D string too short for epiphone frequensator tailpiece

robin3220 · #1 08-02-2011, 08:10 AM

Recently acquired an Epiphone Emporer Regent fitted with their 'Frequensator ' tailpiece and due to the construction of the tail piece I found a problem finding stringsets with a D string long enough too fit on the guitar. Has anyone else come across this problem and/ or could anyone advise me how to deal with this. I can't believe Epiphone would produce an instrument that that cannot be strung!!!

Hope to hear from someone soon.

Robin3220.

SamBooka · #2 08-02-2011, 08:16 AM

google it.. known issue

I made replacement forks. No one has noticed they are not the original and they cost me 5$ for 3 of them.

I never found the article but read that the frequensator was a gimmick to get people to use Epiphone Branded strings (with a long D)

You dont mention what you are looking for, round or flatwound.

EDIT: Oh.. and welcome aboard

63Bigsby · #3 08-02-2011, 08:29 AM

Not sure how easily available at your neck of the woods, but John Pearse makes a jazz guitar nickel wound set with an extra long D. Not only that, but they are pretty much the best strings on the market. I use them on my -49 Emperor. Not sure if there's a flatwound set available though. I've had Pyramid Gold set on the same guitar too, the D string barely made it, but worked out anyway. Those are good too.

Edit: just noticed that the Pearse set was mentioned in another thread:
http://www.juststrings.com/jps-2920.html

robin3220 · #4 08-02-2011, 09:17 AM

Many thanks to both of those who replied to my query.

fws6 · #5 08-02-2011, 10:01 AM

>the frequensator was a gimmick to get people to use Epiphone Branded strings

Yeah, but that was 80 years ago !!! Nowadays most string manufacturers are pretty well aware of Epiphone guitars

Robin what brand strings are you using then ???? I have several Epiphones and all the string sets I tried fit perfectly. I have Daddario J12s, Martin 80/20, Savarez, T.I. etc on mine. All good.

The only time I encountered a string that was too short was on the first batch of TI's, when they were just introduced. When I mailed Tomastik they sent me longer D strings, and nowadays all their sets are perfectly fitting for Epi's too. I never heard of a recent brand of strings that is too short for Epiphone.

hot ford coupe · #6 08-02-2011, 10:17 AM

When I still had my Emperor, I used GHS flatwound set 1000 which is .013 gauge. Then again, I used the instrument with a pickup. If you want to put bronze strings on, I would go to where you normally buy your strings, and ask them if you can see the D string and set it (not string it) against the guitar to see if it will fit. If they refuse to help you, I'd go somewhere else. I hope this helps.

robin3220 · #7 08-02-2011, 10:33 AM

Message to Fws6.

Thanks for your reply to my query. The last strings I fitted are Dunlop Nickel plated steel 10 - 46.( Round) My guitar has a string length of about 98 cm. from the frequensator to the tuning peg and the D string was about 99cm. making stringing not very comfortable. I notice when dealers advertise strings they never quote string length - except John Pearse ( thanks for the info Bigsby!) who does a set with an extra long D but the gauge is a bit heavy for me.

Thanks again for the reply.

fws6 · #8 08-02-2011, 03:06 PM

An extra string length of 1 cm is doable if you make the knot, but certainly not handy. Never tried 010's on a jazz guitar nor played the dunlops. Can I ask why do you use the dunlops ? They seem to be a very bright string targeted almost exclusively at metal players. For the same money DAddario's or Ernie Balls will fit for sure.

robin3220 · #9 08-03-2011, 03:45 AM

Message to Fws6.

The reason I have Dunlops on the guitar is simply that when I got the guitar I thought I would try a set of flat wounds because I was aware that a lot of jazz players prefer them. After putting them on the guitar and playing for a while I decided they were not for me. Yes they provide a smooth sound but I feel that they lose a lot in responsiveness so I decided to change them and I happened to have these Dunlops blying around so I put them on. I agree absolutely that they are not the most uistable for this guitar but I had to get rid of those flat wounds and I won't be buying any more. I ought to explain that although I,ve been playing a long time this is my first jazz type guitar. I've been playing blues for many many years but I always loved swing blues a'la Basie Christian Goodman and Co. and that's why I bought the Regent.

Thanks very much for your advice and suggestions which I'll certainly be following.

R.

fws6 · #10 08-03-2011, 05:01 AM

I had the same experience with flats, they suck the tone right out ;-) Some people swear by them; I play em on my electric archtop (L5CES); but on all the others (mainly acoustic archtops) I have rounds to get a much more lively and responsive tone. Mostly Daddario 013 gauge EJ22 's

mattymel · #11 08-03-2011, 01:57 PM

+1 on the John Pearse "Long D" set. great strings, and not just because they are long enough! i recently also tried a set of Pyramids on my 40' Epi DeLuxe and the D was also long enough. so far they sound great, but they better considering how much they cost.

hot ford coupe · #12 08-03-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattymel

+1 on the John Pearse "Long D" set. great strings, and not just because they are long enough! i recently also tried a set of Pyramids on my 40' Epi DeLuxe and the D was also long enough. so far they sound great, but they better considering how much they cost.

Wow, a 40 Epi Deluxe. I would't mind being seen on a bandstand with that. That's definitely a winner. I just had to mention that.