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Post by taswegian on Jul 31, 2006 8:36:45 GMT -7
I find I like different string brands on different guitars. One brand that seems to suit one guitar doesn't sound so good on the other, some seem better suited to shorter scale or some suit mahogany, others suit ash...it gets too pedantic for me. I quite like the Blue Steels but sometimes they sound great and other times they have been on the shelf for ages. I found a set that I LOVED for my acoustic and now I can't remember what they were!
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Post by tele1962 on Jul 31, 2006 9:35:28 GMT -7
Just don't apply that lack of memory to the woman you love. It plays poorly
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Post by BW on Jul 31, 2006 9:48:34 GMT -7
"I'll never forget ol' what's-her-name".....
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Post by chipstar75 on Jul 31, 2006 13:36:23 GMT -7
well i can tell you that there IS a shelf-life on strings, and a very noticable difference in tone, the fresher the string is. I live next to GHS and when ya get em factory-fresh.....wow !
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Post by Hohn on Aug 1, 2006 16:19:47 GMT -7
I find the D'Addarios last quite long when I use Fast Fret after I play. When I'm playing live, I use it after every set. A trick that my Grandfather turned me onto is Williams 'Lectric Shave. This pre-shave lotion has a lot of alcohol in it, and leaves a slick feeling to the strings. I haven't done it much, but it's worth trying. He swears by it on his old LP. jh
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Post by nitehawk55 on Aug 1, 2006 17:19:54 GMT -7
I find the D'Addarios last quite long when I use Fast Fret after I play. When I'm playing live, I use it after every set. A trick that my Grandfather turned me onto is Williams 'Lectric Shave. This pre-shave lotion has a lot of alcohol in it, and leaves a slick feeling to the strings. I haven't done it much, but it's worth trying. He swears by it on his old LP. jh Don't know if that will help the strings or how you play but your fingers and guitar will smell good ! ;D
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Post by tele1962 on Aug 7, 2006 12:08:16 GMT -7
Changing strings on a guitar is a lot like changing oil in a car . The viscosity and additive factors in motor oil are all way above mfg specs., and the trick is "change it regularly"! Most mechanics will agree with this. You might prefer Quaker State or Pennzoil, another guy swears by Valvoline, and yet another person got a million miles out of Walmart's house brand.
Change strings regularly. Buy them as you need them. Don't let them oxidize because you " got a good deal", and bought 700 sets! And forget all the goop. The Fingerease, and all that stuff is mainly perception. Change 'em and play 'em.
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Post by billyguitar on Aug 7, 2006 12:54:31 GMT -7
I checked at GC yesterday. 10 sets of strings = $4.00 per set. A month ago another kid told me $3.00 per set for 10. Depends on your body chemistry whether or not you need Fingerease. I know a guy that's never used it. I always use it. I spray it on my fingertips, not the guitar. Cuts down on the drag, even with new strings. I've been buying it since probably 1968 or 1969. A few years ago I found an old can that was priced $1.00. I don't know how old it was but i think it's about $4.00 now!
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Post by tele1962 on Aug 7, 2006 17:09:32 GMT -7
Dont' you love finding old products with stale dated price tags? It always makes me feel better, knowing something was "once a good price"!
The greatest enemy to guitar finishes and even frets and necks is natural acidity in the body chemistry. It can't be helped. Billy, sparying that ( Fingerease) on your fingers makes some kind of sense to me, but guys I've known spray that S&%@ all over the neck and strings! I'm not seeing the value to that.
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Post by billyguitar on Aug 7, 2006 19:18:38 GMT -7
I only need the Finger Grease where my fingers go and it lasts a lot longer that way. A guy I uses to play with would borrow mine every now and then to spray the keys on his Fender Rhodes!
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Post by jwr on Aug 8, 2006 10:19:56 GMT -7
Been using EB 10's for a long time. Recently changing the 10(E) and 13(B) for a 11 and 14. Seems to make the instrument sound and feel more balanced. Jason
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Post by tele1962 on Aug 8, 2006 10:23:23 GMT -7
Wow! That ivoroid plastic on those Rhodes keys is slick enough! Somehow I don't think that might have been a good idea, based on that it might get onto the contacts underneath the keys. But hey, it's not my Rhodes or yours!
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Post by drew on Aug 8, 2006 11:01:39 GMT -7
Hummm, sore subject for me. I love the sound and feel of new stings but loath changing strings. I can only get 2 gigs (one weekend) before the beating from my hamhocks starts popping em like blades of grass. If I had a buck for every string I changed I'd be retired!
I saw Chris Duarte in a small Boise club last night. (big difference between Chris CDs and Live! He's amazing live) I talked to him briefly at the end of the gig, said he changes his strings for every gig. His strat has wear and battles that rival SRVs and the saddles OMG Mr Clean would run like a girlyman!
Sorry I deviated...
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Post by Hohn on Aug 8, 2006 12:56:12 GMT -7
Wow! That ivoroid plastic on those Rhodes keys is slick enough! Somehow I don't think that might have been a good idea, based on that it might get onto the contacts underneath the keys. But hey, it's not my Rhodes or yours! This guy was following the Rhodes less travelled, apparently.
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Post by billyguitar on Aug 8, 2006 15:29:05 GMT -7
I've used an .011 for Es for a long time. The biggest problem with a .014 B is it's a little more resistance on E string bends, because you're pushing it also. I do like the sound though of a .014 B and a .018 G.
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Post by chipstar75 on Aug 9, 2006 17:44:32 GMT -7
you gotta try the GHS burnished nickel set....ask your dealer to get some for you. They are very long lasting and great feeling string............Love em. Wipeing them with a cloth before and after, as well as washing your hands prior to playing, will add alot to the life of any string. In the end, its the constant beating against the frets that end up doing the most tone robbing damage. Elixer strings can guard against sweat and corossion, but for me ,theres nothin like a fresh set of strings. Your guitar intonates better,and tunes easier. And its good insurance before a gig. next time you change a string hold a string under a magnifier. Wow ! how does that worn out dirty wire vibrate evenly?
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Post by tele1962 on Aug 10, 2006 16:33:26 GMT -7
Wire with dirt on it does NOT vibrate evenly. Good observation. It is unbelievable how many players play dirty guitars with dirty strings. This is not funky or fashionable. It's sloppy and disgusting and lazy, and shows lack of care for your instrument. And good for you Chipstar, for washing your hands prior to playing! So simple, and yet such a great practice to maintain. I like your habits, son!
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Post by billyguitar on Aug 10, 2006 18:43:07 GMT -7
After setting up I ALWAYS go wash my hands before I even check that the amps working. Or if i do check first I just tap it. Sometimes I have to wash my hands with my own drinking water or diet pop if it's festival thing and there's no plumbing nearby. I've made guys go wash their hands before they try out my guitar if I could see they were dirty. IT IS FOUL to play dirty! I seem to remember Barney Fife telling Andy about people with a hand washing "compelshun"!
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Post by Hohn on Aug 11, 2006 8:37:21 GMT -7
Buy yourself a big bottle of hand sanitizer. Not the perfumey stuff the wife uses, but basic Purell or something. That, and carry a microfiber rag with you.
Do your hands with the sanitizer, then wipe off the "residue" with the microfiber rag. Voila-- instant hand cleanliness even outdoors miles from any plumbing.
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wilzgt
Full Member
I plumb for Z-Tone !
Posts: 151
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Post by wilzgt on Aug 21, 2006 9:43:29 GMT -7
Ernie Ball slinky 10's. These I buy at around $3 a pack in bulk from Guitar Center. I also like Elixer's 10's as well, but they are spendy.
I used to play DiAddario before, but I prefer the Ernie Balls now for sound reasons.
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Post by Matt H. on Aug 24, 2006 9:21:24 GMT -7
I know I am in the Minority here, but.......
I actually prefer the sound of strings after they have been on the guitar for a few weeks. I think that they are too chimey and bright when you first put them on. As my strings get older, they may loose a little punch, but I think that it makes me put more into my playing. I also play piano, and it's like playing a grand piano as opposed to a smaller spinet. The grand piano makes you work for your notes and dynamics. The spinet is nice, but its easy to play too loud and without dynamics. I keep my strings on for months. I just set my levels a bit brighter than most. I remember reading an interview in some guitar mag in the 80's with Joe Satriani and he stated that he never changed his strings unless he broke them. Obviously he must have some techie doing his string changing for him, but I assume that he, in his earlier years, must have been something like me. ;D Yea Right!
I use Slinky 10's with an 11 or 12 on bottom. I tried D'Add's before and wasn't crazy about them. Save $ on strings. I do!
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Post by texblooz on Aug 24, 2006 12:18:24 GMT -7
I've been buying Elixer 10's and 9's for a long time. They're kinda bright right out of the box, but settle down after a day or so. At $10/set they're not cheap, but they usually last me about 6 weeks.
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Post by Curt on Aug 24, 2006 12:34:15 GMT -7
Well Billy and Tele1962 will hate me, but I'm with Matt H.
I like strings when the edge is worn off the tone and I get lots of mileage out of mine. Not lazy, just a preference after trying it both ways over nearly 30 years. I like a mellower tone and lots of FAT mids and worn in strings help with that for me.
Oh, and I don't wash up prior to playing or polish my guitars either ! Am I kicked out of class??
YMMV, to each his own, etc.
Oh, D'Addario .010-.046's for me. Like the Greg Martin from the Kentucky Headhunters ad's for D"Addario several years back, "Good for 5 nights in a bar and still good e'nuf to wire up yer muffler"
Curt
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Post by Matt H. on Aug 24, 2006 12:56:24 GMT -7
tele62
I knew there was someone else out there like me! AND --- I don't polish my guitars either!
Here's some karma for tellin it like it is -
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Post by billyguitar on Aug 24, 2006 14:37:29 GMT -7
I don't know if you meant me, billy, but I'm used to fairly dead strings. They're only new for the first few hours you use them anyway. I only use the Elixirs on acoustics.
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Post by Curt on Aug 24, 2006 21:08:45 GMT -7
Yep Billy, I wuz talkin' to you !!! point/counterpoint thang goin' on Thanks Matt H. back atcha !
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Post by johngourlay on Aug 26, 2006 1:06:43 GMT -7
The guy who set up my strat recommended Ernie Ball Slinky hybrids, they sound good but I think it's mostly due to the heavy thick strings pulling the neck round a bit more?? The action is v low. I've also got 'rusty fingers' ergo any steel I touch will corrode withing hours. Most strings start going black within 5 -7 days. My wife's checked my head, no 666's anywhere........ Anyone got a similar curse?
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Post by countrybilly83 (Ty) on Aug 26, 2006 21:17:36 GMT -7
The guy who set up my strat recommended Ernie Ball Slinky hybrids, they sound good but I think it's mostly due to the heavy thick strings pulling the neck round a bit more?? The action is v low. I've also got 'rusty fingers' ergo any steel I touch will corrode withing hours. Most strings start going black within 5 -7 days. My wife's checked my head, no 666's anywhere........ Anyone got a similar curse? I have the same problem ,so you are not alone... Within a week my strings are black and i have grunge on the back sides of them. Doesn't matter if i clean them after every time i play or have just washed my hands or whatever. They are just black anyway but the tone stays for awhile even though they look bad.
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Post by countrybilly83 (Ty) on Aug 26, 2006 21:19:53 GMT -7
Oh yeah lol i forgot to say I use D'Adarrio 9.5-44's work great on all my guitars. Best of both worlds easier to bedn but still have some meat and no over bending.
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Post by johngourlay on Aug 27, 2006 1:50:32 GMT -7
Phew! It's not just me then? I tried those Elixir's but didn't like the feel of 'em. There's plenty in this entry to think about re strings. A band here the UK 'The Hamsters' have a guitarist who squirts WD40 on his fret board every 15 min or so. He plays brilliantly and the guitars look OK but I don't like the idea + WD is carcenogenic....... John Boy
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