Mr. Robot Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 I just put my ES-175 through a major set-up and changed the strings from the D'addario Jazz/Rock strings to much heavier guage Gibson L5's. The result is spectacular. The guitar sounds much louder acoustically, and the tone is much better. The guitar also sounds much better through an amp. I wont be doing any fancy string bending on this baby, with the heavier guage strings, but they just suit the guitar so much better. The set up was done by Joe at Gallins Guitars, Blackburn in Melbourne. The guy is a pro and does set ups for the big boys. He really knows how to set up Gibby's and takes great care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian s Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 I use those too, 11-52, the heavier strings really suit a 175. 335 gets 11-48s as does my Strat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanC Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 Mr Robot - which Gibson L5 strings did you use or is there only one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Robot Posted December 18, 2009 Author Share Posted December 18, 2009 Hi Alan. They are 12 - 56. I dont know if there is more than one guage, but I dont think so. I see you are a fellow Melbournite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakehaus Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 I tried flat wounds, 13s, 12s, 11s... I agree with the OPs assessment, but for my style I found round wound 10s work best for me and my set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artmaker Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Flatwound 11's work best for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanC Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 I use D'Addario Chromes (flatwounds) 12's. They are my favorites! I've tried others but I'm happiest with these. Having said this I'm about to try LaBella strings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Robot Posted December 21, 2009 Author Share Posted December 21, 2009 I use D'Addario Chromes (flatwounds) 12's. They are my favorites! I've tried others but I'm happiest with these. Having said this I'm about to try LaBella strings. How long do those flatwounds last? My guitar tech says i should try them, but that they go flat pretty quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanC Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Hi Mr. Robot, 'How long do those flatwounds last? My guitar tech says i should try them, but that they go flat pretty quickly.' I've been using the flat wounds for about two+ years. Initially I started with 11's but quickly moved to 12's. I find they last for ages, say 2 months and don't seem to deteriorate much. And even when I change them I don't really think that I need to. I probably change them because I have got used to changing ordinary strings every couple of weeks or even less if I play a lot. When I played a lot in bands I changed my Les Paul Ernie Balls (10's) every 3 or 4 days. But the flat wounds play great for a long time! Try one set and see what you think. They are sort of hard to get in Melbourne. I have to order them in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Robot Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 Thanks Alan. My guitar tech recommended 12's in the flats too. And you are right, they are hard to get. I have been waiting for weeks for them at my Gibson dealer in Blackburn. He thinks I may have to have another set up if I change over aswell. Ouch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 To someone that is used to playing roundwound strings, flatwounds will sound, well "flat" right out of the box. That's how their supposed to sound. You really only need to change them when they tarnish, break or begin to have tuning problems. I use 14-67 flats on my L-5. The guitar gets played regularly in two bands, a 20-piece "big band", and a sextet. Between rehearsals, practice and gigs, the guitar gets played between 20 and 30 hours a week. I change the strings ONCE A YEAR. I will add I do use very expensive LaBella strings, but even something like the common D'Addario Chromes should give somewhat similar results. Depending on playing style, my work calls for chunking a lot of fancy chords, a few solos and virtually no string bending, you should still only have to change a good heavy set of flats no more than twice a year. "Individual Results May Vary" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Robot Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 Thanks for that Larry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.