Oh No A Strings Question

[SJS]

Just wondering if anyone is using 9s on their Casino. I don't care what brand they are. I'm switching all of my electric guitars to 9s but in the back of my mind I have a thought that a hollow body might want a heavier string. Just an inquiring mind question because I am torn between 9s and 10s.

 

[FrieAsABird]

Just wondering if anyone is using 9s on their Casino. I don't care what brand they are. I'm switching all of my electric guitars to 9s but in the back of my mind I have a thought that a hollow body might want a heavier string. Just an inquiring mind question because I am torn between 9s and 10s.

I have 10s on my Casinos and lately I’ve been feeling as if I may need thicker ones. Next time I change strings I’ll be putting on 10.5 or 11 gauge strings. I’d imagine 9s to feel too slinky for me.

 

[SouthPaul71]

when I had my Casino set up I had it set up for 10s instead of the 11s I put on after purchase. The 10s are okay, but if I’m honest I think I prefer the solid feel and awesome sound (especially unplugged) of 11s on it. To me it felt like the gauge that belongs on a Casino - or at least on mine.

 

[Charles Carter]

I know a lot of you will get a giggle out of this ...
I have Thomastik George Benson Flat Wound 14s on my Casino.
With the action set as it is, it's as easy to play as any guitar I've got with 10s and it sounds just awesome!
No! This isn't a recommendation, it's just what's happening here.

 

[Maguchi]

Just wondering if anyone is using 9s on their Casino. I don't care what brand they are. I'm switching all of my electric guitars to 9s but in the back of my mind I have a thought that a hollow body might want a heavier string. Just an inquiring mind question because I am torn between 9s and 10s.

My Casino came with 10-46s and they felt and sounded really good on that guitar so I been sticking with those when I change strings. Casinos are hollow body guitars so I like a little bit of string gauge to drive the top of the guitar. On the longer scaled Fender guitars with the slightly higher string tension I use 9-42s quite a bit. With the slightly shorter scale length and resulting softer string tension on Gibsons and Epiphones I like the feel and sound of 10-46s.

 

[steak&chips]

Currently I have got some Elixir 10-46 on mine. They feel nice and got a nice sound, and really can’t complain about them at all. I think were put on some point around about May/June, so might change them in a month or so, and put some 11s on. Depends on the tone/feel you want really - I’m in the mood for a warmer ‘acousticy’ feel and tend to tune down a semi-tone or a full tone.

 

[imnotcreative]

I have some GHS 9,5/42 on my es339 and on my es 335 a set of 10/46

 

[soulman969]

Just wondering if anyone is using 9s on their Casino. I don't care what brand they are. I'm switching all of my electric guitars to 9s but in the back of my mind I have a thought that a hollow body might want a heavier string. Just an inquiring mind question because I am torn between 9s and 10s.

I use half size 9.5-44 or 9.5-46 on all of mine no matter which scale length or body type. Like you I was always debating whether to use 9s or 10s and on which guitars. Half size sets solved that problem.

You might think about trying a set to see how well you like them.

 

[Ed Malone]

I have EB Slinky 8's on my Casino right now, been experimenting with guages, very interesting, I like them...

 

[Space1999]

Well when the Casino’s were introduced the stock string size was 11-49 with a wound G string, If you are looking for authenticity.

I play 11-49’s Elixir Optiweb’s on all my guitars (plain G string). I notice a pretty big tonal difference with them compared to smaller sized strings. And of course they sustain longer and it is very difficult to break them.

You might want to up your pick size if you put 11’s on the Casino to get the full effect of the larger strings IMHO. Anywhere from 1mm on up will do. I use 2mm Dunlops.

If you do change to thicker strings, raise up your stop tail till the strings bend easier except with guitars that have a trapeze tail piece of course.

Pat

 

[BlueSquirrel]

I think that Casinos sound better with 11s but they are for sure way easier to play with 9s. With thin strings such as 9-42s, the top doesn't vibrate / resonate as much.

I'm currently using 10-46 on them but I find Epiphones' guitars (Casino, ES-339 and LP shapes) harder to play in general than Squier / Fender stratocasters or telecasters, although the latters have a longer scale. Could be because of neck shapes or body shapes, I don't know...

I've put 9-42s on my Epi LP Special and it's definitely easier to play and it sounds good too.

 

[tony65x55]

I had 10s on my Casinos and 9s on my Fenders. The 10's started to feel a little heavy and I switched to Enrie Ball 9.5 gauge. No regrets.

 

[Equalphone]

I'd go with 10's Like @Maguchi says, It's a semi-acoustic instrument. You want strings that give you some ring. But, I'm thinking BB King tones. if you mostly play with distortion, it probably doesn't matter.

 

[Equalphone]

I think that Casinos sound better with 11s but they are for sure way easier to play with 9s. With thin strings such as 9-42s, the top doesn't vibrate / resonate as much.

I'm currently using 10-46 on them but I find Epiphones' guitars (Casino, ES-339 and LP shapes) harder to play in general than Squier / Fender stratocasters or telecasters, although the latters have a longer scale. Could be because of neck shapes or body shapes, I don't know...

I've put 9-42s on my Epi LP Special and it's definitely easier to play and it sounds good too.

Strictly speaking, a Fender type 25.5 will have a higher tension that a 24.65 Gibson type scale for a given gauge. A string tension calculator can show you how much: https://tension.stringjoy.com/.

But I agree... the longer scale length always feels a big easier to bend. With a trem on a Strat, you also get the bridge moving. So it takes more bend to get to the note, but it relaxes a bit as you bend, so it "feels" easier even if you're working just as hard in the end.

That said, most of "feel" comes from setup. I've had nearly identical guitars/strings and one felt "easier" to play. So "perfect" (for you) setup is needed.That starts with really level frets. Relief set where you want, preferable lower IMO.

The one key that most people miss: the nut slots at the right height. It's rare to pick up a guitar that has them correct unless it's upscale and has had a serious setup. If they are too high it affects "feel" up and down the neck and the guitar will never seem easy to play.

 

[BlueSquirrel]

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your knowledge with us! It is much appreciated!
Any idea of slot depths you would recommend for an Epiphone Casino ?
I suppose it also depends on fret height and trussrod relief but let's say the neck is straight and the frets are Epiphone's medium jumbos as on the current Casinos and ES-335 / ES-339 ( pretty low, rather vintageish for medium jumbo frets - that is.)