Category: Jam Session
So since I've been gone from playing musiuc, a whole lot has happened in string technology. I've been listening to reviews of strings online and been fascinated.
So on any of your stringed instruments, what strings do you use and why?
I've seen some chrome-plated flatwounds, I realize people have their attitudes about flats. But I found their sound quite interesting.
I always liked nickel, but my hands used to always wear that down. They now say the way they do nickel is a lot better and lasts longer. So looking at some GHS boomers heavy gauge.
Another interesting note for bass playing: Seems everyone nowadays wants to play light or even *extra-light* gauge strings. I understand slappers would want that. But boomers are the only ones I've found right now who actually have heavies. Heavies on a P bass with a maple neck really project well. But I guess maybe I'm a bit old school. Anyway, they've also got a round core which has more give.
Anyway, curious what strings you all use, and equally curious why.
I use elixirs, either lite or custom lite, because I do a lot of bending notes on
acoustic and especially electric playing things. on my 12 string, I have dindairos,
medium gauge, but i'm thinking of getting lites if I can
So I'm curious about the Elixirs:
On your electric, does it make your guitar buzz more? I've heard this, due to the coating, the strings don't ground properly. For the uninitiated, strings on an electric -- solid body electric -- need to go to ground, usually on the bridge. I've thought about Elixirs, they have a nickel set. But have heard things about the 60 cycle hum they create, and wondering if that's truth or fiction.
mine don't really hum unless your really picking hard at it, and I mean, really
going at it, but even if they do, it doesn't really bother me
It is my understanding that electric guitar hum is a matter of the type of pick-up. I think most recently built guitars use hum-bucker pick-ups which do not hum.
I love flat wound strings especially for my bass. They play more easily in my view. I have flat wound on one of my electric guitars also, which works well if you play hard. I like light gage strings nowadays for both my acoustic and electric guitars. I find as I get older that I have a more sensitive touch on guitars, and the light strings allows me more finness. I use Do'Adario usually, but I don't think the brand matters all that much. I first converted to light strings because my luthier said fine instruments should not be insulted by medium or worse heavy gage strings. LOL
true, if you have the humbuckers in the electrics no they wont hum, but if you have the single coil pickups like the telicasters and strats do then yes you will get it, but you get somewhat of a brighter tone then you would with a humbucker one. My sheckter hell raser has I believe, active e m g pickups in them that need a battery to function, but let me tell you now, that thing can really put out some sound, even more sound then what my older j turser could put out, which was fine for me. my 1960's or 1970's ventura guitar has a fishmen external pickup inside the sound hole, it's ok, but you get a 60 hurt hum if you have the gain up too high. my seegal 12 string has I believe quontom pickups in it.
I have an autoharp, and can't get prices on strings. If you know how much that many strings are, please tell me, or whatever?????
Blessings,
Sarah
Sarah go to AutoharpStore.com I think it is, they have strings for that.
Yup, guys I have the single coil split pickups universally known for on the P bass.
Solid maple neck and body. Pretty low end, volume knob and tone control. But I always found I could get a lot of the same tones using finger placement in front of or behind the pickups, directly on the bridge for that characteristic P bass growl, etc.
Pasco, interesting about both the gauge and the flats. I played with flats for a while when I was younger, but that was swing stuff. Not sure they'd work on 80s rock, though I do know the chrome flats produced by D'Addario are better for that.
For bass, the problem I remember when I was younger was getting lighter gauge strings to project well. If that's a technique issue, that can be practiced and learned. But it's a common complaint I've heard from players who aren't jazz or funk. Of course now they have light mediums, or medium lights, which might be a good compromise.
I know the jazz guys who use 6 or 7 string basses all use lights, I don't actually think you could do anything else frankly. No matter what gauge you use, that low B string on a 5 string is gonna be floppy.
I really do like the idea of the coated strings. Probably get me a set next paycheck. Elixir has some nickel sets and I've always found nickel to sound nice. My opinion of plain steel for bass strings is it's glorified piano wire. Nickel just has that depth and warmth that really makes a difference. And with Elixir's coating, nickel would really last for a change.
Thanks. I'll talk to someone, because I am about as good at looking online as a newborn, or my 10-month-old Niece. So, I'll have someone help with that. Thanks bunches!
Blessings,
Stubborn Sarah
Also have someone help you restring your autoharp. These are not guitars, they're actually strung a lot more like a piano with the pins, as you know you use a tuning key to tune it.
The tension is extremely high in those things, and the frame, unless it's solid rock maple, can warp.
To restring one of those, you have to undo the pin itself.
It's really rare to have to restring an entire autoharp, the strings don't go dead like on guitars since you're not fingering the strings and you're using finger picks.
If it's an intonation issue -- going out of tune a lot -- might want to first try just tuning it regularly, every day. I know most people just tune the strings they hear going out and leave it at that. But you've got to get them all in tune and keep them that way, so the frame is used to the tension. If that thing warps, you're done, there's nothing more you can do for it.
I'd check with a qualified luthier or someone at a music store. It won't cost you a penny to have them look at it with you right there.
I've always loved how the Elixirs make my acoustics sing. Don't remember which exactly I use between the Polywebs and Nanowebs, but I've tried both and they were both fantastic. Still doing some experimenting on lighter gauge strings for my tele, but for my metal guitars that use the heavier strings I love Cleartones. They make great coated sets that feel and play better than anything I've tried.
Hmm I thought humbuckers were just a bass boost thing. What do flat wound strings look like? Do they still have the grooves on them but in a squar shape?
Flat wound strings feel really smooth, almost like the string isn't wound at all. If you do a lot of sliding, they are a lot quieter. Hum buckers are named for what they do. They do not hum, and also do not feed back easily.