[ study ] Compare Super Slinky and Hendrix Gauge

2022-12-022022-12-14

Introduction

Recently I read the article of Guitar World online. The article is below.

https://www.guitarworld.com/features/secrets-of-jimi-hendrixs-guitar-setup-roger-mayer-interview?utm_content=guitar-world&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflow

According to this article, many guitar players depend on the pickup too much. The string gauge selection is more important than the pickup replacement.

In younger days, I had tested several gauge sets to search one to fit my guitar sound. Finally I fixed it to Ernie Ball Super Slinky ( .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042 ). I have been used it for my every guitar for long time. So, I was interesting in this article and I will try to compare Super Slinky and the gauge that the article said it has been used by Jimi Hendrix ( I called it as “Hendrix Gauge" temporary ) to know how different sound by change of the strings gauge.

Of course this Hendrix gauge set is not listed in the lineups of Ernie Ball String Set at the point of 2nd December 2022. So, I bought each string one by one respectively.

Equipment

I used the same electric guitar and the same amplifier for each play with respective gauge.

Guitar / EVH Wolfgang Special
Amplifier / EVH 5150 ICONIC SERIES 6L6 40W 12×1

Sound Example

No Effects

No Effects with Super Slinky ( .009, .011, 016, 024, .032, 042 )

No Effects with Hendrix Gauge ( .010, .013, .015, .026, .032, .038 )

With MXR Phase90

MXR Phase90 with Super Slinky ( .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042 )

MXR Phase90 with Hendrix Gauge ( .010, .013, .015, .026, 032, .038 )

With JEN Cry Baby

JEN Cry Baby with Super Slinky ( .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042 )

JEN Cry Baby with Hendrix Gauge ( .010, .013, .015, 026, .032, .038 )

Burned

“Burned" is a boost / hard-drive function of EVH 5150 ICONIC SERIES Amplifier. In my impression, once this function is activated, my sound is burned as if driven by my favorite fuzz pedal (Boot-leg Jazz-Fuzz pedal).

Burned with Super Slinky

Burned with Hendrix Gauge

Tapping

Tapping with Super Slinky

Tapping with Hendrix Gauge

Conclusion

In my impression, the Hendrix Gauge strings sound heavier, darker and more dirty than the Super Slinky strings.

Round strings of Super Slinky set are ticker than Hendrix Gauge diameter. But low strings of Hendrix Gauge make thicker sound than Super Slinky low strings.

Hendrix Gauge make fat sound entirely.

If you want to improve your current sound as above, it is recommended to change the gauge of your strings before pickup replacement.