# The Edge on guitar string gauges

> The Edge says light strings sacrifice tone, but others disagree.
- Title: The Edge on guitar string gauges · Guitar World | Shortify
- Summary: The Edge says light strings sacrifice tone, but others disagree. The Edge claims light guitar strings harm tone, but B.B. King and others prefer lighter…
- Keywords: the edge, guitar strings, string gauge, b.b. king, billy gibbons, stevie ray vaughan, peter townshend, jimi hendrix, roger mayer, Edge, guitar, string
- Source: Guitar World — https://guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/the-edge-on-string-gauges
- Published: 2026-10-29T12:58:25+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: the edge, guitar strings, string gauge, b.b. king, billy gibbons, stevie ray vaughan, peter townshend, jimi hendrix, roger mayer
## The Edge's 1982 stance
The Edge claimed light strings sacrifice tone in 1982, saying players have become lazy with string choices.

> light strings are a bit of a fallacy. people have gone a bit lazy now
## The Edge's preferred strings
The Edge used Ernie Ball 10 gauge on Explorer and Gibson 11s on Strat in 1982.
## B.B. King's advice
B.B. King advised Billy Gibbons to use lighter strings for better tone after testing.

> light is all right
## Stevie Ray Vaughan's preference
Stevie Ray Vaughan preferred thicker strings for fuller sound on his guitar.
## Jimi Hendrix's string setup
Hendrix used heavy strings with specific gauges for optimal tone on his Fender Stratocasters.
## Roger Mayer's insight
Roger Mayer explained heavy strings create more electrical output for better sound balance.

> the electrical output of the strings is dependent on the square of the diameter
## John Mayer's view
John Mayer said string gauges don't matter and called the debate silly.
## Key takeaway

The Edge claims light guitar strings harm tone, but B.B. King and others prefer lighter strings for better sound.