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Post by shadowhankron on Nov 14, 2009 9:36:59 GMT
Hi Everyone A subject I know very little about, are the right Guitar Strings for various Guitars. As I own a Fender Strat 1999 American Made, I have since started to play guitar after 6 years hiding the guitar away. I got my Guitar Checked out this week and checked out Bridge and Pickups. I told the Guitar Tekkie that I wanted to play Hank Marvin Sound and to suggest the right Strings to use. His advice was to use Elixir (Nanoweb) Light .010 - .046 so I had them put on costing 15 EURO a set.
Anyone got advice on the correct strings to use.
At the end of the Day I know its how I play the Guitar and Tunes.. but also nice to have the right TOOLS..... Thankfully I purchased Charlie Halls Patches this week for the Zoom G2.1u Pedal and last week bought the Vox VT 30 Valvetronix Amp. Did not try out the Strings yet.
regards Ronnie
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Post by BarryH on Nov 14, 2009 9:48:20 GMT
Hi Ronnie,
There are loads of different strings available and I'm sure others on here will be along soon with their preferences. I like the Elixirs, but heaviers sets than your techy recommends.
I use the 11-49s and the 12-52s on different guitars. They are pricey but you can get them for a lot less than you were quoted, having said all that, they do last a lot longer so they are not as pricey as they first seem. Shop around, they're also available on the well known auction site at around £7.50 a set.
Cheers Barry
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Post by Tone on Nov 14, 2009 11:32:52 GMT
Hi Ronnie
As Barry suggests, strings are pretty subjective and if you ask half a dozen people their preference you are likely to get half a dozen different answers.
Having said that, I've tried most of the makes over the years but, like Barry, I've now settled on Elixirs. As well as the increased life, which offsets the higher purchase cost, they are very smooth when playing which greatly reduces finger squeak.
As regards gauge, you should really go for a minimum of 11-49 if you're trying to get the early vintage Hank sound but 10 -46 are good for Hank's "modern" sound and they have the added advantage of being easier to bend.
Cheers.
Tony
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Post by keithinalps on Nov 14, 2009 11:47:23 GMT
Hi Ronnie, Also consider Gibson L5's 11-52, Newtone Elec masters 12-52, Newtone Bison(vista sonic) 11-49, D'Addario EXL115w 11-49,
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Post by shadowhankron on Nov 14, 2009 15:10:08 GMT
Thanks Barry ,,,, Tony...... Keithinalps for your replies, as I did say in opening message That I am no expert in choice of Strings.
regards
Ronnie
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Post by JohnG on Nov 15, 2009 2:37:57 GMT
Hi Ronnie. My set-up is Elixirs 11-52 which makes it good for string bending(Hank does a lot of) and still gives you that bass-i-ness of the Shadows sound. I think Hank only uses 12-52's on a few songs.
Cheers....
JohnG....
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Post by shadowhankron on Nov 15, 2009 9:03:54 GMT
Thanks John G
Next set I buy will be 12-52`s just to see difference
regards
Ronnie
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Post by steelystrings on Nov 16, 2009 22:50:33 GMT
Talking to someone "in the know" at the Derby club last Saturday he said , if you want that sound a wound third is a must"
Steve.
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Post by grip on Nov 16, 2009 23:20:21 GMT
Thanks John G Next set I buy will be 12-52`s just to see difference regards Ronnie Hi Ronnie, You need to consider the effect of the additional strain on your guitar, and the fact that your nut will probably need to be modified to accept the strings and allow them to run freely when using the tremolo. e.g. a D'Addario.017 G string has a tension of 16.6 Lbs (7.53 kg) and a wire wound .022 is 23 .8lbs (10.79kg) thats 50% MORE!!. it will certainly mean you will have to adjust the truss rod to get the relief correct again, also the spring tension in the tremolo set up will need to be changed. If you aren't sure of haw to carry out these tasks, I would advise getting a professional set up done (in the region of £30-£40) on average. Then there is the playing aspect, I changed mine a short while ago and there is considerably more effort required to bend the strings, I have now got grooves in my fingertips, I haven't seen those since I was a fresh faced kid just learning. The positive side is that there is (IMO) a significant improvement in tone. Kind regards, grip
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Post by salvo on Nov 17, 2009 0:06:45 GMT
Hi Ronnie, for my Burns Apache I use D'Addario pure nichel here's the description: Classic electric guitar string tone dates back to the 1950's when pure nickel was the primary alloy used. D'Addario's new XL Pure Nickel strings offer a warmer, vintage tone alternative which many enthusiasts prefer. Diameter String# inches mm
1 .010 .254 2 .013 .330 3 .017 .432 4 .025 w .635 w 5 .035 w .889 w 6 .045 w 1.143 w
Regards,
Sal
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Post by joeboy on Nov 17, 2009 13:17:22 GMT
Hi Ronnie
When I first started playing I asked the same question & did many searches, it became more confusing than ever.
I think a lot depends on finger strength, technique & what sound you are looking for, I tried all manor of strings & I seem to have settled on 11 - 52s
I have 2 Japanese strats, I have tried thin guage & thicker gauge strings & my truss rods have never had to be adjusted even though I check them often. But my son has 3 cheaper guitars & I've had to adjust his necks a few times. So I think a lot also depends on the quality/strength of the neck.
It may also be down to type of truss rod used & how high the action is as I would think (guessing here) that a higher action would place more strain on the neck than a low action?
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Post by shadowhankron on Nov 17, 2009 14:23:35 GMT
Thanks Guys for all this feedback on Strings as I never placed much attention of gauge of Strings, I just replaced when they broke,,, but now since I renewed my Attention on my Fender Strat since I retired I have since Joined Charlie Hall & Friends Forum which has Taught me so much, and yes you are all Wonderful Friends here Thank You Charlie for creating this Forum Site. Back to Strings... Why and what difference can a Wound 3rd String make. I had my Guitar serviced last week and Truss Rod adjusted.... My Friend owns a Large Music Store in Dublin and had his Guitar Engineer completley service my Guitar. The rest is up to me to Play if Correct. Regards to All Ronnie
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Post by grip on Nov 17, 2009 16:11:21 GMT
Hi Ronnie,
The difference a wound third string makes is that it less "tinny" sound.
Hi Robert,
The neck relief on mine went up from .009" to .013" (I checked before and after string change). I could have left it at .013", but decided to adjust the truss rod back to .009"
Kind regards,
grip
Kind regards,
grip
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Post by shadowhankron on Nov 17, 2009 17:19:55 GMT
Thanks Grip & Robert I know a bit more regarding strings and gauges. Regards Ronnie
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