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Post by shadywilbury on Mar 21, 2014 10:51:40 GMT
Hi, all. I hope you're well. I'm writing to ask a few questions about strings. I play open mic nights twice a week with a Tanglewood TMO-7NC: Not the world's most expensive/prestigious guitar, but it's served me well, until now. My usual Thursday night venue is a back room in a local pub. Whilst playing, it gets ridiculously hot in there, and I've noticed that this seems to be having an adverse effect on my strings. I will tune them, clean them, and five minutes later, I have to retune. I'm sure it's the temperature in the room that's doing it, although with the fact that I'm gigging twice a week with the instrument, a pack of strings will now only last me two months before they begin to sound absolutely awful. So, I wondered what the least temperature sensitive strings for an electro-acoustic would be. I picked up three packs of D'addario 12s at Christmas, on the recommendation of a friend, but my teacher reckons putting them on would be like stringing it with cheesewire, and make it impossible to play. I obviously don't want that, but I'd like a solution which makes me want to play more than I do at the moment. Thanks for any advice you may be able to offer.
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Post by Trevor TAMCO on Mar 21, 2014 11:12:47 GMT
Hi Casey,
I am curious why your teacher thinks D'Addario 12s will be like chesewire. What do you have on at the moment?
Its more likely movement in the guitar than the strings causing the problem.
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Post by scorpiodog on Mar 21, 2014 11:13:25 GMT
I have every sympathy with you, SW. Happens to me every time, particularly in the Winter. But I find that, once the guitar gets used to the ambient temperature of the room, it settles down. Do you put your guitar back in its case between playing slots (assuming you get more than one?). I used to do that, but now I take a stand with me and take my guitar out of its case as early as possible. I haven't had a horrible accident with my guitar yet. Mind you, I really squirm if I'm in a venue where space is tight!
As for your 12's, I have some guitars strung with 12's. As long as the guitar will take them and the action's ok it should remain playable. I think 12's still count as light gauge. Try them and see whether you like them. We're all different, and your teacher may be used to playing an electric.
What gauge do you normally play? I tend to use 11's for longscale guitars and 12's for short. I'd draw the line at 15's!!!
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Post by shadywilbury on Mar 21, 2014 11:19:01 GMT
I've taken to using .11s on it. He's mainly an electric guitarist. I don't put my guitar back in its case, as I'd probably never get it out again. (Extremely small space, and can get very cramped.) I've used Fast Fret to clean them, and that doesn't seem to make a bit of difference, not that I guess it would. I suppose it could just be time for a string change, but this is going to get expensive if I'm changing strings every couple of months.
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Post by scorpiodog on Mar 21, 2014 11:30:35 GMT
Changing strings is a personal preference kind of thing. I use coated strings and change them on the 3 guitars I use most about every 2 months. But I usually wait until they sound dull to my ear. No sense wasting money!
But use your 12's and see whether you like them. It is possible that the extra tension will make a difference to the tone and sustain of your guitar. I doubt you'll notice the difference in tension on your fingers between 11's and 12's as long as the action's ok.
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Post by ocarolan on Mar 21, 2014 11:34:41 GMT
Sounds like coated strings might be helpful to you Casey - they should last longer though they do cost more. Some people (me included) don't like the sound/feel of them though.
Fast Fret does help somewhat, at least I find it to do so on uncoated strings- use it before you play and again straight afterwards and always wipe any excess off - I use a clean hanky, and do under the strings with that too - amazing what comes off!
I kill strings very quickly - one all evening pub session and I need a new set, so if you're getting a couple of months out of a set I reckon you're doing well actually!
Keith
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Mar 21, 2014 13:25:01 GMT
As others, and no doubt many hundreds of threads on forums all over the world, will have said, there are as many different opinions on strings as guitar players. But, like a previous poster here, I cannot understand your teachers comment on D'Addarios, although there are different types of D'addario. I switched to coated strings about 5 years ago and used Elixirs for a couple of years. Liked the sound, but like Keith I didn't like the feel when they were brand new, just felt 'slippy'. I tried D'addario 80/20 bronze EXP coated strings and much preferred them to the Elixirs. I now use them all the time on all 6 string guitars (I prefer the Light, 12-52 weight). I've tried a few other brands over the years and usually end up taking them off. On the elixirs I occasionally have to retune once when changing venues but have never had the trouble you describe. I also use Fastfret regularly, both the string cleaner and the spray on (making sure I cover the fretboard when using the spray).
So each to their own. But I might ask the question, why would e.g. Taylor supply many of his expensive guitars with D'addario or Elixirs if they were 'cheese wires'?
I hope you solve the problem by trying something else, or as someone else has suggested, it may not be the strings?
Regards
John
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Post by curmudgeon on Mar 25, 2014 11:59:21 GMT
As Trevor says, changes in string tension are due to the wood expanding, but also the metals (esp - steel cores of string expand and contract with temperature).
Note - there are no more/less temp sensitive strings - "steel" strings are all made of metals.
I keep my instruments in cases at home, and put them in the (estate) car at the last possible minute before traveling to gigs - I set my A/C to similar temps as at home, but when I get to the gig - I open the lid of the case or put instrument on a stand (both - ONLY if safe) to acclimatise the instrument, and tune as necessary before my performance time.
When cold the strings will be sharp, when warm - flat. (Green rooms are often (I find, unheated) but it is good etiquette to ensure that you are perfectly in tune when you go on - audiences and club organisers don't enjoy tuning, any more than your playing out of tune - it's just a part of your responsibility.
However, always keep the instrument secure and ALWAYS put guitars in cases IMMEDIATELY after performance - most expensive bits first - get 'em off stage, make 'em safe , then all other bits and pieces can follow.
If you can , always try to wipe down strings after - I keep a clean bar towel in each case for this.
Hope this helps,
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Post by sijos1 on Mar 25, 2014 12:22:57 GMT
I am into Newtone strings at the moment. Seem to hold tune well.
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