String Gauges 101
Why does choosing the correct gauge of strings matter?
Matching the string gauge that your instrument was delivered setup with can save you a number of headaches.
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Use the String Finder to make sure you have the correct gauge for your guitar!
1.
Your guitars neck and bridge are setup in equilibrium with the overall string tension.
​Changing the string gauge will cause the neck to bow forward or back, changing the relief and - as a consequence - raising or lowering the action.
​An adjustment to the truss rod is needed to counter this.
2.
Tremolo bridges are similarly balanced with string tension, requiring an adjustment to the spring claw in the rear cavity of the guitar to re-balance.
​This can affect both action and intonation as the saddle moves around the tremolo's pivot point.
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3.
Hardtail (non-tremolo) guitars are unaffected by the above but a change in the string gauge will nonetheless affect intonation as the tension and vibrating mass are changed.
​This requires adjustment of the bridge or individual saddles fore or aft, dependant on whether they are flat or sharp respectively.
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4.
Due to their differing scale lengths, different brands of guitar "feel" about the same under the hand with 9s (F style) or 10s (G style).
This is how they are generally set up from the factory.
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5.
Packaged string sets are designed to give balanced tension across all strings.
Mixing and matching gauges will get you by in a pinch but generally doesn't feel great to play.
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6.
Never put steel 'acoustic' strings on a guitar designed for nylon 'classical' strings. Unless that is you want to pull the bridge off the sound board... and that's the tame option!
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