The Player's Lounge / Strings & Things / GUITAR TALK

broke two 9s practicing full step bends

gtrplyr121 — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:52:10 GMT

I use D'ads and I broke two 9s last night practicing bends. I was only doing full step bends nothing over that. The first sting was over two months old with a lot of time on it, but the second one was out of a brand new pack? Should I go up to 9.5 or 10?
Thanks,gtrplyr

EJ16's to EJ19's

Taylor — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:45:55 GMT

Quick question.
I'm using EJ16's (12-53) at the moment and am thinking about changing to EJ19's (12-56).
Does the truss rod need to be adjusted for this or will everything be ok?

how to get strings for drop C tuning?

Father Pinky — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 06:02:45 GMT

Hi everyone!!!

I have got a need, and my need is to get a custom gauge strings for mine ½drop C½tuning:

C-G-c-f-a-d´(the same tuning is used by "System Of A Down").

Thanks to d´Addario´s string tension guide, I have calculated the right gauge for my desire tension comparing it with 9-46 sets on standard E-A-d-g-b-e´ tuning, and to get it I would need this gauge: (top to the bottom)

59-42-30-19-13-11

So I wonder where could I get this particular string set from without spending a fortune, or if anybody could guide me where could I order this strings as singles from?

Thanks in advance!!!

p.s. www.fatherband.com

www.myspace.com/fatherband

D'Addario Guitar Strings.

Billy Shears — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:27:45 GMT

Well since I had ventured into guitar land I could see that guitar strings aren't going to last nowhere near bass strings.

I practice every other day for two hours. I just put on a fresh set of XL 115W's. They been on for three weeks and they are starting to show signs of wear. They sound okay still, but I now understand why guitar guys change strings once a month.

I guess I better start buying the three packs of the XL115's without the wound G to save some$$.

The ten packs for $34.00 is a bargain.

The guitar world is a whole different ball game.

But hey, I learned how to play the opening of Led Zep's Kashmir! Im starting to get the feel for the new instrument now and im actually doing solos and riffs, and they sound pretty good! I sound particularly good with my Boss CE-20 Chorus, in clean or dirty mode.

Just started playing again after 18 yrs. and have a few questions

syner — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:50:59 GMT

I just picked up my acoustic guitar in hopes of playing again after about 18 years. It's probably a pretty poor quality guitar as far as they go, but I don't know a whole lot about that - it's a Carlos. At any rate, some things are a little foggy:

1. My finger tips are hurting way more than I ever remember them hurting when I started playing back in the day. Is there any kind of quick fix for this, like using a particular guage string? I think I've got light guage strings on now.

2. If my hands are clean when I begin playing and I play for an hour per day, roughly how long can I expect my strings to last?

3. When I put new strings on, they seem to have a really difficult time staying in tune. I seem to remember stretching them while stringing the guitar but I can't really remember the specifics. Should I be doing something something special other than just putting those suckers on and tuning them up?

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Private Label Strings

Shad Shadington — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:51:44 GMT

Does anyone know who else D'addario makes private label strings for besides John Pearse Strings?

Wrapping strings around the peg

Thaxter — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:45:31 GMT

I have a Taylor Big Baby and a Yamaha Silent Steel string guitar. In both cases, when I restring, I have a hard time getting that first wrap around the tuning peg to not bend at an angle. At Taylor they have a detailed step by step instruction about restringing, and in the illustrations the strings seem to curve effortlessly around the peg, wrapping perfectly against it. Instead, I get sort of a 45 degree first angled wrap, then have trouble getting the strings to sort of line up in neat rows in their successive wraps.

Maybe it just takes practice, but any tips would be appreciated. :)

The Shelf Life of String Packs

Brucemac — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:49:58 GMT

Hi! New member here.:)

Lately I've been buying up 5-packs and 10-packs of D'Addario EXL120s. Not only am I getting excellent deals by buying the strings from the U.S. (compared to prices here in Australia), the multi string packs at the moment have great bonuses like the Chordmaster and the S.O.S. mini tuner.

At last count I had 32 sets of 120s and 5 sets of 125s. The strings come in corrosion resistant sealed packs although I'm guessing that some slight rusting still occurs.

Am I being realistic to expect the strings to be like new when unwrapped in 3 or 4 years time?

Slightly off-topic: The 120s and 125s are close in gauge (9 to 42 vs 9 to 46). Would anyone recommend a truss rod adjustment when changing between the two sets?

Flat Wound vs Ribbon Wound

PaulWB — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:37:27 GMT

I've heard that flat wound strings are different from Ribbon wound. I have two different sets of D'Addario strings that have the same part number - ECG24.

One is a set of Chromes XL Warm/Mellow Flat Wound Jazz Light .011-.050 ECG24. The package has a black background with a purple circle.

The other is a set of Chromes Electric Guitar Strings ECG24 High Finish Ribbon Wound Jazz Light Guage .011-.050. The package has a black background with an orange circle.

Are these the same strings with different packaging? They seem different to me but maybe one is older than the other.

D'Addario price rise January?

marsguitars — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 07:38:05 GMT

Hi, I heard a rumour that D'Addario string prices are going up 1st Jan 2008 - is this true? If so, by how much?

Thanks,
Paul

Strings for Classical nylon / Fingerpicker

confusedmime — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 05:49:35 GMT

im basically a beginner player and i have a old hand me down classical acoustic, ive always just used the normal Pro Artes but ive been wanting to try something different for a change. i primarily fingerpick everything so i was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for some good strings that can last through the grime of my oily fingers and still sound good with a finger picking style. Also every time i try to look for strings online i have no idea if they are nylon or steel last time i attempted buying online i got steel strings instead so not sure where to buy from or what any help would be greatly appreciated.

The First/Earliest Steel Guitar Strings?

1 Cal — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:05:26 GMT

Hi, newb here.

Can anyone tell me when steel strings were first made/used for/on guitar... who by, and what sort of guitar(s) were they used on? I'd like to know all that, but just when steel strings were first made and/or used would be great.

I've done an initial search with no success. I've looked for a D'Addario help e-mail address with no success. I've Googled with no success. HELP PLEASE! :crying:

Cal

bass strings

welder663 — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:42:24 GMT

hi folks I am wondering what would be the best strings to use on a epipjone viola bass,just got it and Iam very knew at this.need some guidence..........glenn

Super Long Scale Strings

zildjman67 — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:20:30 GMT

I recently purchased a "Cheap" 5 string Brice Bass. For the money it seems to be a great value and I'm quite happy with the instrument. The problem is that my scale from bridge to nut is 36 1/2" and I'm having an almost impossible time finding a decent string selection. I was hoping to put ProSteels on this baby, but they don't seem to have them in Super Long Scale. The stings I have currently are Long Scale, but I can't string through the body, and I had to unwrap the silk on both ends to put them on. The strings themselves barely make it to the nut before they start to taper. I was hoping to find some direction here.

Thanks!

XL 157 baritone strings

titan1x — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:07:28 GMT

I am looking at buying a baritone guitar, and they have several scale lengths from 26.5 to 28 inches. i am considering the XL 157 baritone mediums, but it says nothing about varying scale lengths. anyone know if it does not matter (just more string to cut off) as long as its a "baritone" guitar using "baritone" strings. specifically the schecter C1 EX and ESP MHB 400. most likely the ESP.

also, i saw something mentioned on another set of baritone strings referring to a 3/4 scale length, any idea what that means?

Black Nylon Classical Guitar Strings

monitort — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:17:49 GMT

Hello. What are the advantages or disadvantages of using black nylon strings on a classical guitar? And if there are disadvantages, then why is d'Addario selling such strings? Thank you.

Can I use long scale strings on short scale bass?

marsguitars — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 01:21:07 GMT

Hi, a friend is after new strings for his Hofner violin bass, which is short scale.

Can he use regular long scale bass strings or should he get specially-branded short scale strings? If long scale strings are OK, what is the advantage of buying short scale?

Thanks,
Paul

ECB81S Length

Ringo75503 — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:05:41 GMT

I just purchased a Jay Turser JTB-2B Violin Bass (Hofner Replica) and had seen a recommendation of
ECB81S strings for it. Another person has told me that even though it's a short scale neck, the whole bass itself isn't really short scale due to the tailpiece. I measured from the tailpiece where the string begins to the top tuner and it is 37 1/2". Are the ECB81S's going to be too short? Does anyone know the exact length of these strings?

Thanks!

CGCG for bass guitar?

hetjr — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:10:00 GMT

What string set does D'Addario recommend to tune a 4 string bass down to CGCG? More specifically, I have a Yamaha RBX170.

thank you!

-Rob

Suggestion for bass strings

b3bopbass — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:58:57 GMT

I'm fond of flats on bass, so I was considering Chromes for my six string. It's a 33" scale bass that I would like to tune EADGBE. I wanted to use Chromes (ECB80), and I believe there are single strings of .032 available for the B, but none for the high E. I've heard about some bass players using guitar strings and threading them through the ball end of a bass string so that it'll sit properly in the bridge. If this is an option, is there a D'Addario guitar string (preferably flats) long enough that will work with the Chromes? Of course, I'd like the tension and tone to be as closely matched as possible. Any suggestions would be welcome, thanks.

EXP 16 vs EJ-16

Glo®bz — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 09:56:18 GMT

Had a lesson last night and it was the "changing strings lesson" so I put on the EXP-16 set I was given by the D'addario rep. I normally have EJ-16 on, been using those forever on acoustic. My student was stringing a set of EJ-16 he got from me on his.

So that way I could actually compared both freshly out of the bag. Granted two different guitars...

Compared to a fresh set of EJ-16 the EXP-16 feel a bit brighter but not that much. That doesn't last long after a few minutes fo playing them the difference is pretty much next to nothing.

I'm curious how they will compare over time.I will make a point to compare at the next few lessons. So far not much of a difference in feel and sound. But if they truly retain their freshness longer I suspect they'll also retain more brightness than the EJ-16.

Anyone else had an opportunity to A/B them and found good or bad things about them?

Are Ernie Ball coppying D'Addario with new packaging

marsguitars — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:23:01 GMT

I see that Ernie Ball are changing their packaging after 45 years... changing to foil packs...

Ernie Ball's modernized packaging methods ensure that your new string sets sound factory-fresh from the moment you open the package - and will retain their just-opened tone and appeal for even longer than before.

Is this similar to the D'Addario packs? I wonder whether they'll be color-coding ball ends too :)

First time string buyer

LeviM22 — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 03:18:00 GMT

Just received my first guitar and broke a string tuning it. Not sure what strings are on it atm, so i need to know what strings would be best for a beginner on an electric?

Question about Gypsy Jazz strings

timmeh_fz3 — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:52:39 GMT

D'Addario EJ83L Gypsy Jazz Silver Wound Light Acoustic Guitar Strings: can you put these kind of strings on a standard dreadnought guitar? or can they only go on a Selmer Gypsy jazz type guitar?

Best,
Tim

gibson chet atkins sst

guitarizmo — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 09:48:34 GMT

Since the original Monel wound, ToneTempered strings made by gibson are discontinued, can anyone comment on what kind of strings should be used for these guitars.

Strings for Acoustic Bass Guitar

Lowee — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:27:03 GMT

I have written to to other string manufacturers about a string I am developing that will make an ABG (Acoustic Bass Guitar) loud enough to compete with a six string guitar but none of them are interested.

This string would be easy to manufacture.

I would like to speak with a string company about this.

Video of D'Addario strings being made

marsguitars — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 06:14:09 GMT

I found this video of the string-making process - interesting to see how its done.

http://guitarstringguide.com/drupal/node/18

THis was obviously filmed in a D'Addario factory (you can see from the corrosion-intercept packets, if nothing else).

When was this filmed... and anyone know which strings they're showing being made?

String bending

jvanhorn — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:57:00 GMT

Are half rounds harder to bend than round wounds?

Normal Tension vs Hard Tension vs Extra Hard Tension?

chrisle — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 23:06:31 GMT

Can someone please educate me on the differences and why one may be preferred over the other? I'm using a Godin ACS (basically a soild body nylon string guitar w/synth access):

http://www.godinguitars.com/godinacsp.htm

and have used Pro Arte Normal and Hard Tension strings in the past. I just don't recall if there was a noticeable benefit based on the tension. I certainly like the tone of the Pro Arte on the ACS. Just need to figure out which tension to use.

Thanks,
Chris

Bass Chromes

Billy Shears — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 08:59:41 GMT

I put a set of these on my fretless and I love them!

I always used 45-100's but I like these on fretless!

Balanced string tension

cotecj — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:29:11 GMT

I've got a question about string tension across a set of strings. I'm looking at D'Addario EJ15's for my acoustic (Ibanez dreadnought). The string tensions for the set are:

E 16.2
B 17.8
G 27.9
D 27.1
A 25.4
E 20.7

Why do the G, D and A strings have so much more tension? Why don't they user thinner gauges for those strings, to make the tension more even from string to string? For example, D'Addario EXL110's are:

E 16.2
B 15.4
G 16.6
D 18.4
A 19.5
E 17.5

I think having as close to the same tension on each string makes a guitar much more playable. I'm thinking about buying individual strings to make up a set, just to see how it works. Any thoughts?

Strings

hollywood144 — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 21:23:35 GMT

I was wondering if there are any standard or recommended string gauges for alternate tuning, like Eb or D tuning and drop D tuning as well, or if it's just preference and figured out by experimenting

3rd string problem on a classical guitar

leteus — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:16:43 GMT

Recently acquired a [b]La Patrie "Concert"[/b] and am lost as to what to do with the 3rd string.
Fitted EJ46 hard tension strings, and was delighted with the sweet ringing sound on all except the 3rd, no it doesn't loose tune, it just sounds muddy and lifeless. I know that if there is going to be a problem it is invariably this string. I don't for one minute suspect the EJ46's.
Has anyone had a similar problem that they have overcome......perhaps a different tension/gauge string........Any ideas would really be appreciated as this does spoil the Concerts beautiful tone.

10-52 or 12-54 for Drop C?

MetalcoreHead — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:17:41 GMT

Hi,

That's my first post and I just want to know what gauge is best for Drop C, 10-52 or 12-54?

EXL140 or EXL145?

Thanks

D'addario strings

D'addario Tom — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 05:11:06 GMT

I'm new to the whole guitar thing and have purchased my first set of d'addario strings for my acoustic which sound great but i was just wondering why choose d'addario? What's so good about d'addario strings? why do you choose d'addario?

Thanks replies would be appreciated and any more reccomendations for strings would help to!

D'addario Tom!

XL 115's with Wound G String.

Billy Shears — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 10:03:45 GMT

Anyone here ever use these? How are they?

DROP A TUNING!!!

DanHotSauce88 — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 03:20:33 GMT

I'm currently playing in a band that uses drop A tuning. I use a 4 string Fender American Jazz for this. I had to file out the nut a little bit 'cause of the gauges I use.

I know 1.45 is the highest gauge D'addario makes for bass strings so I will stick with that for my low A, but as far as the other strings go what gauge do you suggest I use for each string? The tuning i'm in goes from A,E,A,D Respectively. Any info on how I can tell what gauge string would work best with whatever tuning i'm in would help. It's a 34" scale length. Thanks.:w00t:

How does "corrosion intercept technology" work?

marsguitars — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 12:07:23 GMT

Hello all, just wondering how the Corrosion Intercept bags work on D'Addario guitar strings... and what is the shelf life of strings in these bags? Can I keep sealed sets indefinitely or will they deteriorate after a year or two?

Also, does the Q-code printed on the bag include date info?

Thanks,

Paul

Strings for OPEN C tuning?

hetjr — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:01:56 GMT

what singles would be the absolute best for a 6 string gibson scale neck? It's a tuning I've never used. I have used 12's for tuning down to B and C standard but it seems like it might not be a very good idea to just tune 12's all willynilly.

thanks.

PROBLEMS WITH LONG LIFE STRINGS

zirklers — Tue, 09 May 2006 17:54:48 GMT

I tried Elixir strings and I mean I bought a box of 10 packs on the claim that they(Nanoweb coated strings) last a long time - up to 5 times normal strings, but I had a lot of breakages, meaning I could only get through one gig before having to replace the set because there would invariably be a failure if I tried to push through to a second gig. That means the life of some of these strings comes to about 3 hours of playing before they would shred off near the ball end.

Well I gave up on them and just boiught a box of the Daddario coated string EXP and same situation. I heard along the grapevine that Elixir strings are made in the Daddario factory but I have no way to confirm this as fact. All I can surmise is that the product is flawed and if I have to change strings every gig, the cheaper alternatives work fine and have so far outlasted the big boasts of the sales professionals. All I can say is that sometimes you get what you pay for and at other times it's all BS.

Anyone else out there have similar experiences ?

Hope this saves you some cash. Cheer Steve