Sorry, more string questions??

[chasAK]

Hi, hope everybody is have a good Christmas & holiday season.

I’m sorry, I am still stuck on strings. I had the saddle and nut change out to bone in my J45 and I had ivory bridge pins put in (I wanted bone but that was all he had at the time). It is louder and definitely has more note clarity. The sustain was also substantially increased. The tone seems to be brighter. This is in part to the saddle and I believe also in the strings. I am going to try the John Pearse strings as suggested on this forum. But not until these are dead sounding, I don’t play professionally anymore and I am cheep. The luther (sp?, I am foneticowly challenged!) suggested a set of acoustic jazz strings for acoustical guitars sold at Pete’s Violin shop. I was there today getting some string for two of our violins and inquired about the guitar strings. They are flat wound string, probably sound nice on an arch top. I have never heard of using flat wounds on a flat top acoustic guitar. He also said I should not use the 12s (12 – 54) on my J45. That concerns me as I have had terrible bridge problems on a j160 I use to own (traded it in on my 45) Do flat wound have more tension? The standard wound strings 12s are considered light. Also someone in the forum mentioned round wound strings. Could someone give me some brand and product names of round wound acoustic strings. Most packages I have looked at do not say round wound. I am currently using Martin Marque 12s. From what I have read on this forum 12s and 13s are OK on my j45.

 

PS My strings have gotten better sounding, but a little less bright would be my desire. I have enjoyed the forum though pressed for time lately.

 

chasAK

[larryp58]

chasAK- A big can of worms to open up!!! Everyone here has their own preference and reasons to substantiate them! Personally, I use Elixer Nanoweb Lights. They sound great on both my Gibsons. I've tried others, but always came back to the Elixers. I'm sure others will offer their choices also. Just go with what sounds best to you!

[RASHARU]

Elixir Nano Phospher/Bronze .. any gauge you like. I've tried 'em all. (the mediums rule!)

[bkharmony]

You should certainly keep experimenting with strings, but IMHO, they are one of the least important factors affecting tone. I'd suggest looking at different types of picks (assuming you're a flatpicker/strummer). You might be surprised.

[chasAK]

Hi, it's me again.

My question is not so much what strings everybody is using.

1. Does anybody use flat wound strings on a flat top acoustic?

2. Is there a difference in string tension between flat wound and regular wound strings?

3. What about round wound, I assumed they were all round wound. What is round wound verse the popular wound strings and do they sound different and do they comparatively have a lighter or heavier tension than the popular wound?

4. The pick material is interesting. I knew a bass player that used a felt pick. I am not sure what style I play. I play a lot of cord variations with the melody, it's all simple but nice. I've just started playing again after a long, long time of neglect. I do play strumming sometimes as well, it's fun to do the sing along thing. I chose the j45 because it was the best sounding mahogany sounding acoustic I found that was available. What would you suggest for pick material within a reasonable price?

[Murph]

What would you suggest for pick material within a reasonable price?

 

The Bluechip is very popular among some circles......

 

I prefer the Dunlop Totex.

 

In fact, I'm gonna go looking for some yellow ones today, and I have no idea why..........

[Shambolic]

You should certainly keep experimenting with strings, but IMHO, they are one of the least important factors affecting tone. I'd suggest looking at different types of picks (assuming you're a flatpicker/strummer). You might be surprised.

 

 

I am surprised you found this too be the case. My experience is to the contrary (although I do agree on the influence of picks when I play with one). I have found strings to be a massive influence on sound and feel to the degree that I wonder now if some of my buying decisions have been based around the strings on a particular model.

[Murph]

In reality there are only a handfull of string manufacturers.

 

They are just put in different packages, with different names on them.

 

Do you think Gibson strings are made in Elgin, Illinois?

[ponty]

This link is an excellent overview of string construction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strings_(music)

Flat wound and round wound will have the same tension given the same overall gauge and the same gauge core wire.

Some manufacturers such as Martin (Flex-core) and Newtone (all strings) offer strings which have lower tension

than other makes of the same gauge. This is achieved by having a thiner core wire. I have tried both, and both were easier to play,

but I wasn't too struck by their sound.

I can hardly believe that a Luthier would recommend NOT to use 12s on a J-45. They can and do take up to 13s.

12s are well suited to a J-45.

Just for your info...I have played guitar for nearly 40 years (and still a novice!) and have tried every brand, gauge, and material

but have not firmly settled on one. Keep looking!

[chasAK]

This link is an excellent overview of string construction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strings_(music)

Flat wound and round wound will have the same tension given the same overall gauge and the same gauge core wire.

Some manufacturers such as Martin (Flex-core) and Newtone (all strings) offer strings which have lower tension

than other makes of the same gauge. This is achieved by having a thiner core wire. I have tried both, and both were easier to play,

but I wasn't too struck by their sound.

I can hardly believe that a Luthier would recommend NOT to use 12s on a J-45. They can and do take up to 13s.

12s are well suited to a J-45.

Just for your info...I have played guitar for nearly 40 years (and still a novice!) and have tried every brand, gauge, and material

but have not firmly settled on one. Keep looking!

 

Pete is a violin luthier but does do some repairs on guitars. I was surprised at his advise as well. Thanks for the informationa and link! Also, thanks for the encouragement concerning 40 years and still not firmly settle!!