|
Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2020 18:40:48 GMT
But they LOOK fine!!
All of a sudden I've turned into a miser over a set of strings. It's like I don't want to change them until they're rusty and black.
They've been on it since January.
They sort of sound sweet but they've got no zing.
What is wrong with me? Why am I so mean all of a sudden?
Does this happen to anyone else?
|
|
|
Post by bellyshere on Sept 15, 2020 18:53:51 GMT
Change them. I hate flat strings. My daily use guitar gets new strings every two months or so.
|
|
|
Post by scorpiodog on Sept 15, 2020 19:16:02 GMT
FFS @lakewoodlad you know the answer. Change the Goddam things.
Even better, unless you’ve already gone through the process, try different strings from your normal brand. You learn stuff you wouldn’t believe possible. I have one guitar that sounds best with Ernie Ball Aluminum (sic) Bronze strings. Most have a preference for 80/20 or PB, and some sound better with 11’s some with 12’s and one with 13’s. I’m sure there must be some reason behind it all, but I’ve discovered it through trial and error.
Coated strings last longer (I use mostly Elixirs) and if you buy their occasional offers of 3 for 2 they don’t work out too expensive.
Give your poor guitar a chance to show it’s true potential. Get yer wallet out, mate.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2020 19:26:59 GMT
*hangs head*
I know you're both right.
It's the only guitar I've had from new. I bought it in January (it's my Larry silver oak) and I've never changed them.
It's got Elixir's on at the moment. I've got some Gibson Masterclass, some D'addadrio (both 12s) and a packet of Martin Acoustic SP 12.5s that I found in a case from a guitar I bought a while back. I've never used SPs before so I'm going to go with them. It was set up with 12s but I don't suppose it's going to make any difference and it's about time to change them....
|
|
|
Post by skyetripper on Sept 16, 2020 13:11:18 GMT
Just my twopenneth - If your Larry is anything like mine, the best strings I found for it were D’Addario NB 12’s. Elixirs are really nice, but as many have mentioned, elixirs tend to make every guitar sound like a guitar with elixirs on.
The one string that really doesn’t work on my Larry is EJ16’s. No idea why. Of course strings are very subjective and it depends on what you play, how you play and what you like to hear.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2020 13:43:49 GMT
Just my twopenneth - If your Larry is anything like mine, the best strings I found for it were D’Addario NB 12’s. Elixirs are really nice, but as many have mentioned, elixirs tend to make every guitar sound like a guitar with elixirs on. The one string that really doesn’t work on my Larry is EJ16’s. No idea why. Of course strings are very subjective and it depends on what you play, how you play and what you like to hear. I'll get some and give them a try.
|
|
|
Post by Gregg Hermetech on Sept 16, 2020 19:38:49 GMT
I like the 3 week to 3 month sound. Hate the sound of new strings, and hate the sound of really dead ones too. There's a sweet spot. I've found for my taste/guitar/sweat/amount of playing, that Nickel Bronze/Monel strings extend it a bit longer than 80/20 or PB. I like 13s, but not sure that has anything to do with how often you need to change them.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2020 20:03:53 GMT
I like 13s, but not sure that has anything to do with how often you need to change them. What is it that 13s give you that you don't get from 12s?
|
|
stringdriventhing
C.O.G.
Posts: 1,859
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"101011"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: E61921
Mini-Profile Text Color: e6ce19
|
Post by stringdriventhing on Sept 16, 2020 20:20:56 GMT
I like 13s, but not sure that has anything to do with how often you need to change them. What is it that 13s give you that you don't get from 12s? Volume... and arthritis!
|
|
|
Post by Gregg Hermetech on Sept 16, 2020 20:56:04 GMT
I like 13s, but not sure that has anything to do with how often you need to change them. What is it that 13s give you that you don't get from 12s? Sound better, louder, more sustain, drive the top harder (whilst not distorting it), and I like how they feel. Am also deliberately only playing 13s the last couple of years so that I build strength, and if I do eventually move back to 12s, it will feel like I levelled up for free.
|
|
stringdriventhing
C.O.G.
Posts: 1,859
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"101011"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: E61921
Mini-Profile Text Color: e6ce19
|
Post by stringdriventhing on Sept 17, 2020 8:04:05 GMT
I accidentally played 13s for over 20 years before realising they were actually heavy strings! I played the guitar a lot, but I didn't really know anything about guitars or strings, etc. This was pre-internet. At string-changing time I would just ask for a set of mediums, thinking they were exactly that. When someone more knowledgeable pointed out to me that I was playing heavy strings I tried 12s and I couldn't believe the difference. I think when you're learning 13s could hold you back a bit. They'll certainly make everything that bit harder to play because you'll need to press down more firmly to get a decent tone. You can also pretty much rule out any string bending, unless your hands are really strong. They definitely give you more volume and sustain though. I'd like to be able to play with 13s again, but my hands simply aren't up to it these days.
|
|
|
Post by scorpiodog on Sept 17, 2020 9:02:23 GMT
I put 13's on my Martin for a while. I used the Martin to play out with the duo. The 13's were fantastic - until - the day we did a 3 hour gig. by the second break, 2 hours in, my hands were getting tired. Another half hour and I couldn't play barre chords. By the end, I couldn't feel to play at all, and we were asked for an encore (unusual!) but I had to take a 10 minute break first, and then all the spontaneity had gone out of it and it fell a bit flat.
I don't find them hard to play at all for a reasonable period of time on a well set up guitar, but there's no doubt that they do tire your hands. Now I only use them on a cheap old dreadnought that doesn't ring at all with 12's but comes to life with 13's.
But I always play in standard tuning. I know that a lot of altered tuning players use them, particularly for drop tunings and that makes a lot of sense to me.
|
|
stringdriventhing
C.O.G.
Posts: 1,859
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"101011"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: E61921
Mini-Profile Text Color: e6ce19
|
Post by stringdriventhing on Sept 17, 2020 9:13:48 GMT
But I always play in standard tuning. I know that a lot of altered tuning players use them, particularly for drop tunings and that makes a lot of sense to me. Oh yeah, if I had a guitar that was exclusively in open tunings I'd use heavier strings for sure. But I haven't got enough guitars for that
|
|
|
Post by scorpiodog on Sept 17, 2020 9:38:38 GMT
Oh yeah, if I had a guitar that was exclusively in open tunings I'd use heavier strings for sure. But I haven't got enough guitars for that I think you know the solution, Goggz.
|
|
stringdriventhing
C.O.G.
Posts: 1,859
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"101011"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: E61921
Mini-Profile Text Color: e6ce19
|
Post by stringdriventhing on Sept 17, 2020 9:41:56 GMT
I'm working on that one...
|
|