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Post by Admin on Feb 21, 2014 16:02:30 GMT -5
Here's a poser for all of us guitar pickers.
Do you believe that to get the best tone, it's best to match the strings (gauge and material) to the guitar?
What made me think of this today was in looking back at the strings I typically used on the Martin, Gibson, Tele, Les Paul and Grammer, each was different. I always thought that to get the best tone from the individual instrument, it was best to buy individual strings (not sets) and match to the guitar. The Gibson J45 seemed to have bracing and top material that was suited to the heavier wound strings - .050, .038, .028, .017 but with .009 and .011 for the E and B strings. Now for the Martin D28, they were all lights - .009-.042 and my Grammer acoustic sounded best with .009, .011, .016, .026, .036, .046. The Tele was always mediums.
Am I nuts?
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Post by geezer on Feb 22, 2014 18:13:15 GMT -5
Yes, Jim, I do. I'm a firm believer in trying different strings on my guitars. For instance, my Lowden sounded awful with Elixir or D'Addario strings but sang a sweet song with DR Rare Mediums. My Taylor GC bodied guitars sound best with John Pearse PB Lights. My regal Duolian likes D'Addario's, My harp guitar likes MArtin PB lights on the guitar side and John Pearse PB strings on the sub-bass strings. My banjo likes JP, my mandolin hasn't yet had enough string changes to decide. you just have to be willing to spend a few bucks to decide...it's money well spent!
Geezer
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Post by Steven B on Feb 23, 2014 12:23:39 GMT -5
Now for the Martin D28, they were all lights - .009-.042 and my Grammer acoustic sounded best with .009, .011, .016, .026, .036, .046. TJ, You were using .009 - .042 on a Martin? Was the 3rd string wound or solid? I don't know if I've heard of a set of acoustic strings that were that light. I know you are a very accomplished flatpicker and I've heard your D28 from back in the day. To get that type of tone and volume, I would think that you were using .013 -.056 back then. To me, really light gauge acoustic strings never really vibrated the top of my Martin or got the full "tone" out of the instrument. I think I told you that I basically can't play guitar any more because of the strength I lost in my left hand/arm during my heart attack/problems. If I were to change strings and go back to these ultra-light sets, it may make it easier for me to properly note the instrument. I would appreciate your confirming that you actually did use .009s on your acoustic and I would love to know the brand name too. Ain't being nosey, just trying to find something to assist me in playing the music I've loved for 60+ years and miss terribly! Thanks, (you ole' knuckle draggin' redneck!) Steve
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Post by Admin on Feb 23, 2014 22:30:17 GMT -5
Yeah Steve, I got them from my local store - DR nickle True Blue. Now my D28 is over 60 years old (I think I bought it in 49 or 50? The top is pretty thin and I think it's on the 3rd refret. I probably did use 11s at first but for my tinny ears, the 10s or 9s were a little better and ssure a lot easier to bend, now I did use heavier lower wound strings, becsuse the Martin was always a little muddy on the low end to my ears.
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Post by Steven B on Feb 24, 2014 12:43:09 GMT -5
Yep.....back in the 50s and 60s, you could go in a lot gas stations and buy individual Black Diamond strings. They were hard on your fingers and would go dead quicker than a cat could lick his hine-end. I don't know what it was about the 2nd string (B), it seemed like they would break within a week or two. In fact, I used to wear sun glasses to change strings. Several times I had the B string break as I was initially bringing it up to pitch. I was always afraid that one of them rascals would hit me in the eye. Never did, but I did get popped in the face a time or two when changing strings.
Bringing back a lot of memories today! SB
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Post by Admin on Feb 24, 2014 13:35:46 GMT -5
I'd almost forgot bout that b string. So, it wasn't just me?
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Post by steve on Mar 19, 2014 16:25:39 GMT -5
My Gibson ES 339 likes DR's it would seem. My Strats and Tele likes Rotosounds but tend to get Elixirs. As for guages then I use use 10's on all of them.
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Post by Admin on Apr 30, 2014 20:09:13 GMT -5
The Best Slide Guitar Strings
When playing slide guitar, a medium-to-heavy gauge of string thickness will provide a richer, fuller sound and better contact with the slide. The action on the guitar should be set higher than for conventional playing to avoid unwanted fret noises. The best slide guitar strings for acoustic or electric guitar are therefore medium-to-heavy gauge and made from bronze or nickel for a bright, warm tone.
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