
Marty here with a breakdown of how string gauge actually affects your tone, playability, and even your inspiration. We'll try out everything from buttery 8s to beefy 13s, talk about how pros like Billy Gibbons, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Joe Satriani set up their guitars, and I’ll even share what I use myself.
You’ll learn:
⦿ The difference between light, medium & heavy gauges
⦿ How to choose the right strings for blues, rock, jazz, or drop tuning
⦿ Why hybrid sets might be your best option
Shout-out to my friends at @daddarioandco for teaming up with me for World String Change Day! Try something new and feel the difference.
More Guitar Resources:
🎵 Get my FREE Guitar Guide PDF—packed with chords, scales, triads, arpeggios, and more:
🎸 More Guitar Lessons & FREE Courses:
Follow me everywhere:
Check out the Epiphone Marty Schwartz ES-335 Guitar -
Free Boss Katana Patches -
My Favorite Guitar + Filming Gear at Sweetwater
My Favorite Guitar + Filming Gear at Amazon
Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. The link above is an affiliate link, that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission on.
0:00 – Why You Should Change Your Strings
0:46 – 8–38 Strings: Super Light, Bluesy Feel
2:15 – 9–42 Strings: Classic Light Gauge
2:47 – 9.5–44 Strings: The In-Between Option
3:31 – 10–46 Strings: Marty’s Go-To Set
5:04 – 10–52 Strings: Light Top, Heavy Bottom (Rock Setup)
5:55 – 11–49 Strings: Medium Gauge for Tone + Control
6:32 – 13–56 Strings: SRV-Style Heavy Tone
8:09 – Do You Have to Pick One? (Custom Sets Explained)
9:00 – Final Thoughts + World String Change Day!