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Topic: Help!! What strings to use?? |
Joe Gall
From:
DeLand, Florida
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Posted 17 Apr 2012 4:14 am |
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I know this is a pretty basic question but here it goes. For the past several months I've been learning on a Carter Starter guitar and have been buying my strings from www.juststrings.com. This was quite easy as they had two sets to choose from for the Carter Starter model PSG and I ordered them 6 sets at a time and all was well. No issues!
Now, I just purchased an MSA Classic from this site (the white one D-10 from Becky) and I am totally clueless on what strings I will use for this guitar. I will be picking it up this Thursday and would like to order a few sets of strings today from the same website.
The E-9th neck is my main focus for now of course, however, I would like to order a couple sets of strings for both necks. Could someone please make a basic, easy to understand recommendation for strings? Maybe a specific set or gauges that will be best and also wound vs. unwound, steel vs. nickle etc. Keep in mind this is an older MSA Classic...
Thanks for the help!!!
Joe
_________________
Been at this damn thing for a few years now. Not so sure that I'm getting anywhere but it is fun. Sometimes. |
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Henry Matthews
From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2012 5:43 am
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Joe, I also buy strings from JustStrings and you may try the D'Addarios. I use the stainless E9th set.I've had really good luck with them. Also Check out Live Steel Strings, they are awesome and sound really good sold by a formite on forum here. Just do a search, don't have a link.
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Henry Matthews
D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes. |
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Roger Francis
From:
kokomo,Indiana, USA
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Bill Moran
From:
Virginia, USA
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Cartwright Thompson
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Posted 17 Apr 2012 8:03 am
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| I think they got a bump on the head |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2012 9:04 am
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Hi, Joe, there are several choices of string type mainly separated into stainless and nickle. There are many threads about the differences, but many choose one or the other for brightness or longevity. Experimentation will probably inform your preferences there.
The other main concern is gauge, and that depends more on what changes you'll have on your guitar. Almost all sets run .015,.013, for the first two strings. Many players used an .010 for the third for years to reduce string breakage, but .011 seems to have become more standardized lately, for a slightly fatter tone and response. Quite a few people use a .011.5 or even .012, and some manufacturers offer a re-enforced wind on the third (and 5th) string gauge. The 4th string is most often a .014, the 5th .017 or .018 again depending on tonal desire and also depending on whether you lower the 5th as well as raise.
The most critical gauge for many is the 6th string, a wound .020 or even .022 has a beefier tone, but may not lower far enough on some guitars to make the popular G# to F# lower. Many people using that change need a .020 plain string there. In my experience the lower strings vary mostly in tonal response as far as diameter.
Lots of people play for years before settling on gauges they feel give them the best or most even output and tonal response across the neck.
A great place to research is right here in the forum strings catalog to see what the various players are using in their signature sets, or in the back of Winnie Winston's "Pedal Steel Guitar" for what the players were using some years ago.
_________________
Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com
www.musicfarmstudio.com |
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Kevin Mincke
From:
Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA
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Tucker Jackson
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2012 10:44 am
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B0b wrote a nice article on this topic. It discusses the string gauges and nickel/stainless. Most of the info has already been mentioned above by Mark.
http://b0b.com/wp/?page_id=259
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Joseph Carlson
From:
Grass Valley, California, USA
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Joe Gall
From:
DeLand, Florida
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Posted 17 Apr 2012 12:54 pm
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Thanks to all who responded. Strings have been ordered and I will try a few different types and see or should I say hear what sounds the best and go from there!
This site is great I truly appreciate all the help! I just can't wait to pick up the MSA this Thursday!!!
_________________
Been at this damn thing for a few years now. Not so sure that I'm getting anywhere but it is fun. Sometimes. |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2012 2:18 pm
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Just one more aside, Joe, if you don't know what was used on the MSA and replace the strings, you may find yourself having to slightly to moderately retune some of the pulls, strings pull slightly different distances to the same notes based on gauge, construction, (kind of core in the winding), composition, and even shelf life.
Best of luck.
_________________
Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com
www.musicfarmstudio.com |
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Russ Wever
From:
Kansas City
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Posted 17 Apr 2012 4:20 pm
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Joe,
You may realize this already but it's worth a mention.
One critical area in choosing E9th strings is whether your steel is using a wound or plain for the 6th string.
A wound 6th string requires substantially more 'pull' to bring it up to the A-note than does a plain (unwound) 6th string.
If you put a plain 6th string in place of a wound 6th string, you will have to 'back off' (counterclockwise)
the nylon tuner and the 6th string will begin it's pull well after the 3rd string begins (unbalanced).
If you put a wound 6th string in place of a plain 6th string, you will have to give it 'more pull' (clockwise) with
the nylon tuner to bring it up to an A-note, perhaps so much so that the system runs out of 'travel headroom'.
In this case, the nylon tuner becomes screwed in so far that it inadvertently 'holds' the G# (open note)
in a slightly raised (a sharp G#) position.
The solution to that would be adjusting the 'pedal stop' to regain the necessary 'travel headroom'.
Wishing the best
for your vision,
~Russ
_________________
www.russface
www.russguru |
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Joe Gall
From:
DeLand, Florida
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Posted 17 Apr 2012 6:49 pm
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Wow, some great detailed info! Checking out what is on the MSA currently for strings will be more helpful than I would have otherwise known. Thank you, now I will be sure to take note of the strings this gentleman had on this guitar as it sounds as though he was an accomplished player and would have known all of this. Thanks again!!!
As for my vision, I tell people all the time, no need for prayers or wishes for me. Although I appreciate the thought, there are people in much worse situations than I. I am fortunate as I was given a gift. I have been told that I should have been born blind in both eyes at birth and for 43 years I've been able to see with one eye when all tests indicate otherwise. I've been given a gift and for that I am forever grateful!
Thanks again!
Joe
_________________
Been at this damn thing for a few years now. Not so sure that I'm getting anywhere but it is fun. Sometimes. |
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