From Guitar World · · 50s
Phil Collen's 13-Gauge String Journey
Phil Collen credits Gary Moore's Peter Green Les Paul for his switch to heavy guitar strings.
In brief
Phil Collen credits Gary Moore's Peter Green Les Paul for his switch to heavy guitar strings. Phil Collen switched to 13-gauge guitar strings after seeing Gary Moore's Peter Green Les Paul during Def Leppard's Pyromania tour. Originally reported by Guitar World.
Phil Collen's String Switch
![Phil Collen [left] plays his new Jackson Pro Series PC1-E onstage, and [right] the late Gary Moore in 1995, with Greeny, the Les Paul Standard now owned by Kirk](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wY8SZftfcWqPrMrj2LC4aW-2400-80.jpg)
Phil Collen switched to heavy guitar strings after seeing Gary Moore's Peter Green Les Paul during Def Leppard's Pyromania tour.
“I went into his dressing room and saw the famous Peter Green Les Paul.”
Gary Moore's Influence
Gary Moore suggested Phil Collen try his Peter Green Les Paul guitar during a jam session.
“Do you want to play it?”
String Gauge Progression
Collen started with 10-gauge strings, then moved to 11s, 12s, and finally 13s over ten years.
“I use 13s to 54s now.”
Heavy Strings Benefits
Collen says heavier strings strengthen his fingers and allow him to play with more intensity.
“Your fingers get stronger, and I like being able to really lay into the guitar.”
Other Guitarists
Stevie Ray Vaughan, Malcolm Young, The Edge, Joe Bonamassa, and Jim Adkins use heavy guitar strings.
“Stevie Ray Vaughan was the most-famous proponent of strings like power cables.”
What it means
Phil Collen switched to 13-gauge guitar strings after seeing Gary Moore's Peter Green Les Paul during Def Leppard's Pyromania tour.
