Guitar Strings

[bigseb]

I used to stress about strings... always had to have the right brand, etc, etc. As years went by I realised it doesn't really matter. The last year I have been buying cheap chinese brand strings for all my instruments (acoustic/electric bass, acoustic/electric guitar) and no-one has noticed any difference in the sound

Use what works, is my advice...

 

[boohbah]

Abducted by Russians ,

personally i don't believe in Russians

 

[seekermeister]

Well, since they didn't torture or kill me, I don't have much against them. Ironically, my maintenance man is Russian, and whlle he seems okay for the most part, I have a difficult time talking to him about some things, because his English is not exactly up to par, but far, far better than my Russian, which is pretty much limited to nyet. I'm not too sure of his age, but it's a lot younger than myself, and I don't know how long he has lived in the USA, because when I tried to talk to him once recently about past religious suppression in the former USSR, he denied that there had ever been any, despite the fact that he is Christian.

 

[boohbah]

when I tried to talk to him once recently about past religious suppression in the former USSR, he denied that there had ever been any

i suspect he was busy and didnt want to be drawn into a heavy discussion,

 

[seekermeister]

No, at the time, he was on a voluntary visit to my apt. with the intention is spending some time.

 

[Sardonicus]

So, what did you decide on the strings?

 

[smarteyeball]

I finally bought a tuner hoping to get the guitar ready to play, and I broke a string, so I need a new set. The problem is that there are so many choices, and all that I know is that I want a steel set for a 6 string acoustic. Does it really make much difference which brand or version one uses?

Short answer, yes.

Long answer - yes it does.

 

[seekermeister]

So, what did you decide on the strings?

Decide? If I were very quick to decide anything, I wouldn't have to ask so many questions. However, with all that I have read here and elsewhere, probably some D'Addario extra lights. With the thin walls where I live, I think it would be best not to get something too loud or metallic.

 

[profdlp]

Go green and make your own out of catgut. You would also be reducing the population of strays.

Win/Win

 

[boohbah]

Go green and make your own out of catgut. You would also be reducing the population of strays.

Win/Win

be sure and get a photo of them with their bread head first

 

[Britton30]

i find these strings really nice and the beauty of them is that they can double up to make a nice garrot for folk that talk too much.
and for slicing cheese. though its a swine retrieving the cheese from the sound box
helpful video

I nominate this as the most useless response on the forum.

It is right down there seeker.

 

[boohbah]

 

[metalmania31]

Well first what type of music do you play on the guitar. That will make a difference too. Than find out what strings you favorite musicians play and give a few a try and go from their. I use Ernie Ball for electric. I think Martin makes good strings for acoustic.

 

[Chilidawg]

Seekermeister:

String preference is very subjective, as I'm sure you've found out. My preference is for D'Addario EJ17's The good part is that strings are a comparatively inexpensive modification that lets you tweak your sound. Try a bunch of different brands and gauges. Make notes on your preferences. Also, Martin and Taylor both have string-changing videos on youtube. Have fun!

(Of course, I've also changed my bridge pins to ebony and my saddle to bone. Lots of fun to be had with these things.)

Now, go play the finish off it.

 

[seekermeister]

Go green and make your own out of catgut. You would also be reducing the population of strays.

Win/Win

No thank. sound like a lot of tripe to me. Instead of green, that would be red. Red as in a bloody mess, and as in embarrassment for listening to such an idea. I realize that you weren't being serious, but I shall cite this anyway:

Sheep and beef gut (called catgut, even though cats were never used for this purpose) were the original materials used as cores for strings for violin family instruments.

http://www.sevenforums.com/chillout-room/222714-guitar-strings.html#post1868058

 

[seekermeister]

Seekermeister:

String preference is very subjective, as I'm sure you've found out. My preference is for D'Addario EJ17's The good part is that strings are a comparatively inexpensive modification that lets you tweak your sound. Try a bunch of different brands and gauges. Make notes on your preferences. Also, Martin and Taylor both have string-changing videos on youtube. Have fun!

(Of course, I've also changed my bridge pins to ebony and my saddle to bone. Lots of fun to be had with these things.)

Now, go play the finish off it.

As I said, I was considering D'addarios, until I learned that they are round wound. I would like to find something similar that is flat or half wound, to reduce finger squeaking. Also the EJ17s are not as light of a gauge as I want, but as you said, it is all subjective.

I did read that there is some kind of string oil available for corrosion resistance, but I'm wondering what effect it would have on squeaking?

 

[profdlp]

Go green and make your own out of catgut. You would also be reducing the population of strays.

Win/Win

No thank. sound like a lot of tripe to me. Instead of green, that would be red. Red as in a bloody mess, and as in embarrassment for listening to such an idea. I realize that you weren't being serious, but I shall cite this anyway:

Sheep and beef gut (called catgut, even though cats were never used for this purpose) were the original materials used as cores for strings for violin family instruments.

I feel quite sheepish for feeding you a line of bull. Guess that makes me the goat.

 

[smarteyeball]

probably some D'Addario extra lights. With the thin walls where I live, I think it would be best not to get something too loud or metallic.

Personally, one brand I can't stand. They become 'dull' very quickly.

 

[seekermeister]

Then would you have a suggestion for a brand more to your liking, that would also fit within the parameters that I have described?

 

[smarteyeball]

It really boils down to personal preference simply based on trying different brands/gauges.

Elixir Nanoweb is my current Acoustic choice, but I use custom light .011 - .052 gauge with my Fender Dreadnought, although they do come in the lighter gauges.