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Post by godotwaits on Dec 4, 2012 22:45:12 GMT -5
OK. Let's say you got two guitars here. One you play in standard tunings (And Dropped D as required) And another you keep in open tunings (DADF#AD, DADGAD, etc) and you got two sets of strings.
OK. We're big procrastinators here! We're too fucking lazy to change our strings because we learn to well to live with them. They don't grow harder to tune, they just fade away. So it usually takes a string or two that won't tune easily before we get fed up and change the fucking things.
So, you change the strings and lord and behold. we're playing like hound dogs for a month or two on how well they sound. There's always an unexpected pleasure in changing the strings. Particularly if you're young dog who plays more than a year without a change. '
So, here's the poll: You got two sets of strings: EXP D'addario phosphor bronze and Elixer Nanowebs 80/20 Bronze.
Which set of strings do you put on which guitar?
Conundrums and vicissitudes welcome.
you got about 5 mins to answer then I make my change.
Dig it. Go!!!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2012 23:12:27 GMT -5
EXPs. I'm a creature of habit.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2012 23:13:05 GMT -5
PS - I change my strings every month or two, even over here.
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Post by godotwaits on Dec 4, 2012 23:14:57 GMT -5
On which? Standard tuning or open tunings. ?
Not a trick question. Just a quick version of advice.
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Tamarack
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Post by Tamarack on Dec 4, 2012 23:18:56 GMT -5
Hard to make a recommendation without knowing what woods the guitars are made of and the general tonal characteristics -- dark, bright, crisp, toasted wheat underpinnings, etc.
That said, I would put the Elixir 80/20s on the guitar used for drop tunings (might add some color to the lower registers) and the D'Addario phosphor bronze on the guitar used for standard tunings. (I usually don't like 80/20s -- they tend to sound tinny -- but can sometimes brighten up and add balance to a dark-sounding guitar)
(I get paid to change strings. The strings on the Taylor are relatively new, but my banjo strings are over a year old, dulcimer strings are two or three years old, and strings on the Yamaha beater are about five years old)
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Post by godotwaits on Dec 4, 2012 23:22:30 GMT -5
Over there. I can't even imagine the climate over there. Must be dusty, humid and remote. Hell on strings, I'm sure. But two sets of strings laying side by side, by my bursa embroidered elbow. EXP's or Nanowebs ; which to which. ??
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2012 23:26:47 GMT -5
Yeap, all of the above, and the strings crud up pretty fast. The guitar itself, being made of carbon fiber, is impervious to it all. As I only have one guitar over here, I just change tunings as required. I've been bouncing around among standard, drop-D and open G recently.
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Post by godotwaits on Dec 4, 2012 23:28:29 GMT -5
Standard tunings ax is koa back and sides with an elegantly aged spruce top. Sounds like a redhead surrounded by a phalanx of honey.
Open tunings is a Ovanghols back and side with a resisitant spruce with a harmony of plenty.
They're both a bitch to know.
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Post by godotwaits on Dec 4, 2012 23:30:58 GMT -5
Paul: I envy the sound that you're hearing and almost wish I could be over there.
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Post by MaxBlanca on Dec 5, 2012 4:01:24 GMT -5
I was going to say the same thing as Tamarack. I would put the strings that would provide the most clarity on the low tuned guitar. I think that would be the 80/20 elixirs. The lower I go, the more I appreciate clarity, imo.
Caveat: I have tried those strings and have a brief impression, but I don't use coated strings.
Actually, I would probably put my favorite of the two strings (if I had a preference) on the guitar I play the most.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2012 7:26:42 GMT -5
Tam got it right.
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Post by dickt on Dec 5, 2012 8:04:17 GMT -5
For non-standard tunings it's the gauge that's more important to me. I play in open D and CGDGBE and CGDGCD (Orkney). I need to have the bottom strings heavy enough to not sound flabby when tuned down. I used to order some John Pearse sets with custom gauges that fit the bill, but I usually just buy mediums in the store these days since that's all I'm going to find. Since I change pretty infrequently I've taken to using Elixirs rather than the old standby JP Phosphor Bronze. I don't like 80/20's much.
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Post by drlj on Dec 5, 2012 8:10:40 GMT -5
Changing a set of strings takes 5 minutes. Live a little, spend 10 minutes of your life and do both.
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Post by Marshall on Dec 5, 2012 8:28:00 GMT -5
. . . , (I get paid to change strings. . . . , ) It's my wish to get paid to dirty them. But Tam's treatise is a pretty accurate description of conventional wisdom. There's something to that. But I'm not one to follow convention. I pick a string (Nano-web lights 80/20) and go with them on everything. Long scale/short scale/dark/light. I like the feel and response of the same string. Buy them by the box. It works for me. But go with Tam and Marty.
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Dec 5, 2012 8:43:43 GMT -5
I change my strings twice a year whether they need it or not. 80/20s, not plastic coated.
Mike
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Post by Doug on Dec 5, 2012 8:55:59 GMT -5
If it ain't broke don't fix it. ;D I'm not back to the early sixties yet when I changed the string that broke but I'm getting close. I hate the sound of new strings so I don't change them till they won't tune.
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Post by Lonnie on Dec 5, 2012 9:30:31 GMT -5
Elixir 80/20 Nanoweb on the walnut Goodall - D'Addario phosphor (uncoated) on the rosewood Martin.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2012 10:16:37 GMT -5
Changing a set of strings takes 5 minutes. Live a little, spend 10 minutes of your life and do both. 3 minutes, unless I'm in a hurry. But that is at my bench with all the proper tools at hand. A *good string winder, bridge pin puller, wire cutter, needle nose pliers and the most important tool for doing a fast and easy string change, a neck vise. *I make and use my own string winders but if you want to get a good winder cheap get a Herco.
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Post by godotwaits on Dec 5, 2012 13:00:37 GMT -5
Jeeesh! Marty. YOu are a speedo. I'd probably be more motivated to change more often if I had that set-up. I'm like a 30-40 minute guy and another 20 mins to stretch them out gently. And usually, it isn't for a day or so before they "click in" and then I can hear the incredible difference.
The coated strings do have a way of fooling you for a long time.
But I appreciate the feedback and have made a decision about which to which.
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Post by dickt on Dec 5, 2012 13:58:07 GMT -5
I have a complicated setup for changing strings. It's called a lap. But I'd add on a few minutes for 1) retrieving the bridge pin that rolled under the couch, 2) fighting with the cat over the spent strings, 3) finding a rag to clean the top and peg head under where the strings were.
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