Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Good Gauge for Bluegrass

#1

Hey Y’All

What’s a good gauge for Bluegrass

Thanks

4 Likes
#2

Mediums (.013 - .056) are most popular from what I have seen. Some folks prefer light top/medium bottoms, but I like straight mediums.

3 Likes
#3

I’m curious @Mike_R why do most people tend to go towards a medium versus a light gauge. Is it for a darker tone, or just that mediums last longer than lights?

2 Likes
#4

I switched from lights to mediums several years ago when I was first getting into playing bluegrass, and immediately noticed a much bigger, more powerful sound and a fuller tone. The mediums felt much stronger in general, which is what you want for hard-driving bluegrass. They’re also the standard used by most professional bluegrass players (at least on guitar, for what I know). Just my opinion!

4 Likes
#5

Ok thanks, that makes sense. I’ll have to try them sometime!

1 Like
#6

Tone, and don’t forget you’re playing next to us banjo pickers. If strapping on electrical wire would help drown out the banjo, some guitarist would do it. :laughing:

4 Likes
#7

I too think tone/volume would be the most often given reason. One other thing that I notice… when playing with a typical BG pick (rigid) and digging in, lights deflect more. It’s a different feel.

All that said, it is personal preference and some instruments just sound better with a particular string tension. Play the strings that you like!

2 Likes
#8

Thanks all for your help… take care

2 Likes
#9

The guitar has the least powerful sound in a bluegrass band and medium strings (in my opinion) project more than light guage strings

4 Likes