While long and wordy, there's just way too many variables that affect the tone. One of the glaringly big omissions was that he only used the strings from the same brand, DiAddario. I think there may have been a noticeable difference in the tone between different brands vs different gauges from the same company.

Honestly, I didn't hear any noticeable tone differences in any of the sets other than it was obviously harder to bend those heavier gauges. One of the most noticeable things was trying to grab that high note bend on the heavier gauge strings. It was painful to listen.... it reminded me of the devil's guitar player, Jack Butler trying to get that high note.....

It comes down to one thing. How it feels to the player and what you like. I prefer for electric the Ernie Ball Super Slinky .009 set. They have a good working life, sound good, especially when new, have a good comfortable feel, and bend nicely. For my acoustics, I do like a heavier gauge because the strings make a bigger tone difference on the acoustic than they do on the electric. I'm not as consistant with the brand of acoustic strings as I am with my choice in electric strings. They vary in brand and starting gauge is either .010 or .011. I'm not as interested in the bend-ability factor of the acoustic strings as I am in the overall tone. For a long time I was using EBSS .009s on my acoustic but it really didn't deliver the acoustic tone like I wanted so I've moved to heavier strings. I don't bend, I strum. Higher action, but it sounds good.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.