Tuning Machines.

[dave.king1]

G'day Rob,

I don't use locking tuners but being of a vintage not far removed from yourself and just coming back to playing I have been using 9s for the last few months on my 3 main 6 stringers because my fingers were struggling with bending but have just gone back up to 10s which I thought I'd never do.

Getting a much fuller sound and a bit more snap and clarity, new strings obviously help but the set I took off were only about 2 months old but were played for around an hour most days.

They also seem to be pretty stable from a tuning perspective.

[Rob L]

G'day Rob,

I don't use locking tuners but being of a vintage not far removed from yourself and just coming back to playing I have been using 9s for the last few months on my 3 main 6 stringers because my fingers were struggling with bending but have just gone back up to 10s which I thought I'd never do.

Getting a much fuller sound and a bit more snap and clarity, new strings obviously help but the set I took off were only about 2 months old but were played for around an hour most days.

They also seem to be pretty stable from a tuning perspective.

Hiya dave!!
I was thinking of going to 10's when I still was playing on stage cause I tended to be heavy handed when I play and was breaking high "E" strings too often. Now that I am retired from live performing I'm not as heavy handed. Not breaking strings now.
Also if I didn't bend so much I probably wouldn't need lockers.
Not sure why but my Tele seems to stay in tune even with my bending.
It was difficult for me to find the right strings. As the only guitarist in my bands I needed something good for the lead work but also the rhythm. For some reason I gravitated towards 42-09.
I do know I won't use any brand other than D'Addario.

Sidenote: One really nice about not playing live. I don't have to change my strings as often.