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Post by james on Aug 7, 2023 19:05:04 GMT -5
With a string winder it’s a breeze. My brother hates the process a lot and consequently has never got it down with practice and repetition to a fast and simple job. I use Elixir on all my guitars so I rarely feel a pressing need to change strings.
I used to use round core Newtone strings now and again because people online would say how much they swore by them. Perfectly good strings. Prefer Elixirs though because they sound new for so much longer.
One thing that, for the extra string life acquired, I think is definitely a habit worth adopting with uncoated strings is to quickly rub a cloth up and down each string after playing.
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Post by John B on Aug 7, 2023 19:53:43 GMT -5
When I was at GC I probably changed 20-50 sets of strings a week. Once you get your routine down it's not a big deal. Since the classicals I worked on were not high quality I used a cordless drill for a string winder; I used a cordless screwdriver for steel strings. If I had a good classical I wouldn't have used the drill because it looked a little scary to observers. Rickenbackers were a pain in the butt. I never charged enough for the doubleneck I changed on a regular basis - any stringwinder I had wouldn't fit for the interior 9 tuners (low 3 strings on the 6 string neck, high strings on the 12-string neck).
I just ordered some GHS thin cores and another set of Optima vintage. Low tension is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. I also ordered a set of locking tuners for my acoustic. Might be too heavy (making the guitar headstock/neck-heavy), but I do like the ease of changing strings and the tuning stability. The set I'm getting is a direct fit for my existing tuners, so I won't be drilling any holes, etc.
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Post by jdd2 on Aug 7, 2023 19:55:22 GMT -5
I'm fine with classicals, it's steel string slot heads that I would avoid.
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Post by drlj on Aug 7, 2023 20:48:38 GMT -5
I have an Ernie Ball power string winder that makes it go pretty quickly but I usually use a zebra wood winder made by a grumpy old guy in MN. It’s all the winder anyone could ever need and it is gorgeous.
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Post by Marty on Aug 7, 2023 22:07:45 GMT -5
I have an Ernie Ball power string winder that makes it go pretty quickly but I usually use a zebra wood winder made by a grumpy old guy in MN. It’s all the winder anyone could ever need and it is gorgeous. At the Podium I took their power winder and cut it a bit more shallow with rounded smoother edges So they would quit nicking headstock finishes. I proudly admit once I got them used to one of my winders they liked them. No not as quick but fast enough and more satisfying. Plus I added a vise to the stringing bench and then a hand winder was real easy to use. |
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Post by RickW on Aug 8, 2023 11:27:49 GMT -5
I like changing strings when it’s done, and they have that nice new feel, and I also take the opportunity the clean the guitar. The actual changing part, no so much.
I also find I like just about every set of strings I put on. A new set of strings is a treat, no matter what. It always comes down to longevity for me, but I don’t have particularly acid fingers, so strings can last for months. Generally use Elixirs, but have the been trying D’Addario XS strings and quite like them. I’d never have thought to check hex core vs round core, I always assumed they were always hex, just for the grip. I could see how it would be a different sound/feel.
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Post by coachdoc on Aug 8, 2023 21:46:19 GMT -5
Are Elixirs hex or round core?
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Post by jdd2 on Aug 8, 2023 21:53:19 GMT -5
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Dub
Administrator
I'm gettin' so the past is the only thing I can remember.
Posts: 19,914 
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Post by Dub on Aug 8, 2023 22:37:02 GMT -5
Are Elixirs hex or round core? Yup. |
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Post by drlj on Aug 9, 2023 6:18:45 GMT -5
If they are round core, it will say on the package.
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Post by PaulKay on Aug 10, 2023 9:06:04 GMT -5
I like changing strings when it’s done, and they have that nice new feel, and I also take the opportunity the clean the guitar. The actual changing part, no so much. I also find I like just about every set of strings I put on. A new set of strings is a treat, no matter what. It always comes down to longevity for me, but I don’t have particularly acid fingers, so strings can last for months. Generally use Elixirs, but have the been trying D’Addario XS strings and quite like them. I’d never have thought to check hex core vs round core, I always assumed they were always hex, just for the grip. I could see how it would be a different sound/feel. I was just looking at the D’Addario XS strings. They run around $20 a set. It's gotten insane how much these companies want for a set of strings. Like a longevity premium. I did find I can buy in the XS strings in bulk (25 sets) that come out to $10 a set. But if they last as long as they suggest, they might be antiques by the time I got to use them all. |
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Post by drlj on Aug 10, 2023 9:12:09 GMT -5
I like changing strings when it’s done, and they have that nice new feel, and I also take the opportunity the clean the guitar. The actual changing part, no so much. I also find I like just about every set of strings I put on. A new set of strings is a treat, no matter what. It always comes down to longevity for me, but I don’t have particularly acid fingers, so strings can last for months. Generally use Elixirs, but have the been trying D’Addario XS strings and quite like them. I’d never have thought to check hex core vs round core, I always assumed they were always hex, just for the grip. I could see how it would be a different sound/feel. I was just looking at the D’Addario XS strings. They run around $20 a set. It's gotten insane how much these companies want for a set of strings. Like a longevity premium. I did find I can buy in the XS strings in bulk (25 sets) that come out to $10 a set. But if they last as long as they suggest, they might be antiques by the time I got to use them all. I use those a lot. They easily go 6-9 months for me. Depending on how much you play them, they come close to being forever strings. They sound and feel great, too. And they stay that way. To me, they are worth the cost, but I do look for sales. |
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Post by Marty on Aug 10, 2023 10:05:15 GMT -5
Are Elixirs hex or round core? They should be hex core. Bob Taylor told me Elixer does not make strings, they coat strings bought from 4 other string makers. |
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Dub
Administrator
I'm gettin' so the past is the only thing I can remember.
Posts: 19,914
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Post by Dub on Aug 10, 2023 11:16:43 GMT -5
Are Elixirs hex or round core? They should be hex core. Bob Taylor told me Elixer does not make strings, they coat strings bought from 4 other string makers. I think there are way more string brands and string companies than there are actual string foundries. They just give the foundries their specs and package the product. I’ve heard there are even fewer wire sources. |
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Post by Marty on Aug 10, 2023 11:36:04 GMT -5
US makers D'Addario, La Bella, GHS, Darco (Martin), DR and maybe Ernie Ball but he started out having them made by others. SIT says they make strings but I'm not sure if that is true. Gibson did wind their own strings back in the day but I don't think they still do. John Pearse have always been made to spec D'Addario. Plenty of strings made in other places and China is now forging US brands like Ernie Ball.
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