minorkey
C.O.G.
Too many instruments, too little time
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My main instrument is: hurting my fingers!
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Post by minorkey on Sept 5, 2021 17:29:48 GMT
Ok so my Fender dread needs some heavier strings, she's wearing D'addario lights at the moment but I should really put medium or heavy strings on it. (I want to play slide with open chords on it) The question is, are the guages on a standard diameter across different brands, or do some have slightly different thicknesses. For example, are Martin 13s the same diameter as D'addario 13s? And should I go heavier for slide, and if I do will I need to refile the nut slots?
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Post by malcolm on Sept 5, 2021 17:39:45 GMT
The thickness of the finished string would be the same, but the thickness of the core may differ. I doubt if it would make much difference for playing slide.
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Post by oustudent on Sept 5, 2021 18:50:54 GMT
Don't ever touch the nut, it is that last thing of the schedule of adjustments
1, neck relief 2, Saddle 3, Nut but only as a last resort, unless there is significant wear and tear it will be okay
For slide get a bespoke set by buying singles for the high B and E strings, I think Marting Simpson does this, may increase the e string to a 16 from a 13, etc
J
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Post by oustudent on Sept 5, 2021 18:51:59 GMT
PS
I 13 is a 13 give or take a few 000's with any manufacturer
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Post by andyhowell on Sept 6, 2021 7:45:50 GMT
You should be OK goi g from say 12a to 13s - I’ve never had a problem with this.
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Post by lavaman on Sept 6, 2021 8:37:20 GMT
I'd try a set of 13s to start with and see how you get on.
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Post by ianlp59 on Sept 6, 2021 8:44:08 GMT
I use mediums 13-56 on most of my guitars. For slide though, I use a 15 for the first string which supports the slide admirably as well as providing a thicker tone with more sustain.
Cheers,
Ian
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minorkey
C.O.G.
Too many instruments, too little time
Posts: 2,992
My main instrument is: hurting my fingers!
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Post by minorkey on Sept 6, 2021 9:02:50 GMT
I use mediums 13-56 on most of my guitars. For slide though, I use a 15 for the first string which supports the slide admirably as well as providing a thicker tone with more sustain. Cheers, Ian So I'd want a 15-56 set?
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Post by malcolm on Sept 6, 2021 9:54:52 GMT
I use mediums 13-56 on most of my guitars. For slide though, I use a 15 for the first string which supports the slide admirably as well as providing a thicker tone with more sustain. Cheers, Ian So I'd want a 15-56 set? Try a 13-56 set of regular mediums first, then you can swap out the first and second strings for a heavier gauge if you would like a thicker sound.
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minorkey
C.O.G.
Too many instruments, too little time
Posts: 2,992
My main instrument is: hurting my fingers!
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Post by minorkey on Sept 6, 2021 12:26:18 GMT
Cheers guys.
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Post by andyhowell on Sept 6, 2021 13:06:12 GMT
Heavier is probably better for slide but it ignores the obvious question — why play slide (the devil's technique ....)
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mandovark
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Post by mandovark on Sept 6, 2021 15:25:34 GMT
I play slide with a .13 first string and it works fine. That said, I do think Ian is right about going up a gauge or two for a fuller slide tone. I use a .13 mainly for the convenience of being able to get standard string sets, and partly because I don't play enough slide to make it worth while having a guitar set up specifically for it. The .13 works as an acceptable compromise for me.
The other consideration is what kind of slide you're using. A .13 string should be fine with a fairly light slide, but if you're using a heavier one you might also want the extra tension from a heavier string gauge to avoid any rattling on the frets.
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minorkey
C.O.G.
Too many instruments, too little time
Posts: 2,992
My main instrument is: hurting my fingers!
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Post by minorkey on Sept 6, 2021 17:08:15 GMT
I play slide with a .13 first string and it works fine. That said, I do think Ian is right about going up a gauge or two for a fuller slide tone. I use a .13 mainly for the convenience of being able to get standard string sets, and partly because I don't play enough slide to make it worth while having a guitar set up specifically for it. The .13 works as an acceptable compromise for me. The other consideration is what kind of slide you're using. A .13 string should be fine with a fairly light slide, but if you're using a heavier one you might also want the extra tension from a heavier string gauge to avoid any rattling on the frets. I have 2, a glass slide, which doesn't fit well, and a Dunlop 222 which fits like a glove.
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mandovark
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Post by mandovark on Sept 6, 2021 17:36:46 GMT
I play slide with a .13 first string and it works fine. That said, I do think Ian is right about going up a gauge or two for a fuller slide tone. I use a .13 mainly for the convenience of being able to get standard string sets, and partly because I don't play enough slide to make it worth while having a guitar set up specifically for it. The .13 works as an acceptable compromise for me. The other consideration is what kind of slide you're using. A .13 string should be fine with a fairly light slide, but if you're using a heavier one you might also want the extra tension from a heavier string gauge to avoid any rattling on the frets. I have 2, a glass slide, which doesn't fit well, and a Dunlop 222 which fits like a glove. I had a fairly heavy Dunlop chrome one for a while. It sounded great, but it never fit properly and it was fairly heavy so it was hard to avoid catching the frets. I still use a Dunlop, but it's a smaller one that fits much better. Means I can fret notes while wearing it, which was pretty much impossible with the heavier one.
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Post by martinrowe on Sept 6, 2021 17:37:54 GMT
The heavier the slide the better
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