andrewjw
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Post by andrewjw on Nov 6, 2012 16:31:36 GMT
I put some new strings on the Heron the other day....Elixir PB's 11/52's as usual [ ].....had been on for nearly a year but the B string was sounding a bit dead so thought the time was right...changed the 9v battery for the UST as well. I'd read somewhere recently that stretching new strings [I've always done that] reduces string life so I just tuned it up [no stretching] and let it settle...sounded awful compared with the old strings.. I'd made sure the strings were properly seated etc etc so was on the verge of ordering some N..t..es .. A quick stretch though [pulling the string about an inch or so directly up in the soundhole region] and normal tone was resumed..phew! Thoughts anyone?
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Wild Violet
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Post by Wild Violet on Nov 6, 2012 16:55:15 GMT
Yes, always. I've heard you shouldn't do it as well but it's been a habit for over 30 years, I'm not stopping now.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Nov 6, 2012 17:10:32 GMT
Yes, I stretch - gently and in several places along a newly installed string until it causes no further drop in pitch. Then I know my newly strung up guitar will stay in tune. Keith
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Akquarius
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Post by Akquarius on Nov 6, 2012 19:42:10 GMT
As I always restring guitars with strings being under tension I guess this would be counted as stretching.
You left the old strings on the guitar for nearly a year ??
And I thought that 3 months would be a long time for one set of strings.
For me, restringing is always something I celebrate. It's like getting a new guitar afterwards.
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andrewjw
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Post by andrewjw on Nov 7, 2012 9:21:20 GMT
You left the old strings on the guitar for nearly a year ?? And I thought that 3 months would be a long time for one set of strings. For me, restringing is always something I celebrate. It's like getting a new guitar afterwards. Yep...11 months to be exact...since Elixir started making their unwound strings 'anti rust' I find they keep their tone and intonation for ages. I've found that the same applies to their mando strings too. In comparison the Thomastik Spectrum bronzes I use on my Tom Anderson Crowdster only last for about 3 months before they lose their zing but sound great on that particular guitar. Horses for courses as ever!
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Akquarius
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Post by Akquarius on Nov 7, 2012 11:55:32 GMT
I use the same Thomastiks on the Lakewood and the Akquarius. And 3 months is exactly what I would call their "lifetime".
(sent via android proboards app)
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andrewjw
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Post by andrewjw on Nov 7, 2012 12:21:16 GMT
That's interesting Bernd...great minds think alike! BTW...the Akquarius in the pic you posted in the "inlays" thread looks stunning...looks like it may have a deepish body dimension..or maybe it is an optical illusion?
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Nov 7, 2012 14:22:44 GMT
I can confirm that Bernd's Akquarius is a great (in both senses of the word) guitar - I played it a fair bit at HB2 and loved it. A very characterful guitar in it's own right, and has something of a Lowden "O" vibe about the feel and the sound - a v good thing IMHO. Keith
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Akquarius
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Post by Akquarius on Nov 8, 2012 21:18:19 GMT
Thank you, Keith Andrew, the Akquarius, or more exactly the Dreizehnter SJ-15 custom, is indeed quite a big baby. Exact dimensions are as follows: Body length: 520mm Body width: 420mm Body depth: 120mm Width at nut: 45 mm Scale length: 660mm and can be found here: www.acoustic-guitars.de/index.php/acoustic-guitarsI especially like the cathedral-like sound of this guitar. She's perfect for open tunings. There's a short youtube clip of my guitar on that page. The recording quality is lousy, but you might get an idea how she sounds. (And I'm still very proud and honoured that Luthier Heiner Dreizehnter still keeps that video ) Maybe I should post a thread about her in the My Guitar Is section. I'm not sure if I already did on at ALF, though.
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