E-minor7 Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 As some may know, I'm not too keen on new strings. Broken in steel yes, , , and not seldom old ones do the trick. On a good guitar older strings seem to merge with the box and at some point they generate something sublime together. This was discovered after gettin' into scalloped and light-braced acoustics only 7-8 years ago - especially the (vintage) Gibsons. Instead of goin' dead, they tend to find a life of their own, which slowly but surely speaks the truth about the guitar. You really find out 'who' and what they are - and what you 2 can create as a deeper double-unit. A to me unknown Mark O'Connor seems to more than agree. Here is a moving example from this stunning player, who just reunited with his beloved oldie. Definitely worth a visit in the cans. 1945 in 2017 ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkbRAkpYclY And here's the link to the Tube so you can read the story. Enjoy - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Funny you bring this up, as I was just realizing my three old acoustics are wearing strings that are bordering on 6 mos. old. I'll be leaving them as is until I hear a noteworthy drop off. It might have to do with the fact that I've moved them all up to 13's, tuned D to D. All flat picked pretty much every day. It just got cold enough here in upstate NY to fire up the wood heat, so that should change the playing field. Usually, it's for the better, but it means the guitars have to stay put in the cool side of the house for a few months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 It is a common belief among my friends who own old guitars to prefer old strings. Also uncoated strings. We pretty well feel that way too. Some people have sweat that kill strings -- makes them go really dead. If you don't have that problem, strings sound really good on really good guitars for a good long time. Strings seem to sound best after at least one session IMO. Best, -Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 As some may know, I'm not too keen on new strings. Broken in steel yes, , , and not seldom old ones do the trick. On a good guitar older strings seem to merge with the box and at some point they generate something sublime together. This was discovered after gettin' into scalloped and light-braced acoustics only 7-8 years ago - especially the (vintage) Gibsons. Instead of goin' dead, they tend to find a life of their own, which slowly but surely speaks the truth about the guitar. You really find out 'who' and what they are - and what you 2 can create as a deeper double-unit. A to me unknown Mark O'Connor seems to more than agree. Here is a moving example from this stunning player, who just reunited with his beloved oldie. Definitely worth a visit in the cans. 1945 in 2017 ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkbRAkpYclY And here's the link to the Tube so you can read the story. Enjoy - That guitar would probably sound great with rubber bands on it. It's pretty stunning. I have Sunbeams that are at least two years old on my SJ, and probably four years old on my L-OO. They still sound pretty good, if lacking a bit of clarity and sustain, but I've noticed that they're harder to tune to pitch. Electronic tuners seem to get swamped with overtones from old strings, and struggle to find the true pitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 That's impressive, Nick. I'm inspired. I'm gonna' hang with these strings 'til they go flat. You're right about that guitar, though. Rubber bands... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieSchooner Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 When I was gigging I changed strings at least every two-three days. These days, the strings on all my guitars are so old I can't remember the last time I changed them. I'd probably be surprised about how different they'd sound if I changed them. But I probably won't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boyd Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 I've noticed that they're harder to tune to pitch. Electronic tuners seem to get swamped with overtones from old strings, and struggle to find the true pitch. That's definitely true. Over the past couple years I've been changing strings less often, but after 8 or 9 months it starts to bother me that I can't quite get them in tune. I update a spreadsheet each time I change strings since I would otherwise completely forget how old they are. Of the three acoustics I play regularly, one had a string change in January, another in March and the third was changed in June. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 I have the pleasure of owning a 60's Hoboken era Guild F20, which has a rather bright jangly tone, a challenge for finding strings that calm down quickly. This time around the string change schedule carousel ( I spread sheet string changes too ), I took the 6+ month old Thomastik-Infelds off my Martin and put them on the Guild. To my delight they are the perfect match, with sharp but not overly bright articulation. They may be twenty dollar strings but if they last a couple years I'm good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted November 8, 2017 Author Share Posted November 8, 2017 I have the pleasure of owning a 60's Hoboken era Guild F20, which has a rather bright jangly tone, a challenge for finding strings that calm down quickly. This time around the string change schedule carousel ( I spread sheet string changes too ), I took the 6+ month old Thomastik-Infelds off my Martin and put them on the Guild. To my delight they are the perfect match, with sharp but not overly bright articulation. They may be twenty dollar strings but if they last a couple years I'm good. Yes, interesting - there are so many possibilities and variations to explore. Of course I'm not out to bash the pleasure of a new set of strings, but the fresh sound can be overwhelming and actually inhibit a lot of nuances in a guitar. Have to say my 2012 H-birds are surprisingly good with old steel. Also though the bass looses crisp timbre and general power. Spent a lot of time chasing the original sonic flavor they had when I got them - back then I kept delaying the first exchange. And now 12 months after putting Gibson Masterbuilts 80/20 on them again, it's as if we/they're close. No doubt McMaster's 2 45's sound incredible, but I would have preferred to hear them with somewhat faded wires. Not least because Buc knows something about what right-hand-feel and fingertips do for tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 At no additional cost to my fellow old string lovers, I would be glad to break-in new strings and mail back to you in a few months. Thom-I's only please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted November 12, 2017 Author Share Posted November 12, 2017 At no additional cost to my fellow old string lovers, I would be glad to break-in new strings and mail back to you in a few months. Thom-I's only please. Yow man - I would then boil them and begin to rock. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 At no additional cost to my fellow old string lovers, I would be glad to break-in new strings and mail back to you in a few months. Thom-I's only please. An enterprising soul, there. Perhaps you could branch out and also offer a guitar "breaking in" service? Adirondack tops, extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 Yep. Could make a killing just on shipping and handling. Will boil strings for a nominal fee. Distilled water extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 I discovered the benefits of old strings a long time ago. Being a maple lover in my opinion maple + old strings go very nicely together! My Costello has new strings on it and sounds sweet as is ... I will have to wait a while and see how everything goes down. JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 . Perhaps the appreciation of the sound qualities of older strings is directly related to the age of the user. . B) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 Yeah...like muscle cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mafy31 Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 torrefied strings ... coming soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted November 12, 2017 Author Share Posted November 12, 2017 .Perhaps the appreciation of the sound qualities of older strings is directly related to the age of the user. . B) Hahe, , , touché - precious guitar philosopher-ship right there. You can hardly have brand new steel on yourself. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livemusic Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 Sheesh, that guitar sounds fantastic. Might have something to do with the fingers as well lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted November 13, 2017 Author Share Posted November 13, 2017 Sheesh, that guitar sounds fantastic. Might have something to do with the fingers as well lol. Yes, it does - and he plays it like a sticking his hand into a velvet glove. But thinking about it, listening and watching again, wouldn't a 1945 have snow-flake inlays. . (no, I'm wrong) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 I'm confused.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanp33 Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 I love the sound of old strings as well. I normally change mine twice a year. I recently changed strings on my Hummingbird TV and put on D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings. I've found these to feel a lot like worn strings when I put them on. The color is a little different, the strings almost look like electric strings, but the sound and feel is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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