Time for New Strings?

Randy Owens · From: West Central Indiana, USA

I've noticed that for whatever reason, my third and fourth strings are almost annoyingly loud. They definitely overpower the others. The guitar stays in tune. I've played around with amp settings but it's still annoying. Is this a sign of worn out strings or am I plucking them with the steel finger picks harder now as I get used to the PSG?
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2003 Mullen Royal Precision, Walker Stereo Steel, Ampeg G-15, Telonics FP-100

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Could be how the EQ is set on the amp.

Randy Owens · From: West Central Indiana, USA

Carl Kilmer · From: East Central, Illinois

Hi Randy. Things to consider, the Crate in not a steel guitar amp
and the MX-300 will not change the volume of any of the strings.
When the strings are starting to to wear out you will notice that
the sustain won't be as good or they may even start sounding out
of tune above the 12th. This should not effect the strings volume.
What you're hearing is most likely the amp or the way your picking.
Everything sounded pretty good on the tracks you sent me.
Lucky
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aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal

Randy Owens · From: West Central Indiana, USA

The Crate thing does make sense, Lucky. I can tune it out with the High setting but the tone goes muddy. It sounds best overall through the tube channel. I don't remember it sounding like that at your house or even up in the library when I brought it home. I've been pushing myself and trying to keep up with the backing tracks at their normal speed. Maybe I AM picking harder and not realizing it.

The Coach's name is still on the front of my guitar so I have to keep up Laughing

And yes, I took the arms off that chair!

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2003 Mullen Royal Precision, Walker Stereo Steel, Ampeg G-15, Telonics FP-100

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

If you're playing two hours a day, I'd give it new strings every 6-8 weeks.
Older strings can start to zing
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Rich Upright · From: Florida, USA

I get about 8 or so gigs from a set of strings, and then all of a sudden I notice that their volume is not consistent for all 10 strings; some are louder than others, causing me to make mistakes when I try & compensate for the phenomenon Also makes me resort to my safe "go to" licks & riffs. When they get really bad, the intonation & sustain goes to hell. 'Course with what gigs are paying nowadays, I try & make strings last a lot longer than I'd like.

Change them strings. Your steel will thank you.
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A couple D-10s,some vintage guitars & amps, & lotsa junk in the gig bag.

Randy Owens · From: West Central Indiana, USA

Kevin Fix · From: Michigan, USA

I have been using Jagwire strings, nickel wound for about 3 months now. Seems to be working out Ok. used Earnie Balls nickel wounds for about 20 years. Both these strings are a lot alike in tone quality. They last about the same. I hate new strings. I like the sound of my strings when they really get broke in. Sounds crazy but when my strings have about a good months of playing on them they sound the best. I am playing a Mullen.

Doug Earnest · From: Branson, MO USA

The easiest and best thing you can do for your sound is to keep decent strings on your guitar.

Johan Forsman · From: Sweden

These may be helpful:

How to Change Strings and Routine Maintenance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjyQ43qs3GU

Detailed Look at How to Change a String:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtlvEWhHvr0

I've only been playing for a year and half, and the first few times I changed strings it felt slow and complicated. Now I enjoy it and feel confident. If you like the sound and feel of new strings, change them on a regular basis and (do not wait until you get problems) you will get quick at it in no time.

One tip, you need a string winder, any kind will do, of course you can do it by hand but it will be frustrating (and slow).

Randy Owens · From: West Central Indiana, USA

Thanks for the YouTube links, Johan! I just watched the first one and he had some good tips. I have the winder that I used on my regular guitars and mandolin and a few sets of E9 strings so I'm good to go. I'm looking forward to doing it as soon as I can get the time to work on it.

There is a video out there somewhere that shows Sarah Jory playing, breaking a string, replacing and tuning it before the song ended.
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2003 Mullen Royal Precision, Walker Stereo Steel, Ampeg G-15, Telonics FP-100

Johan Forsman · From: Sweden

Yes, I think I've seen that... and then there is this one Smile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPienXdvXJ0

Carl Kilmer · From: East Central, Illinois

I use SIT Buddy Emmons strings and play 2 to 6 hours every day.
Being on S/S and I don't play out I try make them last forever. Laughing

The ones I have on it now have been on for 3 months and have no
sustain and sound left. I've been waiting for string 3 or 5 to break
before I changed them but it hasn't happen'd yet, so I've decided
that today I'll change them because I can't go that sound anymore.
Lucky
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aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal

Randy Owens · From: West Central Indiana, USA

I know what you mean about the sound, Lucky. I've isolated this to string #4. It sounds like the tomcat that hangs out around the house Laughing

Since I am a beginner and nearly all of my exercises, lessons and tabs have me playing those 1st and 2nd triads a lot, that string does take a beating.
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2003 Mullen Royal Precision, Walker Stereo Steel, Ampeg G-15, Telonics FP-100

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

Strings can sometimes go bad in just minutes once they have enough time on them. Tuesday night I was at our Jam Session and about the 3rd song of the night 4-5-6-startd sounding weird. I checked the tuner and they were in tune but #^$&*(%((%.
I always write on the new strings I put in my seat the date of last change.8/11/16. These are SIT 12U Stainless Steel. Got it home and changed strings immediately.

Randy Owens · From: West Central Indiana, USA

I changed out the stings with a plain steel S.I.T Emmons E9 set. The fourth string quieted back down and the third string survived (for now) and all is well. Now I have to break them in and try to get rid of some of that wound string "zing."

Thanks to everyone for their help!
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2003 Mullen Royal Precision, Walker Stereo Steel, Ampeg G-15, Telonics FP-100

Carl Kilmer · From: East Central, Illinois

Randy, I put a new set on mine last night too, and after about
two hours of playing to get them to mellow out to sound good
and stay in tune, it sounded like I knew how to play it again. Laughing

Lucky
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aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal

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