What strings on a hollowbody?

[matonanjin]

I have no idea what strings are on my new PRS Hollowbody.  I don't remember where, not here, someone was talking about using heavier strings on a hollowbody for the tone.   You hollowbody guys @NeilES335 and especially PRS hollowbody guys,  @CapM @gotto, what strings do you use?  Heavier than what you would use on a solid body?

I'm really curious because on my Strat and PRS Pauls I have gone to 9's at least temporarily.  While working on bending I wanted to have something a little lighter while developing the skill and finger strength.

[CapM]

Well, the strings PRS puts on in the factory are 11's with Wound G.  I think that's what I put on mine, so I don't record any solos with it. 

[NeilES335]

2 hours ago, matonanjin said:

I have no idea what strings are on my new PRS Hollowbody.  I don't remember where, not here, someone was talking about using heavier strings on a hollowbody for the tone.   You hollowbody guys @NeilES335 and especially PRS hollowbody guys,  @CapM @gotto, what strings do you use?  Heavier than what you would use on a solid body?

I'm really curious because on my Strat and PRS Pauls I have gone to 9's at least temporarily.  While working on bending I wanted to have something a little lighter while developing the skill and finger strength.

Ron; I'm currently using DÁddario Chrome XL Jazz Light Flat Wound  11/50 on my Godin Archtop, (11.15.22w.30.40.50 ; Like) and DÁddario XL Nickel Round Wound 10/46 Regular Light gauge on my Gibson ES 335. ( Im not so sure I like these that much.. I think I'll likely go back to Gibson Brite Wire Nickel 10-46 next change, although I hear the DÁddario NYXL's a very good) These really arent any different than you'd use on a Les Paul I think... 

For acoustic (1969 Ovation) I like the Martin Acoustic SP Bronze 11/52

[V7#5b9]

@matonanjin According to their PRS SETUP GUIDE the non-piezo hollow body models are factory set up with 10 - 46 gauge strings.

[CapM]

35 minutes ago, V7#5b9 said:

@matonanjin According to their PRS SETUP GUIDE the non-piezo hollow body models are factory set up with 10 - 46 gauge strings.

Interesting.  It conflicts with their products page: http://www.prsguitars.com/index.php/electrics/core/hollowbody_ii_2018

[CapM]

I have a tag from the manufacturer in my case.  Does yours still have one?

[gotto]

When I bought mine, PRS had  a promotion that included a free 12 month supply of strings with my purchase. They shipped me...... all 11's for my guitar. I still have 10 months left.

Greg

[matonanjin]

20 hours ago, CapM said:

I have a tag from the manufacturer in my case.  Does yours still have one?

Sheez.  Why didn't I think of that?  (Please don't answer that.)  It came with 10's, as @V7#5b9 suggested it might.  I think it sounds good and so I'll keep them on for a while.  When I need to replace them I might try some wound ones, wound G, that type just as an educational experience.  I'll keep 9s on the Strat and Pauls to work bending.

Thanks all.

[CapM]

4 minutes ago, matonanjin said:

Sheez.  Why didn't I think of that?  (Please don't answer that.)  It came with 10's, as @V7#5b9 suggested it might.  I think it sounds good and so I'll keep them on for a while.  When I need to replace them I might try some wound ones, wound G, that type just as an educational experience.  I'll keep 9s on the Strat and Pauls to work bending.

Thanks all.

I still think it's weird that the piezo and non-piezo have different gauges, at least they did back then.

[Dan Brown]

On 1/29/2018 at 1:09 PM, matonanjin said:

I have no idea what strings are on my new PRS Hollowbody.  I don't remember where, not here, someone was talking about using heavier strings on a hollowbody for the tone.   You hollowbody guys @NeilES335 and especially PRS hollowbody guys,  @CapM @gotto, what strings do you use?  Heavier than what you would use on a solid body?

I'm really curious because on my Strat and PRS Pauls I have gone to 9's at least temporarily.  While working on bending I wanted to have something a little lighter while developing the skill and finger strength.

I have D'Addario Flat wounds on my ES 355, they sound nice and minimize squeaking when you are sliding barre chords. A different feel in a good way.

[gotto]

6 hours ago, CapM said:

I still think it's weird that the piezo and non-piezo have different gauges, at least they did back then.

Mine also has a piezo.

Greg

[Tony cash]

Been trying Ernie Ball 10-52 skinny top heavy bottom on my ES 335 for first time last week.  Sounds nice to me. I was recommended them by a guitar tech. Feels good under my fingers. But it's pretty subjective to each player and their preference. 

[Kyran]

I've been using ernie ball 10's on the gretsch and they work very well my buddies are always saying, what did you play then? that sounded great.

just thinking i tried 9's on the gretsch and i needed to reset it but they were not as good as the 10's so i had to set it up again when i swapped back

 

kyran

 

Edited February 3, 2018 by Kyran
another thought

[Mike Zatirka]

I have a Hollow-body Epiphone Emperor Ii that I bought used. (it was identical to the model they were selling then as the Joe Pass Model, just without his signature on the Pick Guard).

It had 10's when I bought, and I continued to  always use those as they sounded/felt good.  Before taking it in for a set-up, I called Epi's Customer Service Number, and they told me that they recommended 11's on that guitar.  Turns out the Luthier I went to also recommended 11's.  I had him set it up with 11's, and I definitely like it better now than with the previous 10's.

 

[columbo]

Once again great advice by all .. but I always think of what ZZ Top was told by BB King when asked about what strings he uses.." why you working so hard use lighter strings man" .. I thought that was sound advice from a great player... BB   11;s do sound richer to me. 

Edited November 10, 2018 by columbo

[Six String]

6 minutes ago, columbo said:

Once again great advice by all .. but I always think of what ZZ Top was told by BB King when asked about what strings he uses.." why you working so hard use lighter strings man" .. I thought that was sound advice from a great player... BB   11;s do sound richer to me. 

Apparently Billy took the advice to heart because the inter webs say he plays 7's now.

My touch is so heavy I can easily fret a note sharp on 10's in the heat of battle.  I think I'd be all over the place with 9's and can't imagine playing 7's.

[columbo]

Just wanted to add something I heard from several great guitar players too.. and since I am no expert its just what I heard. They have said reportedly its more about the amplifier than strings , if you have a good amplifier and can dial in sounds it works good with any type strings. Just more food for thought. 

[NeilES335]

On 1/30/2018 at 3:47 PM, Dan Brown said:

I have D'Addario Flat wounds on my ES 355, they sound nice and minimize squeaking when you are sliding barre chords. A different feel in a good way.

I like these strings too, the guage of the wound G makes them tough to make whole step bends to pitch. The flats are generally used for jazz where these bends arent played often, so there, no problem. So... I put round sounds on my ES335 for all around playing and flats on my ES137 for jazz etc.  That way I het to choose.

[matonanjin]

3 hours ago, Six String said:

Apparently Billy took the advice to heart because the inter webs say he plays 7's now....

A couple things.  First off, regarding Billy I remember reading somewhere that he has some health issues and that is part of the reason he uses lighter strings.  I don't remember where I read it and, let's consider the source, the interwebs.  So this cannot be more nebulous.  And very likely not true.  But I'll try and do some checking.

Secondly, since it's my thread,  I'll give an update.  All you guys have suggested, as do other sources I've read,  at least 10's on a hollow body.  But since I'm working on bending, and it seems I am playing this PRS HB more than any other guitar, the last time I had new strings put on I went with 9's, D'Addario NYXL's.  I like them and I really don't feel there is a lot of tone drop off.

My two guitars I play the most, this one and my PRS Paul's, both have 9's now.  I'm getting close on the finger strength on the bends and very like next change I will go back up to 10's on the HB and will probably consider flat wounds.  I'll decide on the Pauls.  My other hollow body, my Gibson 325 (in my profile pic), still has 10's.

[columbo]

a professional guitar player in Band X who we see often swears by NYXL strings loves them and they last and stay in tune longer according to him 

[Randy120]

I recommend using the strings recommended by the manufacturer at least for gauge. You don't need heavy strings for good sound.

Check the Billy Gibbons video below around 3:13 into the video. Billy plays 7's on his guitar, but his tone is plenty heavy.

Billy Gibbons

 

[columbo]

Now that's funny another video of ZZ talking of what BB told him.. glad you saw it too. 

[NeilES335]

3 hours ago, columbo said:

a professional guitar player in Band X who we see often swears by NYXL strings loves them and they last and stay in tune longer according to him 

I found the NYXL 's  very bright sounding... the XL's were a little more to my taste... warmer.. (of course i like warmer... a matter of taste really.