String Question

I always found that my Washburn dread sounded amazing for the price, but a little dead and mellow on the low strings. I also do prefer light strings but thought 11s are plenty light for an acoustic. I already thought about upgrading because I just love bright, open sounding, smashing acoustics.

But I went down to 10s on it yesterday, and now am in love again. All the tone i ever wished for. Nice bright sparkly lows and soft highs. She just feels alive now. Anybody else experienced this phenomeon?
She's not going anywhere now!

No opinions?

I personally don't understand extra light or lights on a dreadnought, but that's my opinion and I prefer the feel and volume of mediums on dreads. But if you like what you got this way, go for it.

I can't see how a dread could even play (buzzing, neck tension, plus any kind of real tone or volume being generated) with 10's ??

But I guess it comes down to that guitar (guitar X) and its setup...I have a Martin dread that seems to work (play) best with mediums and a Washburn dread that works best with lights. Can't imagine going 'lighter' that lights.

I can't see how a dread could even play (buzzing, neck tension, plus any kind of real tone or volume being generated) with 10's ??

But I guess it comes down to that guitar (guitar X) and its setup...I have a Martin dread that seems to work (play) best with mediums and a Washburn dread that works best with lights. Can't imagine going 'lighter' that lights.

That's what i thought to. But it even increased the volume! Don't have a clue why.. I do get a little buzzing when really digging in, but nothing that can't be fixed by a tweak of the trussrod. Of course it doesn't sound as 'massive' as with mediums or lights, but i like the transparent tone with booming bass and soft highs. BTW I put on d'addario EXP coated extra-lights.

Strange things, guitars.

Maybe the lighter strings are exerting less pressure on the top, allowing the wood fibers to "breath" more. But probably not.

I use Martin 10's on my Yamaha dreadnought, sounds well balanced and the action is great all the way up the neck. Don't use it live so certainly don't need the volume I might get from heavier strings. Jazz, blues, country, folk, rock tones all available, what I do with my right hand makes a bigger difference to tones attainable than string gauge.

..

I agree 100 % with... pepe muerte

guitars are designed and built to withstand a certain string tension ... too much is bad and may actually pull the guitar apart ... too little might sacrifice volume and tone, but shouldn't hurt the guitar ...

..

+1

I have been playing my Alvarez RD20S that I have had for 5 years with Elixir Polywebs, (10-47), I have nerve damage in my neck and it is the only way I can play guitar without being in alot of pain. I have always used the 80/20s,
Yesterday, I thought I would try the
Elixir Phosphur Bronze Strings, I used to use phosphur bronze years ago. I got the Same gauge, They do have a nicer tone, but the feel of the strings is harder for me to play, They are also Nanowebs, which have a real light coating, Polywebs only come in 80/20.

I went over to play with a friend who plays fiddle, He got a new fiddle for 50 bucks at his friends guitar store, It sounds really good. I plugged my guitar into a small amp , He was real loud and we played for a couple of hours. I really like the tone. Anyone else use Phosphur Bronze Strings?:?:

I have been playing my Alvarez RD20S that I have had for 5 years with Elixir Polywebs, (10-47), I have nerve damage in my neck and it is the only way I can play guitar without being in alot of pain. I have always used the 80/20s,
Yesterday, I thought I would try the
Elixir Phosphur Bronze Strings, I used to use phosphur bronze years ago. I got the Same gauge, They do have a nicer tone, but the feel of the strings is harder for me to play, They are also Nanowebs, which have a real light coating, Polywebs only come in 80/20.

I went over to play with a friend who plays fiddle, He got a new fiddle for 50 bucks at his friends guitar store, It sounds really good. I plugged my guitar into a small amp , He was real loud and we played for a couple of hours. I really like the tone. Anyone else use Phosphur Bronze Strings?:?:

I don't know if the D'Addario EXP coated strings are phosphor bronze but i think so.
I also use phosphor bronze strings on my 12-string. Love that deep projecting tone.

Yes, EXPs are PBs, cheaper too, Have played them and I like their feel. I am going to hang with these Elixir PBs for awhile, they sound great, I was fearing the day after pain, but I am not that bad today.

Yes, EXPs are PBs, cheaper too, Have played them and I like their feel. I am going to hang with these Elixir PBs for awhile, they sound great, I was fearing the day after pain, but I am not that bad today.

I have had Elixir Nanowebs on my 12-string, and really enjoyed the tone. But their price is a little steep for me.

Glad it's working for you without pain!

Yes, EXPs are PBs, cheaper too, Have played them and I like their feel. I am going to hang with these Elixir PBs for awhile, they sound great, I was fearing the day after pain, but I am not that bad today.

I have done 4 gigs over the weekend, (2) electric on Friday (country and rock) and 2 acoustic "marathons" Saturday, and my hands (and right shoulder/back) are absolutely killing me today!(as expected). My left-hand fingertips feel like I put them on an iron; the rest of my hands/arms are enjoying a magical mix or carpal fun/numbness and knuckles that want to burst:wink:

I use Elixir PB Mediums on a Martin as I feel they sound and play great, and last, but even amplified, I think I played too aggressively (in an effort to create energy and be heard over very "chatty" rooms. lots of people partying...) strumming, phrasing. fretting etc. Paying for it today- BUT I love the guitar!:wink::twisted::grin:

I think I will do the gig with the Elixir PBs ,then I will go back to Elixir Polywebs, they are just so much better on my fingers, plus, they last forever, I can go for 6 months on a set. I don't even want to look at the guitar after the other night.
J

I have had Elixir Nanowebs on my 12-string, and really enjoyed the tone. But their price is a little steep for me.

Glad it's working for you without pain!

I tried many acoustic strings (Gibson,D'addario, Martin) and I found that Elixirs are the best strings for an acoustic. If I'd go with lights, I'd definetly give them a try first.
They may be expensive but they last much longer than other strings and I belive you can still find the 3 for 2 deal online.

well..6 months for a set of strings on a guitar you play regularly is , in my opinion, way too long...even if they are those hi priced sets...

Dirty hands, dirty fingers, finger OIL and such is relevant...

YES, we may sacrifice volume .....my take..who cares....

here's my story and take on the matter...

I have 11's on 2 acoustics( new Breedlove and vintage Guild) and 10's on my Taylor 312...totally different guitars and totally different tonality's.

Strings serve two purposes, they need to sound good and FRESH and they need to allow the player to play comfortably , the latter being the most important....

If a player is struggling with the fretboard they are not going to perform....if the strings sound dead or are not brilliant, the player will stay away from those spots on the fretboard.

So... 1) use string gauges that allow YOU to perform, who really cares what the manufacturer says or anyone else for that matter...if your fingers are raw and be bleeding you have the wrong strings on your axe..OR maybe the wrong axe !

2) Change your strings often..like every couple of weeks if you are playing regularly....your tone and fretboard consistency will be the same week after week, month after month, year after year...every player knows when the strings are starting to fade...my take ? sure..I love the high priced strings but I use the $5/ set bronze, buy them in bulk, 12 sets at a time....sometimes I find them for 3 or 4 bucks on Amazon. I stay with the same brand...Lately that has been Ernie Ball Earthwoods...sometimes I do buy Martin strings for maybe a buck less per set...seeing they are only on the guitar a couple of weeks they perform fine but they are not long life strings....

And yeh..on the go to Telecaster I change the strings every week if I am gigging...same reason..total consistency with tone and volume...Fender 150's or 250's..bought in bulk...

Elixir Strings,
No, they are not really expensive at all, A set easily lasts me 6 months, so I pay 13 bucks for 6 months or more of excellent tone. Or I pay 5 bucks a set, and change them every week.:?::!:

Elixir Strings,
No, they are not really expensive at all, A set easily lasts me 6 months, so I pay 13 bucks for 6 months or more of excellent tone. Or I pay 5 bucks a set, and change them every week.:?::!:

The only thing I question is "Excellent tone"...

It's subjective... define excellent tone....

I said..Change them often or every couple of weeks if you are playing regularly...meaning gigs, stages..etc...

I play out and record..a lot ( home ) ....I can hear the difference over a couple of weeks in a NY minute....


If we play an outdoor gig on a warm humid day..those strings are done...I don't care how much we paid..$4 or $14...

If you eat a Hot Dog and Fries with Ketchup..then pick up your guitar without washing your hands..$14 down the drain...

If we play in our bedrooms or just hanging out with friends, 6 months may very well be ok...even one gig a month, sure it will be fine...

For me, strings will never go a month....Daily playing, weekly gigs, changing strings very often maintains the Instrument consistency... and that's my requirement...

And that's the point of my response..what may be good for one may be leagues different for another...


I have Pedal Steel Guitar friends who say they can get 6 months on the 3rd string...( very active string with pulls and tuned right at the limit) I change mine every week..Its a .50 cent string on a $4000 guitar.


at the end of the day, if 6 months works for you guys..great...:cool:

PS: I'm paying an average of $4 set/ acoustics, sometimes a bit less.....the most recent purchase was 12 sets of Fender 250's at $2.50/set...

Look, I'm grateful to be able to play some, I have Cervical Stenosis, several pinched nerves in my neck and it is very painful for me to play, I don't have the hi end guitars like you guys, I can't afford them, I'm on Disability, Elixirs have a coating of gortex on them that makes them easier to play and also extends string life. I have a 250 dollar Alvarez RD20s that has a comfortable neck and a nice set up. I can only play for about a half hour at a time.

I understand where you are coming from and if I played 2 hour shows 2 or 3 times a week, I would be changing them more. Dan Tyminski uses Elixirs , He says that He gets about 6 shows out of a set. I know most pros change(or their guitar techs change their strings for every show.)

God Bless and play guitar!!!:rolleyes:

Look, I'm grateful to be able to play some, I have Cervical Stenosis, several pinched nerves in my neck and it is very painful for me to play


excellent response...

years back I too had a 6 month war with nerve damage and thats when I went to 9's on the electrics...


Session players ,road warriors or gig warriors indeed have a different fundamental need...I think your comment with regard to Dan Tyminsky is accurate, he could do 6 shows in 3 days ! Plus he most certainly has an endorsement deal ...so he may tell us his premium strings only last 3 days ! But that's only part of the story...

Have a great day as well..

t

I use these on my Taylor Dreadnought

Those GHS look good,how do they feel on your fingers, Hey ,did you hear that Dykes switched to Guild?