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Post by borborygmus on Aug 2, 2024 9:52:19 GMT
Let's start a thread about string tension - I subject I have never really thought much about, but probably ought to as the osteoarthritis in the carpometacarpal thumb joints isn't going away... A thought predicated by this, the D’Addario String Tension Pro Calculator, which is back (I didn't know it was gone). Who has made instrument/string decisions based predominantly on string tension? Peter |
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Aug 2, 2024 14:08:22 GMT
Let's start a thread about string tension - I subject I have never really thought much about, but probably ought to as the osteoarthritis in the carpometacarpal thumb joints isn't going away... A thought predicated by this, the D’Addario String Tension Pro Calculator, which is back (I didn't know it was gone). Who has made instrument/string decisions based predominantly on string tension? Peter I'll be interested in reading what others have to say on this. I started our u3a Guitar Group 12 years ago now when most members were in their 60s. Now, of our 17 members we have 4 in their 80s and the rest in their 70s with a few 'youngsters in late 60s. Clearly 12 years on there are a lot of aches and pains now and I've been putting together a few thoughts about how we all may be able to extend our playing lives, either through specfic excercises or changes to their instrument/technique etc. Thus any advice as to whether string tension is worth looking at (whether by type of string, scale length or number of frets etc will be interesting for me). (I don't want to hijack this thread with other comments on 'help the aged' although may put a separaate thread up if people are interested.) FFJ Attachments:
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brianr2
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Posts: 3,187 
My main instrument is: Fylde Goodfellow
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Post by brianr2 on Aug 2, 2024 14:57:47 GMT
I have long used Newtone Heritage strings which have the advantage of not only having a low tension but also equals tension across the strings - see link. I find this helps my aged hands and I like the sound of the strings too. |
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Post by Onechordtrick on Aug 2, 2024 14:57:52 GMT
I initially tried Newtones because of the lower tension and certainly notice the difference if I use a higher tension set. fatfingerjohn is that a guess the chord competition? Not sure on the first but the second is definitely E#m7 dim 2 sus 3 add 4. First chord that I learned. Do I get a prize? |
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Aug 2, 2024 15:56:52 GMT
As many here know, I used to use Newtone MasterclassPB on my Fylde Ariel, either 12-54 or 13-56, both of which suited it well at standard pitch or tuned down a couple of frets. When I decided I'd try it in terz tuning (3 frets up) I changed to Newtone Heritage PB 11-47 to keep the tension within reasonable limits for my fingers and the guitar.
The D'Add tension chart doesn't work for Newtones because of their thinner cores (which is where the tension comes from) for any given gauge but the latter state their tensions on their website. Which is nice.
Probably shouldn't speak too soon, but thankfully, despite having reached the age of 74 and 3/4, I have not yet begun to suffer any obvious arthritic symptoms. I do find a little difficulty sometimes in making my fingers do what they used to be able to do, but it is painless and more likely a result of deteriorating brain function...
Keith
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Post by otis1960 on Aug 2, 2024 17:03:07 GMT
I am suffering significant hand problems at the moment which, coupled with a knackered right shoulder, has rendered playing anything pretty tricky.
I have been using Elixir 11-52 for the past few years, but last week discovered a set of Newtone Heritage 11s in a box of 'treasure'. Having re-strung my McIlroy AS10 with said strings the difference was remarkable.
More Newtones on order, to see whether anything else from the guitar rotation will be similarly improved enough to be playable.
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brianr2
C.O.G.
Posts: 3,187
My main instrument is: Fylde Goodfellow
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Post by brianr2 on Aug 2, 2024 17:24:41 GMT
As many here know, I used to use Newtone MasterclassPB on my Fylde Ariel, either 12-54 or 13-56, both of which suited it well at standard pitch or tuned down a couple of frets. When I decided I'd try it in terz tuning (3 frets up) I changed to Newtone Heritage PB 11-47 to keep the tension within reasonable limits for my fingers and the guitar. The D'Add tension chart doesn't work for Newtones because of their thinner cores (which is where the tension comes from) for any given gauge but the latter state their tensions on their website. Which is nice. Probably shouldn't speak too soon, but thankfully, despite having reached the age of 74 and 3/4, I have not yet begun to suffer any obvious arthritic symptoms. I do find a little difficulty sometimes in making my fingers do what they used to be able to do, but it is painless and more likely a result of deteriorating brain function... Keith This “getting old” lark is a pain - literally and figuratively - but so much better than the alternative. In all seriousness, for all the aches and failing faculties, I am more content and at peace than I have been and I cherish every day. |
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Aug 2, 2024 17:34:18 GMT
As many here know, I used to use Newtone MasterclassPB on my Fylde Ariel, either 12-54 or 13-56, both of which suited it well at standard pitch or tuned down a couple of frets. When I decided I'd try it in terz tuning (3 frets up) I changed to Newtone Heritage PB 11-47 to keep the tension within reasonable limits for my fingers and the guitar. The D'Add tension chart doesn't work for Newtones because of their thinner cores (which is where the tension comes from) for any given gauge but the latter state their tensions on their website. Which is nice. Probably shouldn't speak too soon, but thankfully, despite having reached the age of 74 and 3/4, I have not yet begun to suffer any obvious arthritic symptoms. I do find a little difficulty sometimes in making my fingers do what they used to be able to do, but it is painless and more likely a result of deteriorating brain function... Keith This “getting old” lark is a pain - literally and figuratively - but so much better than the alternative. In all seriousness, for all the aches and failing faculties, I am more content and at peace than I have been and I cherish every day. ... I think a lot of good things can be attributed to settling into retirement. Plus the natural tendency that with advancing age you tend not to give a f*ck about many more things than you used to ... Keith |
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Aug 2, 2024 19:13:10 GMT
I initially tried Newtones because of the lower tension and certainly notice the difference if I use a higher tension set. fatfingerjohn is that a guess the chord competition? Not sure on the first but the second is definitely E#m7 dim 2 sus 3 add 4. First chord that I learned. Do I get a prize? I thought they were jazz chords .... |
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Post by 3chordtrick on Aug 3, 2024 7:06:39 GMT
Interesting thread, a friend I jam with recently picked up a Citane gypsy jazz cheap in a local charity shop,it was in great nick,the existing strings ( 12-54’s ) were ancient, he played it with the old strings still on,and decided to fit new ones as soon as he could,it now wears Silk ‘n Steels, and is a joy to play, I remember trying these strings out on a Guild F-412 I had year’s ago, as I was experiencing fretting hand tendon problems at the time,they made playability much easier,but I did not like the sound,thankfully, the tendon problems receded, and I could go back to steel strings.
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Post by Mike Fowler on Aug 3, 2024 7:45:47 GMT
My partner's daughter lives in a remote village in the county of Extremadura in Spain, the music shop there wouldn't hire out a guitar for the duration of my stay but I was fortunate enough to get a loan of a guitar from one of their friends. The action was quite high. Given that I'm not going to start hacking away at somebody else's guitar, I bought some low tension classical guitar strings which improved the playability no end. I didn't really know until then that classical guitar strings also have quite a variety of tensions
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Post by jangarrack on Aug 3, 2024 8:46:10 GMT
Interesting thread. I generally find any set of 12s feels quite stiff for me and I would be quite happy using 11s, but I don't get on with the thinner plain strings. They always sound tinny to me and I have an unfortunate knack of sometimes making them ping or bounce in some way that sounds a bit off, undoubtedly down to my poor technique.
I use D'Addario Nickel Bronze 12-52 Light Balanced Tension Strings and find them very comfortable, I think overall tension is about the same as 11s. They're not coated but last for ages, and they sound great on my guitars, a very warm and full sound. According to D'Addario, they are bright strings, but I don't find that.
Apart from my own experience, I don't know much about the pros and cons of balanced string sets, but given the lack of choice and availability, assume there must be more cons than pros. That said, they suit me very well.
Jeff
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Post by Onechordtrick on Aug 3, 2024 10:33:52 GMT
Interesting thread, a friend I jam with recently picked up a Citane gypsy jazz cheap in a local charity shop,it was in great nick,the existing strings ( 12-54’s ) were ancient, he played it with the old strings still on,and decided to fit new ones as soon as he could,it now wears Silk ‘n Steels, and is a joy to play, I remember trying these strings out on a Guild F-412 I had year’s ago, as I was experiencing fretting hand tendon problems at the time,they made playability much easier,but I did not like the sound,thankfully, the tendon problems receded, and I could go back to steel strings. Welcome 3chordtrick. But 3 chords?!? That’s just showing off:D I found the same with silk and steel, easy to play but I didn’t like the sound, at least on my guitar. |
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Aug 3, 2024 10:47:19 GMT
3chordtrick - hey - welcome to the Forum - great first post. Feel free to say Hi to everyone in the Introductions section, and maybe tell us a little about yourself, your music, your instruments etc? Keith
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minorkey
C.O.G.
On book 3 of the Guitarist's Way, thanks Keith
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My main instrument is: a 20 year old Fender DG-5 Dreadnought named Tilly
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Post by minorkey on Aug 3, 2024 16:16:52 GMT
A while ago I restrung my dread with lights. Big mistake. Easier to play but the sound was bad. Lesson learned.
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Jo whoever he is.
