-
Hi, I'm Paul and I change my string choice too often. (Please say "Hi Paul" to your computer at this point).
Seriously, though, am I alone on this or do any of you find that you change string brands and/or gauges and never settle on one thing? I might be all about one setup for even up to a year but I always switch them out eventually for something different. Flats, rounds, half rounds, gauges like a lighter TI set or the heaviest set I can make. I think this time I had a personal record where at least I kept my top 2 strings as a 14 and 18 for quite a while but my had is hurting from a long week of musical rehearsals for a gig on bass and I still want to get my few hours of guitar practice a night. I ended up playing my Ibanez Artist 2630 more often because it had 12's on it (being my versatile do anything kind of guitar) so I same day ordered a set of TI Bebop 12's to put on my L5 and now I am all about it. I don't really jump brands that much because I have 4 I have found to like the most over the years but I can always count on trying a slightly different or very different (heavy set of 14's to the light TI 12's in this case, so very different feel) almost every time I change strings.
So are you "normal" and have a set or two that you always go to or are you changing it up often like me? I think it would make more sense to keep a consistent set going, or at least keep different sets on different guitars since I have enough to do that, but it is fun to switch them out and my ears appreciate the change even though it can be frustrating getting used to a new feel and sound.
I don't have a problem, really.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
-
05-11-2017 10:16 PM
-
Sorry Paul you have to look for help elsewhere .... I am keeping strings on forever.... when I have a new guitar I usually try a couple different sets to see what fits best with that particular guitar but thereafter , I am using them for ages.... I am sure there are others herebwho can help you though
-
Totally with you on this. I change a lot just to see how the guitar reacts and then how I react.
Originally Posted by rio
With my guitars, I find that each one reacts or feels "better" with its own gauge.
Especially if they are different scale lengths.
Always flat wound though and either TI Benson or Pyramid or Chromes.
But lately I've been going through lighter gauges to just check them out again (because it's been years since I tried them) and am back on heavier gauges again.
Definitely .014 and .018 1 and 2 .....that seems to be a constant as well.
-
I have a problem sort of like yours but I have "one" set of strings I like but keep trying different guitars .
Seriously though, Ive gone the different string route before and for me it was more about the amount of time I would play daily. When I was playing several hours a day I was more comfortable with 13s now with the arthritis I can only play maybe an hour or so on a daily basis and 12s are better. And as already mentioned, each guitar reacts differently to different strings. Enjoy the journey. Bob
-
Been using GHS Burnished 10's since about 1980 - don't see any reason to change. Other brands/gauges won't make me play any better or any worse. I do have the same string in 11-52 on my 'jazz' Tele but that's about as far off the mark as I get. Don't like flats at all but to each his own. When I was gigging regularly, I changed my strings about every other day (it helped to own a music store at the time) but now, only when I think they need replacing. Oh, and if I can't get the GHS, I use regular old Fender 150's.
-
Maybe it is because I have played so long, but it always seems like each guitar has a particular string set that suits it (and my playing) best. Right now I am stuck on either 11's or 12's TI Swings. My 25" and 25.5" scales like the 11's and anything shorter likes 12's. But that isn't always a hard fast rule for me. I think that I have 11's on my Stat, but 12's on my Tele, and they seem balanced to me. Once I get the right set on the right guitar, I am usually good for a very long time. I never break strings and I am not particularly sweaty, so they could last forever.
-
At the moment I have La Bella's on me archtop. I didn't want Dads chromes as I have them on my Tele and Jazzmaster.
The La Bellas have been on for 18 months and the Jazzmaster the same. I did have pure nickel on the Tele but after a fret dress I went back to flats.
All gauges are 12's.
I'm about to switch strings on a Yamaha P90 semi short scale to Rotosound monel flats. Along with a few more tweaks im looking forward to the results. The Rotosounds were bought as a cheaper alternative to Chromes as the price just went up 25%!
I spat me dummy out, £19 for Chromes! Do what mayt?! More expensive than La Bella. ..... Nah, Rotosound here I come...
-
I've been trying lots of strings, but I think (hope!) that I've finally decided on a set and that I can stick with it. After trying and trying, I've settled on D'Addario EPN21 for everything. They're the right size, right price, and they sound good enough for acoustic and amplified, on everything I own. I still have some other sets on some guitars, but when it comes time to change I plan on using the pure nickel .012 set. I'm getting tired of eating shipping costs, and I'll order a half dozen sets at a time and save some money.
-
I generally use the same strings unless the guitar tells me otherwise.
-
I tend to settle on a particular set for particular guitar and then leave them on forever
I have had TI flats on my archtops now for 6 years or more and I'm just now thinking I need to put fresh sets on.
I like Ernie Balls on my Les Pauls (hey! that rhymes), GHS Boomers on my strats, and D'Addario 9.5s on my PRS guitars
I used to go for the old Gibson Sonomatics in their various forms through the years for my 175 and L4CES, but it's probably time to try some TI flats on them .... they are going on about 15 years since their last string change
-
TI JS112 for the Sweet 16
ECG25 for the Eastman AR503
ECG24 for the ES339 and the Maison SA200 (335 korean copy)
Ernie Ball SS 11 48 for the LesPaul
Ernie Ball SS 10 46 for the Strat
La Bella Silk and Steel 12 56 for the ES125T
Can't find anything right for the Epi Broadway !
I have a set of Pyramid to try
I'd like also to try Whte Tape LaBella one day
And Jorge made me think to try some John Pearse 2700 but he cleared the french stock with one order ;-)
-
Hey 339, try a set of La Bella flatwound 12's. I'm smitten with them on me EER. Originally Posted by 339 in june
-
Thanks for the advice. I'll try this asap ! Originally Posted by jazzbow
-
Been looking my whole life for the perfect string! That said I've changed guitars almost as much! Different strings sound different on different guitars. One thing I think I know for sure, to me, ti's are tough to beat on an L-5. That same string doesn't really do it for me on my floaters though. I rotate between half rounds, and rotosound monel. Neither perfect so the search continues. Looking for those complex overtones of nickel, with the zing of a roundwound in a flat string. Apparently to much to ask cause haven't found them yet!
Originally Posted by rio
-
Other than the gauge, I have never been very picky about strings. In my experience, the feel of the strings is more important to me than some alleged tonal micro-difference. And I've never bought the marketing hype over super pricey strings.
Over the years, I've played D'Addarios, GHS Boomers, Dean Markleys, and been happy with all of them. I have been playing since 1980, and since then, I have generally stuck with a particular brand for long stretches. I think when I've switched, it was usually just to try something else.
For some time now, I've used D'Addario flat wound 12s. I can't imagine any reason I would switch. They sound and fell great and are a good price. (Maybe because there are so few flat wound options in the same price range?)
-
I have tried the D'Add's a few times. I found that the tension is not as balanced as TI's. So, $10 more and I get the TI's. But you are correct. There aren't a lot of choices. Originally Posted by billd
-
On the Tal nothing but TI JS112, tried temporarily the JS113, I could not go back fast enough on JS112; it is the perfect gauge tension and tone wise for me on that guitar.
On my solid bodies I had been playing exclusively d'Addario EXL110 10-46 since the early '90s.
However when I got back my Franken Telecaster from the Luthier, after a complete fret dressing and adjustment, I realized they used the newer d'Addario EXL-110BT instead of the regular XL110...
I fell in love with that set of strings, perfect balance between all strings.
Reply With Quote
Recommandations for Hollowbodies for $600 and under?
Today, 05:20 AM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos