String Recommendations for Comins GCS-1?

[rpjazzguitar]

I'd appreciate any advice on the following.

I play a Comins GCS-1 (similar to a 335). I string it with 11 13 16 24 32 42. Very light. That's because of arthritis and, to some extent, the stop tailpiece. I haven't been sensitive to brand. I buy Fender 09's throw the 009 away and buy a 13 separately. I haven't paid attention to which model of Fender string.

Two things I'm trying to improve.

I'm satisfied with the feel of the guitar. I'm happy with the sound of the 11, 13 and 16, but, when I transition to the D string (24) the sound is noticeably duller.

Presumably, this is because I have a plain G and a wound D. I like the sound of the unwound G and I'm willing to put up with some tuning difficulty with the G string.

But, is there a way I can improve the sound of the D string? If an unwound D existed I'd try it, but how can I get closer to that?

I don't care so much about the A and low E, as long as they aren't boomy, so I have the pickup lowered on the bass side.

The second issue has to do with tuning stability on the low E string. The pitch wobbles, according to the electronic tuner. I'm assuming it's because it's a 42. A secondary factor may be a certain looseness in the fit of the bridge on the posts. I've shimmed it, and may need to do that again. My Yamaha cheapie stays in tune, the Comins, at least strung this way, does not. Or, maybe it's brand and I should try some other 42?

Any suggestions?

[DawgBone]

Fender are kinda a junk string IME. I'm doing something similar to you for different reasons but I use a LaBella Jazz flats 20pxl and replace the top two strings with a 10 and a 12 and don't have the problems you describe. If your strings are older they can create tuning issues and other weird phenomena so I'd get a different brand of string and work from there.

[AllanAllen]

Maybe go up to a 46 for the low E. The tension shouldn’t change that much on that string.

I’d try different brands too. Personally, I like Ernie Ball for rounds. I’ve tried a lot of brands and always end up back with EB. Wish they made flats in 13 gauge.

[Stringswinger]

Try a set of DR pure Blues and raise the gauge of the high E and B if the stock strings feel too light.

[Cunamara]

It seems like what you want is a bright set of wounds strings that will be naturally closer to the plain strings, then they will respond to your EQ preferences more similarly. When I had a Biltoft CC floater on my archtop years back, I liked using bright wound strings (Thomas Vincis, no longer made) in a custom set with light low E/A/D, heavy wound G to balance against the plain B/E. The wound strings didn't flab out when rolling down the tone to make the plain strings sound good. When we buy "pure nickel" strings and try to balance the darker wound strings against the bright plain strings, we end up having to compromise EQ, fiddle with the knobs, etc. I want to leave the knobs alone and just play (I suspect I am really an acoustic player at heart and amplification is just a necessary compromise).

Is there a scale difference issue between your guitars? Maybe what works for one just doesn't work for the other. If the Yamaha is 25 1/2" and the Comins is 24 3/4", then you might be able to go up a gauge or two on the wound strings to get better tension and response. IMHO a larger diameter/higher tension string at the same pitch will sound brighter or more focused or something. To get even weirder- if the Comincs has a TOM, consider steel saddles on wound strings and nylon or String Saver saddles on the plain strings to bring them closer to each other tonally.

[Peter C]

D'Addario Pro Steels (9-42)

[rpjazzguitar]

Thanks for all the ideas!

Trying to distill them down to a plan:

1. Try different brands.

2. Consider higher tension wound strings (although I'm not sure how to figure out what to buy, or if they'll feel good to my arthritic hands).

3. Consider a higher gauge low E (I'll do that if changing brands doesn't solve that problem).

4. The Fender Super 250's I'm using are hex core and nickel plated. They seem to be round wound (although I don't know what half round would feel like -- the Fender Super 250's certainly are not flats). Fender says their guitars ship with these strings.

Would round core be likely to help?

Do I want more nickel or less?

[Brian859]

GHS makes a set of boomers that will at least get you close to the custom set you are using. They are a good cheaper strings.
GBLXL SET SETS - BOOMERS™ 6-STRING - GBLXL SET - Light / Extra Light - Electric Guitar Strings 010-038

[bluejaybill]

You've probably tried this, but maybe raise the pole piece on the D, that can be brighter sounding, depending on the guitar. Then lower the pickup if necessary.

But I agree, a slightly higher gauge might help all around if your hands can work with it. Really light wound strings don't sound too toneful to me!

[Brian859]

The reason I knew about the boomer set was i played a guitar with those on it. I seem to remember it was kind of weird for a few minutes, but it okay after that. It was plugged in and seemed to sound decent. But that was at a party some years ago and a few beers in so. All I know is you never really know what can work on whatever guitar for which ever person. So maybe go with cheaper ones.

[Stringswinger]

Thanks for all the ideas!

Trying to distill them down to a plan:

1. Try different brands.

2. Consider higher tension wound strings (although I'm not sure how to figure out what to buy, or if they'll feel good to my arthritic hands).

3. Consider a higher gauge low E (I'll do that if changing brands doesn't solve that problem).

4. The Fender Super 250's I'm using are hex core and nickel plated. They seem to be round wound (although I don't know what half round would feel like -- the Fender Super 250's certainly are not flats). Fender says their guitars ship with these strings.

Would round core be likely to help?

Do I want more nickel or less?

Rick, the DR strings that I suggested are pure nickel and round core. They sound great and work well for my arthritic hands. I use both the 9's and the 10's depending on the guitar scale. HTH

[jads57]

Although strings from various companies are different. I have times where it seems more important than others. Lately I’ve been playing fairly inexpensive Dunlop Heavy Core 10-48 on my various
25&1/2” scale Holdsworth guitars.

I needed something in between 10-46 and 11-48 set. And they work really well. Do I like them as much as say Pyramid brand or D’Addario,ErnieBall, etc. Pretty much and they are really affordable!