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I've been using some fender .09s, but I don't like them. Too much twang and buzz. I need to strum harder and they don't handle it well.

Anyone have any recommendations? I'm going for that general punk sound (Sex pistols, joan jett,etc.), but I play some grunge too.

My Guitar is meh, don't want to talk about it

What shape body is your guitar? That will have some bearing on your sound. A Les Paul shape is good for grunge (specifically Soundgarden-type stuff) because the increased resonance make for big fat chords. You can't really go wrong with a strat shape, though. It's a good all-rounder.

Strings? I would go with the heaviest possible gauge you can find - Ernie Ball's are good. You might want to consider a lighter plectrum - that will enable you to direct more power into your strum whilst still providing an even sound. A thicker plectrum will produce more twang. Also, I would have someone check out your guitar - the buzz is more than likely caused by a problem with the neck. You might need to raise the action, or possibly file one of your frets down. Alternatively, it might just need a complete set-up.

Hope this helps.

Punk sound? I think the whole thing about punk is not caring and just playing. As long as you're slightly out of tune, it'll sound punk.

I'm playing a Starcaster, which gets okay sound as is. Hate it though Yeah, it should probably be set up too. Guitar shop said they want like 80$, which is too much for me :3

So probably 11s? I put some d' addario 10s today and the general buzz went away. Had to adjust the saddles too.

Samus_aran115 wrote:I'm playing a Starcaster, which gets okay sound as is. Hate it though Yeah, it should probably be set up too. Guitar shop said they want like 80$, which is too much for me :3

So probably 11s? I put some d' addario 10s today and the general buzz went away. Had to adjust the saddles too.

Get away from a floating tremelo guitar or it will always go out of tune. Strat's aren't great for strumming quickly, an SG wouldn't be bad, Les Paul, Explorer, even LTD guitars. I have a Strat and an LTD KH 602, both with Tremlo (Strat has a floating, the KH has a Floyd Rose) I use GHS and Fender silver bullets. Finding the right strings is definitely a chore.

Yeah. The strat body isn't really naturally fit for fast strumming. Which sucks for Me :3

Mine usually stays in tune fine. Never had a big problem with it. I leave the Trem out because it's a waste of time for what I'm playing.

I'm looking at an Epi Les Paul special right now. Seems good enough for the price.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Ultra-II-Electric-Guitar-104611199-i1383598.gc

Samus_aran115 wrote:Yeah. The strat body isn't really naturally fit for fast strumming. Which sucks for Me :3

Mine usually stays in tune fine. Never had a big problem with it. I leave the Trem out because it's a waste of time for what I'm playing.

I'm looking at an Epi Les Paul special right now. Seems good enough for the price.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Ultra-II-Electric-Guitar-104611199-i1383598.gc

Well, you are playing a Starcaster. Not a bad guitar for a starter's guitar. My Fender is a 70's re-issue. It says in tune except when I decide I need to play it like Ritchie Blackmore.

I would recommend some Epi products, just be sure to hold the exact guitar before you buy it (Epiphone's can have issues with poor fitting Frets on the neck).


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BTW, I use .11 to .46