ISO Strings for GE Smith Sound

FirstBassman · May 19th, 2008, 12:19 PM

I hate to start another "string" thread (no pun intended) but ...

I did a search for previous String topics and there were lots of them ... some going back years ... but they were all pretty general. Though some did say "I play rock, country, etc."

I'd like to get a new set for my SX that can help get a clear bell-like ringing on the mid and high strings but that can also sound rich and warm with distortion pedal.

Any ideas?

Please just don't name a brand. I need specifics like model name or flat, round, nickel, etc.

Thanks!

petebradt · May 19th, 2008, 01:30 PM

Curt Mangans are my favorites.

www.curtmangan.com

Hear some here.

Lance · May 19th, 2008, 04:42 PM

I'm gunna say....."Try a bunch". Seriously. Each of my guitars likes a different string. Just keep swapping until you find something that works and sounds good to you.

BTW - I'm not sure what the "GE Smith" sound would be. He plays so many different guitars and amps. There's just too many variables at play to say that using one particular guitar, amp, cord, effect, string....etc etc....will get you to "that sound". And - let's not discount GE himself. The tone is in the hands! I bet I could hand him a pointy headed 80's shred machine and he'd sound just like GE.

Strings are such a minor part of tone. The type of string affect overall brightness, bendability...and durability.

Tone is 60% player, 20% amp, 10% guitar and the rest is the other crap in between (cords, effects, etc.).

FirstBassman · May 19th, 2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petebradt

Curt Mangans are my favorites.

Thanks, but as I said, I need model names not just manufactuer.

Quote:

I'm gunna say....."Try a bunch".

Most of the time I would agree with you. But not as practical for strings. Taking a set on and off each time would be pain and a waste of money.

Quote:

I'm not sure what the "GE Smith" sound would be

Granted. Therefore I changed the title of the thread.

Quote:

and let's not discount GE himself. The tone is in the hands!

Absolutely. I don't want to get into a "tone is ..." discussion at all. But if "in the hands" applies to anyone, it would be GE.

So, now we're just back to the description of the sound I'm after.

Lance · May 20th, 2008, 07:28 AM

Bassman,
I'd try to narrow things down a bit. If you have a gauge you mostly like with that guitar, get a set of nickel and a set of nickel plated steel. Those are the two main categories (there's also coated but those won't be bright). See which works better and then go to the next step....maybe deciding on a regular gauge set or one with a heavy bottom. Then, maybe try a couple of brands in that spec. You'll find slight differences in bendability between brands.

I know this sounds frustrating but you really do need to try some yourself. What works for someone else may not work for you. There's no reason to take strings off after testing them. Look at this as a long-term project. Get a few sets, play them for a couple of weeks each....make note of the ones that seem better. After a few months, you'll have a good idea.

Personally, I'm a GHS Boomers guy. I get a few different gauges when I buy for my different guitars. It makes it easy and I know what to expect. My gauges are 9, 10, 10.5, and 11....and I also like a set of heavy bottoms on my NOS.

BTW - where are you in VA? There's a few of us here.

L-

FirstBassman · May 20th, 2008, 08:43 AM

Thanks Lance, sounds like a good plan.

I'm a 10-gauge kind of guy, it seems, if for no other reason, my chords come out sharp with 9's on big fretted guitars.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance

BTW - where are you in VA? There's a few of us here. L-

Yeah, I know there are a lot of DC area forum members.
I live in the northeast corner of Fairfax County.
You?

Lance · May 20th, 2008, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstBassman

my chords come out sharp with 9's on big fretted guitars

Hmmmm....that's possibly a minor setup issue. If they're OK on 10s but go sharp on 9s, your nut grooves are probably just a hair too shallow. That, or you've got a very heavy left hand touch and are just pressing them sharp. One of my PRSs will "go sharp" for the first 15 minutes of playing it until I adjust my technique....the nut's fine....it's just the way the guitar is. Each guitar is different!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstBassman

I live in the northeast corner of Fairfax County.
You?

In reality, I live in Charlottesville, VA, about 2 hours southwest. But, I work in Crystal City during the week, and go home on Thursdays after work. I'm staying in Springfield in a hobbit hole basement apartment while up here. Axis29 is just around the corner from me.

Maybe a get together!?!?

petebradt · May 20th, 2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstBassman

Thanks, but as I said, I need model names not just manufactuer.

Curt Mangan "Nickel Wound." 10-46. That's as specific as it gets.

newtwanger · May 20th, 2008, 10:57 AM

Since building my Esquire in January I've tried more than a dozen sets of strings, some 9s some 10s.
The closest to what you are asking (IMHO) is the
Thomastic Blues Sliders SL110

From their site:

Quote:

Get that vintage sound that is legendary to blues. The SLIDERS Blues Series brings your guitar to life. Its even-numbered overtones have been re-inforced for a gentle, low-down sound that sings by itself. The wound lower strings have a silk inlay to balance high frequency high output in Light and Medium Light.

Don't know what the non-wound strings are made of but they are brass color, and the wounds strings sound really rich.

Hope that helps.

jefrs · May 20th, 2008, 11:02 AM

Thomastik-Inspiron Techno-Brights 10-45. Clean, they're very clear, bright and chimey with a singing quality to the note. The name tells you what they do. They keep their tone nicely through distortion. They're designed for playing through fx. Thomastik bass strings fight above their weight, so you don't need a heavier bottom. E-bass Jazz 43-89 on my bass are equivalent/better than Roto 45-105. They do not suit all guitars, on my Baja, Gretsch and others but not for AmSer (pure nickel there). These or their Power-Brights are my strings of first choice unless the guitar hates them. Beautifully balanced and long-lasting.

Frontier9 · May 20th, 2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstBassman

Most of the time I would agree with you. But not as practical for strings. Taking a set on and off each time would be pain and a waste of money.

Ahh, but such is the price of tone...

Really though, 5-7 bucks a week until you get it right really isn't a lot of work or money, is it? I think I went through about 4-5 brands before I was satisfied... money well spent, in my opinion.

davidge1 · May 20th, 2008, 12:16 PM

I've been playing guitar for over 25 years, and have probably used every brand and gauge of string there is...everything from 8s to 12s. I dont notice much difference in the tone. I choose the gauge based on the way they feel, and I buy Ernie Ball because I like the way the package looks. Flatwound strings will obviously sound different than roundwound, but unless you're playing jazz, you probably dont want those.

Really, the difference in tone between different brands and gauges is minimal. If you're looking for a certain tone, the important things are the guitar, amp and your technique.

newtwanger · May 20th, 2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidge1

Really, the difference in tone between different brands and gauges is minimal.

I agree that it is pretty subtle compared to pickup choice or more than anything amp choice.
All things being equal, strings of the same gauge will sound pretty similar. Core material on the wound strings can make a difference in "feel" (tension) which often causes you to hit the strings in a different way (pressure&impact) resulting in YOU giving the strings a different tone. Unwound strings are all about the material used.

Just a TINY piece of the tone equation that will cause us a lifetime of searching.
But as Frontier9 said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frontier9

Really though, 5-7 bucks a week until you get it right really isn't a lot of work or money, is it?

(though some boutique strings are more $$)

FirstBassman · May 20th, 2008, 01:39 PM

Thanks guys! LOTS of good info. I will try all of your recommendations.

And I agree that strings compared to guitar, amp and technique are low on the tone totem pole. I'm just looking for any edge I can get, especially since I have to get the 9's off of that SX anyway.

By the way, for my basses, I've noticed string type does make a big difference. For electric I prefer ground wound over round wound. They make a lot less finger/fret noise and produce a warmer tone. And for acoustic, I like Fender's nylon strings for same reasons.

RE: my chords come out sharp with 9's on big fretted guitars

Hmmmm....that's possibly a minor setup issue. If they're OK on 10s but go sharp on 9s, your nut grooves are probably just a hair too shallow. That, or you've got a very heavy left hand touch and are just pressing them sharp.

Yes, that's exactly what's happening. I've only been playing guitar for five years or so and my technique is terrible and I do tend to squeeze too hard. So, on open chords on the high strings (D) I'm pulling too far down from those big jumbo frets and the strings are pulled sharp.

That and I just also happen to like the feel of 10's better too.

I work in Crystal City during the week, and go home on Thursdays after work. I'm staying in Springfield in a hobbit hole basement apartment while up here.

Maybe a get together!?!?

Sure, absolutely.
I am scheduled to be a "bachelor" for the next two years or so and plan on having a lot more free time after August.

E-mail me: FirstBassman13 at Yahoo dot com

- Mark

May 19th, 2008, 12:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
FirstBassman Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 877	ISO Strings for Clear Chimey Sound I hate to start another "string" thread (no pun intended) but ... I did a search for previous String topics and there were lots of them ... some going back years ... but they were all pretty general. Though some did say "I play rock, country, etc." I'd like to get a new set for my SX that can help get a clear bell-like ringing on the mid and high strings but that can also sound rich and warm with distortion pedal. Any ideas? Please just don't name a brand. I need specifics like model name or flat, round, nickel, etc. Thanks! Last edited by FirstBassman : May 19th, 2008 at 05:21 PM.

May 19th, 2008, 04:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,110	I'm gunna say....."Try a bunch". Seriously. Each of my guitars likes a different string. Just keep swapping until you find something that works and sounds good to you. BTW - I'm not sure what the "GE Smith" sound would be. He plays so many different guitars and amps. There's just too many variables at play to say that using one particular guitar, amp, cord, effect, string....etc etc....will get you to "that sound". And - let's not discount GE himself. The tone is in the hands! I bet I could hand him a pointy headed 80's shred machine and he'd sound just like GE. Strings are such a minor part of tone. The type of string affect overall brightness, bendability...and durability. Tone is 60% player, 20% amp, 10% guitar and the rest is the other crap in between (cords, effects, etc.). __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

May 20th, 2008, 07:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,110	Bassman, I'd try to narrow things down a bit. If you have a gauge you mostly like with that guitar, get a set of nickel and a set of nickel plated steel. Those are the two main categories (there's also coated but those won't be bright). See which works better and then go to the next step....maybe deciding on a regular gauge set or one with a heavy bottom. Then, maybe try a couple of brands in that spec. You'll find slight differences in bendability between brands. I know this sounds frustrating but you really do need to try some yourself. What works for someone else may not work for you. There's no reason to take strings off after testing them. Look at this as a long-term project. Get a few sets, play them for a couple of weeks each....make note of the ones that seem better. After a few months, you'll have a good idea. Personally, I'm a GHS Boomers guy. I get a few different gauges when I buy for my different guitars. It makes it easy and I know what to expect. My gauges are 9, 10, 10.5, and 11....and I also like a set of heavy bottoms on my NOS. BTW - where are you in VA? There's a few of us here. L- __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

May 19th, 2008, 01:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
petebradt Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Niner Country Posts: 3,241 12 Photos	Curt Mangans are my favorites. www.curtmangan.com Hear some here.

May 20th, 2008, 11:02 AM	#10 (permalink)
jefrs Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Newbury, England Age: 53 Posts: 337	Thomastik-Inspiron Techno-Brights 10-45. Clean, they're very clear, bright and chimey with a singing quality to the note. The name tells you what they do. They keep their tone nicely through distortion. They're designed for playing through fx. Thomastik bass strings fight above their weight, so you don't need a heavier bottom. E-bass Jazz 43-89 on my bass are equivalent/better than Roto 45-105. They do not suit all guitars, on my Baja, Gretsch and others but not for AmSer (pure nickel there). These or their Power-Brights are my strings of first choice unless the guitar hates them. Beautifully balanced and long-lasting.

May 20th, 2008, 12:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
davidge1 Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA Posts: 881	I've been playing guitar for over 25 years, and have probably used every brand and gauge of string there is...everything from 8s to 12s. I dont notice much difference in the tone. I choose the gauge based on the way they feel, and I buy Ernie Ball because I like the way the package looks. Flatwound strings will obviously sound different than roundwound, but unless you're playing jazz, you probably dont want those. Really, the difference in tone between different brands and gauges is minimal. If you're looking for a certain tone, the important things are the guitar, amp and your technique.

May 20th, 2008, 01:39 PM	#14 (permalink)
FirstBassman Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 877	Thanks guys! LOTS of good info. I will try all of your recommendations. And I agree that strings compared to guitar, amp and technique are low on the tone totem pole. I'm just looking for any edge I can get, especially since I have to get the 9's off of that SX anyway. By the way, for my basses, I've noticed string type does make a big difference. For electric I prefer ground wound over round wound. They make a lot less finger/fret noise and produce a warmer tone. And for acoustic, I like Fender's nylon strings for same reasons. RE: my chords come out sharp with 9's on big fretted guitars Hmmmm....that's possibly a minor setup issue. If they're OK on 10s but go sharp on 9s, your nut grooves are probably just a hair too shallow. That, or you've got a very heavy left hand touch and are just pressing them sharp. Yes, that's exactly what's happening. I've only been playing guitar for five years or so and my technique is terrible and I do tend to squeeze too hard. So, on open chords on the high strings (D) I'm pulling too far down from those big jumbo frets and the strings are pulled sharp. That and I just also happen to like the feel of 10's better too. I work in Crystal City during the week, and go home on Thursdays after work. I'm staying in Springfield in a hobbit hole basement apartment while up here. Maybe a get together!?!? Sure, absolutely. I am scheduled to be a "bachelor" for the next two years or so and plan on having a lot more free time after August. E-mail me: FirstBassman13 at Yahoo dot com - Mark