Robben Ford Discussion

SixStringSoul · Member Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 12

Daved,

D'Addario ".10's" are a lot stiffer on a Strat or Tele than they are on shorter scale guitars (Les Pauls, 335s) - given all the bending he does, does Robben stick with the same gauges on all guitars?

Thanks,
Max

frank0936 · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 6:38 am Post subject: strings

Hi Max,
Daved may take a while to answer this because of his schedule, so I'll jump in and he can confirm or deny later! I asked Robben that at a clinic where he played nothing but the Tele. He said that he uses 10's.
Frank

Bluelobster · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:24 pm Post subject: how strange

Since i've a Squier Esprit my regular choice of strings (addario 10-46) feel
like super slinky, i'm gonna try 50 to 11. Might be the scale .
_________________
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=147748

Daved · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:29 am Post subject:

You are correct, Frank. I AM pretty busy at the moment (Did the Xmas Jam with Robben and ABB, didn't finish loading the trucks till daylight, 3 hours later flew to Savannah and started rehearsals with Gregg at his house.)
...and Robben DOES use 10's on the Tele.
Thanx for filling in. I know, and appreciate, you long-termers covering my back for me.

But I do have a moment this morning so, here's some quick info :

Robben uses D'Addario 10s on all of his electrics.
I prefer their new 'model' (EKXL 110) with a drop of solder on the winding around the ball. I've done that by hand with troublesome guitars in the past and wished I could do that with all my string sets... but it's a time consuming pain, so I'm glad to see D'Addario doing it for me.

I think he considers of more importance, the consistency in string gauges... and variations in tension from one model to another, I believe, Robben just accepts as part of the character of the individual guitar.

I find that Robben is very focused on how a guitar naturally and comfortably feels when he's trying new ones out and less on how a guitar might feel if he changes & does things to it to bring it into his comfort zone.

SixStringSoul · Member Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 12

Thanks, Daved, for the great reply - I'll seek out a set of those D'adds with the drop of solder.

My only practical problems I have with .10s on my Strat is that it makes it very tough to do minor third bends (a la B.B.) on the high string and the D string is a bit too stiff, but I'm thinking of maybe tuning down to Eb for awhile cause .09s just don't have the punch I like.

Thanks again!

Max

ltkojak · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:38 pm Post subject:

SixStringSoul · Member Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 12

Thanks - strange to think that they are able to make strings in differences of only 5/1000ths of an inch!

Max

ZenOvertone · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:14 am Post subject:

The EXL120+ set is very good, just a slightly stiffer .0095 and .0115 at the top, the middle two (I think) are the same as a standard set of 9's and an .034 and .044 on the bottom.

frank0936 · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:54 am Post subject: string guage

I used 11's on my Strat and 10's on everything else. My high E sounded a bit thin with 10's so I went to the higher guage. I don't have any problems with bends on any of the strings. I guess it's what you get used to.
Frank

tedro · Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2008 Posts: 66

frank0936 · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:19 am Post subject: Strings

Mine is a Clapton Strat so the bridge is blocked. I just don't feel much difference in one gauge, except for on really extreme bends.
Frank

FenderAmpFan · Member Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Posts: 27

My feeling is that no two guitars are the same. On some guitars the the same strings seem to bend easier than others. On guitars with a stop tail piece I was once told that the tail piece should be screwed down all the way to the body. The more the angle of the strings from the tail piece to the bridge, the easier the strings will bend. Not sure if its true, just something I heard. Plus the guitar sounds better if the tail piece is resting on the body.