How many use a .012 G# on E9th???

[Billy Carr]

use only .012 for 3rd string. D'Addario nickel wound is all I use. No problems at all including zero breakage. thanks !!!

[Tony Prior]

11's for decades no issues , I change them every 2 to 3 weeks along with the 5 (.17)

We cannot judge how long a 3rd string lasts by the gauge, it's the player and HOW MANY B PEDAL mashes does it take to break. If your Steel sits in the case unplayed with no B pedal mashes the string may last 20 years. Each player is different.

11 vs 12 may very well offer a tad of sustain if we can even notice it. I can't tell the difference. As Fred states, it really is just a personal preference.

IF there was a technical issue regarding breakage, standard sets would not have 11's after 60 years !

[Hook Moore]

.012 here.

[Fred Justice]

.012 here.

[Wayne Quinn]

the only time I ever broke a 011 gauge string was a gig I was playing at one night and on the way home I slid off the road a guy happened to come by with his tractor, and all I had for a tow rope was a extra 011 gauge string to use how ever the first tug he gave me the dam thing broke I all ways used 011 my self though

[Richard Sinkler]

the only time I ever broke a 011 gauge string was a gig I was playing at one night and on the way home I slid off the road a guy happened to cum by with his tractor, and all I had for a tow rope was a extra 011 gauge string to use how ever the first tug he gave me the dam thing broke I all ways used 011 my self though

Next time, try a .012

I put a .012 on my Carter and made a trip to Montana for a couple of gigs last weekend (8/2-8/3), and countless hours of practice before I went. Still going strong.

[Jon Light]

I observe exactly zero difference in breakage between .011 & .012 .

12 has been my preference for 20 years. Not 'by a long shot'. Just a preference.

[Dale Rottacker]

I used .011’s for about 35+ years, and even tried an .010 once or twice, but over the last 5+ years or so I’ve been using a .012, with nothing but positive results.... i’m using the D’Addario NYXL Nickels and from my first use of them have fallen in love with them... To me the .012 has a little fuller sound without twang that I fought a little with the .011’s, they also feel better to me on my picks.

[Erv Niehaus]

Yes, an added richness with a 12, and for additional richness try a Live Steel String.
Erv

[Wayne Quinn]

Richard all jokes aside I think I will try a 012. I really never put much thought into any other string for the G sharp although I did use 010 on my Sho Bud quit a few years ago but broke a lot of them.

[joe long]

Mike Cass turned me on to the 12th on the 3rd string years ago.

[Paul Pearson]

Been using 12s for years

[Roger Rettig]

I went to the .012" several years ago and loved it immediately. I always felt that the .011" sounded 'thinner' than its neighbours; (well, I KNOW it is thinner, but the tone never matched the other strings to my ears).

If I'm working a show I'll change the 3rd and the 5th every week. Missing the 3rd for a song or two isn't a big problem but losing the 5th? Disaster!

[Jack Ritter]

I use a 11/ 1/2 Live Steel string and seldom ever break one. Great sound for me.

[Jack Hanson]

Wow, am I the only one around who still strings up with a .010 on the high G#? Been doing that since the '70s, since that's what came in the sets marketed by the Emmons Guitar Company. Sounded fine to me then, and still sounds fine to me now. No more issues with breakage on the .010s than with any of the other strings. Either then or now. If it ain't broke, I don't try to fix it.