Guitar Strings - My 40 Years Playing Guitar and I Have Learned Something
I have been playing guitar for 40 years and believe I have tried every type of Guitar String known to man.
Thank heavens they are relatively inexpensive.
When I started playing Round Wound strings were the best.
They were easy on your fingers, didn't make that annoying screech when you slide around, had a nice mellow sound and would last a long long time.
What made them the best is that they were the most expensive.
Yep, they last a long time to the point where one day instead of a note from your guitar all you got was a Thud! Now the strings are dead, really dead and probably rusted.
I tried the Nashville straights, great concept in that they came in a long straight cardboard box and were hermetically sealed to retain their freshness? Think about it, no bending in the package to loosen up the windings was perfect sense.
To start with, one of my favorite guitars is a Guild G-37.
For those of you not familiar with it the sides and back are beautiful Maple wood.
Only thing is that after I've owned it for 33 years it has not mellowed out like a Martin.
No problem, I just use strings that aren't quite as "Bright".
Now, I have tried using several different gauge strings and even though the ones that start with 12 offer a much better tone, they are significantly harder to play until your finger calluses get like the bottom of your feet.
So to keep closer to my Electric guitar I stick with 10's sacrificing tone for playability.
Now to the Electric, my pride and joy, a Gibson 73 Black Les Paul Custom that I purchased new.
I have all the receipts, warranty papers and all the original parts.
Just luv it! Now, what do you want your tone to be? Heavier gauge gives better tone we all know that but it takes a lot of playing to be able to stretch the notes on heavy strings.
I compromise and use 10's usually Super Slinkys.
Another consideration is the Frets, they wear out faster with steel coated strings than Nickel coated and we know how much a fret job costs.
I've tried the coated strings and they really do last longer but don't offer the tone and clarity that I need.
They seem muted and I suppose that's the coating.
All this being said, change your strings often because new strings feel good and give you a great tone and really, they are probably one of the cheapest things you have to buy as a musician.
Happy picking!
Thank heavens they are relatively inexpensive.
When I started playing Round Wound strings were the best.
They were easy on your fingers, didn't make that annoying screech when you slide around, had a nice mellow sound and would last a long long time.
What made them the best is that they were the most expensive.
Yep, they last a long time to the point where one day instead of a note from your guitar all you got was a Thud! Now the strings are dead, really dead and probably rusted.
I tried the Nashville straights, great concept in that they came in a long straight cardboard box and were hermetically sealed to retain their freshness? Think about it, no bending in the package to loosen up the windings was perfect sense.
To start with, one of my favorite guitars is a Guild G-37.
For those of you not familiar with it the sides and back are beautiful Maple wood.
Only thing is that after I've owned it for 33 years it has not mellowed out like a Martin.
No problem, I just use strings that aren't quite as "Bright".
Now, I have tried using several different gauge strings and even though the ones that start with 12 offer a much better tone, they are significantly harder to play until your finger calluses get like the bottom of your feet.
So to keep closer to my Electric guitar I stick with 10's sacrificing tone for playability.
Now to the Electric, my pride and joy, a Gibson 73 Black Les Paul Custom that I purchased new.
I have all the receipts, warranty papers and all the original parts.
Just luv it! Now, what do you want your tone to be? Heavier gauge gives better tone we all know that but it takes a lot of playing to be able to stretch the notes on heavy strings.
I compromise and use 10's usually Super Slinkys.
Another consideration is the Frets, they wear out faster with steel coated strings than Nickel coated and we know how much a fret job costs.
I've tried the coated strings and they really do last longer but don't offer the tone and clarity that I need.
They seem muted and I suppose that's the coating.
All this being said, change your strings often because new strings feel good and give you a great tone and really, they are probably one of the cheapest things you have to buy as a musician.
Happy picking!
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