Low volume from replacement top E string?

[avoriaz]

I bought a Nevada Les Paul copy on ebay a few days ago. Today the high pitch E 1st string broke. It looked like a 9 gauge so I replaced it with a 9 from an inexpensive set of top E strings I had.

I know I am supposed to replace all 6 strings at the same time but I am a beginner on a budget trying to save a bit of money.

The volume from this E string is very noticeably lower than the other 5 strings. Acoustically it sounds fine so I think I can eliminate an error in restringing but through the amp it sounds about half the volume of the other strings. The guitar was OK before I broke the string so that really eliminates a guitar problem.

What is the likely problem?

Is the string just cheap rubbish with poor magnetic properties. It was very inexpensive.

Do the magnetic properties of even equally priced or equal quality strings vary greatly and I should stick to matched sets?

Could it be I really need a 10 or even 11? Would this explain such a drop in volume? Is it easy to tell the difference between a 9, 10 and 11 just by looking at it? I have emailed the seller to see if he knows what gauge strings were fitted.

Is buying a set of high E strings a bad idea? Is it better to buy a set with an extra high E 1st string (E A D G B E and another E) or is it better just to swallow the expense of a full set of 6 strings every time a high E breaks? I play at home for myself only.

Finally, I know I probably now need to replace all 6 strings with new. I use 9-42 on my Squier Strat. Should I put the same on the Nevada or try 10s or 11s? I know they can give a fuller sound but are harder to play and may require truss rod and intonation adjustments. I know how to adjust the intonation but I would be nervous of adjusting the truss rod. I am still very inexperienced.

Lots of questions so thanks for reading. Any helpful responses will be much appreciated.

Thanks

Avoriaz

[gfxbss]

Avoriaz,

im not sure why it would be at half volume. i assume it would have to have somthing to do w/ the string. in all honesty, i would suggest buying a whole new set. i understand the budget thing, but $7, atleast where i live, isnt too bad.

one quick thing, if it is your top E, meaning your low E? that would be the 42 gauge(assuming they are 9-42s).

a different gauge would not explain a drop in volume.

buying a set of top E strings? again, may be different where you are at, but where i am you can only buy full sets. the only thing you can buy individual strings for are upright basses.

buying a set of strings for a 7 string wouldnt be the same either. they are not both E strings. the tuing for a 7 string is BEADGBE.

as far as what gauge strings you should use, that is up to you.

if you want a slightly thicker sound, you could possibly try ernie ball hybrid slinkys(orange pack i believe). on the low half they use the traditional gauges for 10s. on the high end they use the gauges for 9s.

HTH

Tyler

[avoriaz]

Thanks Tyler.

By “top E” I meant the 1st string, the thinnest and highest in pitch.

By a 7 string set I did not mean a set for a 7 string guitar. I meant a set for a standard 6 string guitar with an extra E 1st string. E A D G B E and another E. These are widely available in England.

Sorry for the confusion. I will amend my post.

[UnklMickey]

hi Avoriaz,

a lighter gauge string would produce less output.

but how noticeable? i don't know.

then again, same gauge with different materials would too.

maybe the set that is on the guitar had a 10, but i think you would notice the lighter tension on the new string.

and if it was supposed to be an 11, the 9 would seem VERY "bendy" in comparison.

if you can ask the seller what brand and gauge the strings were, that would be good info to have.

if they were 9s, then i'd be likely to stick with his brand.

or at least try a different inexpensive brand.

a Les Paul has a slightly shorter scale length than a Strat.

i think you can go up one size on strings on the 'Paul, and have about the same tension as the Strat.

i haven't actually looked at tension charts, i'm just guessing here


unk

[gfxbss]

ahh, thank you. i was wondering why you were worried about breaking your 6th string so much. ive been playing 5 years and have only broken one of those twice.

i dont personally think that a drop in gauge would be very noticable. as i stated before EB makes a hybrid set. if the GBE strings all had half of the output, then they probably wouldnt be manufactured like that. IMHO is that material would be the key.

Tyler