Best string guage for "galloping" (a la Jon Schaffer)?

Question:Assuming you're tuned 1/2 step down on a guitar with a 25.5" scale. I'm currently using 9's, and as you might imagine they're fairly loose. I think Jon Schaffer uses 10's, but the BC Rich's I've seen him using lately have 24.75" scales, so his would be fairly loose too, right?

Basically, should it be theoretically easier to gallop (Dante's Inferno, When the Night Falls, The Coming Curse, etc) with looser strings or tighter strings? I know it's a matter of preference, but surely one should be easier for your 'average joe', right?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Assuming you're tuned 1/2 step down on a guitar with a 25.5" scale. I'm currently using 9's, and as you might imagine they're fairly loose. I think Jon Schaffer uses 10's, but the BC Rich's I've seen him using lately have 24.75" scales, so his would be fairly loose too, right?

Basically, should it be theoretically easier to gallop (Dante's Inferno, When the Night Falls, The Coming Curse, etc) with looser strings or tighter strings? I know it's a matter of preference, but surely one should be easier for your 'average joe', right?

I tune drop D down 1/2 step, and I use 11's. To me, for whatever reason, they feel pretty slinky and loose... I went up to 11's cuz 10's were just too lose, I kept on bending them out of tune.

the key is not so much what gauge will always work but matching up your picking and playing style with the right gauge.

a more delicate, controlled pick attack will use 9's no problem. someone who's a little sloppier, and I admit that I can fit that bill, could benefit from slightly heavier gauges from the perspective that a heavier attack won't detune thicker strings.

honestly, I might even go up another gauge - my high strings still feel pretty loose to me, and it's kinda weird. i won't go the "custom" route cuz extra fatty low strings with skinny hi strings really throws me, but straight 12's just might do it for me. it's in the back of my mind, at least.

ideally, you should play lightly. playing with a short, controlled attack will give you better speed. of course, i don't play speed metal, i play progressive rock. i don't have to play anything faster than a 16th note, and I love to really dig in to my chords.

my two cents.

Saul

I use Eb tuning (That's a half step down)

My guitars have different scales, but I use the same strings for both.

I use 9s.