Light strings with great old school jazz sounds

[Marty Grass]

This caught me by surprise. This guitar has Chrome 10-48s but really sounds good. He discusses the strings at about 8:40 on the video.

I find this guy interesting to listen to anyway.

Please listen and comment on your response to the sounds. Thank you.

[citizenk74]

"Tone is in the hands*...." This is almost completely true.

* Internet wisdom**

** Not always to be trusted

[mr. beaumont]

Is the G still wound on a set of Chrome. 010s?

[neatomic]

i like rich s...but not at all surprised...jim hall used d'aquisto 11-48's for years...often using a plain g!...why his sadowsky model came with 2 different bridge saddles...one for wound g and one for unwound g


the idea that heavy strings are needed for archtops is an antiquated idea that goes back to the days of pre-amplification...like freddie green...with his huge strings and super high action...for just playing acoustically

not needed when there is a pickup and an amp involved...

am always slightly amazed when i read guys here saying they are having tough times playing the guitar...with aching aged hands and fingers...try using lighter strings and "take the load off fanny"...unfortunately many musicians are more influenced by rhetoric (the strings/gear their idols used) than by common sense, regarding what's best for them...and their ability to play comfortably

you can even get 09 flats from ghs! thomastik has low tension jazz swings in 10-44, 11-47

use whatever means necessary to continue playing your guitar comfortably...beats not playing due to discomfort every time!

cheers

[neatomic]

Is the G still wound on a set of Chrome. 010s?

yeah...20 wound...but you could always sub a plain

or vice versa with plain g sets

cheers

[mr. beaumont]

yeah...20 wound...but you could always sub a plain

or vice versa with plain g sets

cheers

Ah, plain G no thanks. But I think thats the difference maker here...you can get along pretty light...if that G is wound.

[Stringswinger]

Ah, plain G no thanks. But I think thats the difference maker here...you can get along pretty light...if that G is wound.

In general, I prefer a wound G to be sure, but I have been running 10's on my Les Paul and my Strat as of late (63 year old fingers need a break now and then) and the DR Pure Blues that I use come with a plain G. Using a Henriksen amp, I can get a surprisingly good jazz tone with either of those guitars (especially the Lester) even with the plain G.

[neatomic]

absolutely ss...and dr pure blues are soft pure nickel on a vintage style round core...so even easier on the fingers...been running dr pure blues (of all gauges) for years...fab strings

cheers

[Cunamara]

Ed Bickert used .010s and had a great tone (with a plain G). Jim Hall, as mentioned above, used a plain G at times. Tone apparently is not the strings...

[mr. beaumont]

Its not, and it is.

But you can't play the same way. I do .011s with a plain on my teles, but I don't smack it as hard as my Heritage.

[neatomic]

a light touch is a good thing! for your hands and tones! nuance

cheers

[John A.]

I have roundwound 10's on my semi-hollow, and I can get as fat as sound out of it as an I can with my archtop strung with flatwound 12's. To me the big difference between string gauges is in how they feel not in how they sound. Even flats and rounds sound pretty much the same to me, with the big difference there being finger squeak (which for some reason doesn't bother me on semis and solids, but does on hollow-bodies).

John

[kris]

I like the sound of this guitar, especially where Rich plays with his thumb.

[Half-trick pony]

Rich seems to be a great teacher. On my to do list is a transcription of his Lady Bird solo.

.

Regarding strings, I prefer to ease of playing with light gauges but with below .011s the intonation becomes an issue with stretchy grips where there is uneven pressure on the different strings.

[Marty Grass]

Ed Bickert used .010s and had a great tone (with a plain G). Jim Hall, as mentioned above, used a plain G at times. Tone apparently is not the strings...

The eternal tonequest mysteries! There will never be consensus. You will not see a formal document endorsed by the Forum leaders, the International League of Excellent Jazz Guitarists, the United Deans of Jazz Colleges, the US Congress, or any other authoritative body list the mandatory ingredients for beautiful 1950s and 1960s jazz guitar tones. The diversity is equaled only by the strength of individual conviction.

1. Guitar design: Anything from a Super 400 to a Tele.
2. Heavy, medium or light strings of any usual material, flat or round wound.
3. Pick, finger or hybrid.
4. Pickups- yes, yes and yes.
5. Amps- yes, yes and yes.
6. Pedals- no distortion.
7. Fingers- desirable

[Northenlights]

I tried playing with chromed 12s for years. Never liked it, and was even a hair away from selling my Gibson Howard Roberts since I thought I just didn't get along with the guitar. Switched strings to standard d'addario 10s, and never looked back since.

[Moonray]

Here is the real story from the man himself:

I have an old guy hand issue in the form of focal dystonia in the LH 3rd & 4th fingers and have
found this set works a treat on my GB10.
Bright and fat!

Try-See

In summary, if you get the D'Addario ECG23 Extra Light Gauge Chromes and deploy Rich's alterations
you'll end up with : 13/15/20w/28/38/48.

[Marty Grass]

Here is the real story from the man himself:

I have an old guy hand issue in the form of focal dystonia in the LH 3rd & 4th fingers and have
found this set works a treat on my GB10.
Bright and fat!

Try-See

In summary, if you get the D'Addario ECG23 Extra Light Gauge Chromes and deploy Rich's alterations
you'll end up with : 13/15/20w/28/38/48.

He's always got something worthwhile to say.