anyone use a wound 6th string on E9?

Michael Dulin · From: Indiana, USA

anyone use a wound 6th string on E9? why yes, why no, what size...clue me in.MD

mtulbert · From: Plano, Texas 75023

I do. Lots of others do as well. Lloyd G for example.

Main reason for me is that it is a better timbre transition from the higher pitched strings on a steel to the lower strings.

For many players as well it eliminates some cabinet drop and wankiness (for lack of a better term) of the characteristics of a steel 6th string.

Drawback is that it does require more travel to raise and lower the string than the steel 6th. Gauge that I use is a 24 but a 22 can work as well.

YMMV

Regards,
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Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

Many many linear feet of written word on the SGF on the ad & dis advantages of plain & wound 6th strings.

Tucker Jackson · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

Tuning stability: you tune it to G# and it stays there.

Don't know why the plain 6th, of all strings, does that wandering thing where it moves all over the place... so I use a .022w.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I use a .022 plain, and it doesn't wander.
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Larry Allen · From: Kapaa, Kauai,Hawaii

Using a plain for 40 years..never any problem. Always in tune. Smile

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Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

I used a 22w when I played a D10 as I liked the sound.
When I switched to U12 it didn't sound right in the B6 tuning so I went plain.
I raise it to A# and lower it to F#, and it doesn't wander.
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Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Seems the 6th string is the limbo point or bastard string gauge where the plain and wound conflict begins.

There are good points for either. The mellower thinkers seem to gravitate to wound while players who like a snappier, brighter tone prefer the plain.

Colin Boutilier · From: Nova Scotia, Canada

Someone, like myself, learning the ropes on a Carter Starter are using a Wound 6th because we don't have a choice!
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Jack Hanson · From: San Luis Valley, USA

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

As Jon said - this has been hacked over many, many times here. Do a search and you'll find lots more opinions and reasoning.

Unless you want the 6th string whole-tone lower with reasonable lever travel, I think it's personal tonal preference. Personally, I would not live without the whole-tone 6th string lower, and I prefer the plain tonally anyway. As long as I keep the roller nut lubed properly, haven't had any particular problem with pitch wandering - at least any more than other strings. I use a .020 or .022 plain, depending on the guitar. I think I prefer .020 usually, but I've had a guitar or two that seemed to like the .022 better.

Except on a skinny little '73 Sho Bud 6139 Rack and Barrel S10, I haven't had any particular problem with cabinet drop with the unwound 6th. So I put on the wound 6th on that Bud and traded for a Heritage H-575 archtop. The steel sounded great, and played well too - but didn't do what I want setup-wise.

Michael Dulin · From: Indiana, USA

thanks for all responses...I'll look in to past posts as suggested. wandering tuning on 6th is why I'm asking. just won't stabilize. I have removed lower pull rod to isolate the raise...doesn't help. when I wiggle tuning wrench it will return to in tune but will be out again next B pedal activation.MD

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

Most guitars have to be set up and adjusted to use a solid string, Or adjusted and set up for a wound string. A wound string has to travel further to obtain raise or lower note.

You can't just up and change from wound to plain, Or plain to wound and expect the guitar to work proper.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

I generally used a .024 wound for the 6th. A plain string there can sound “boingy”, sometimes. I also liked the idea of having a wound major triad, since I did a lot of what they used to call “tip rhythm” when there was no rhythm guitar or keyboard. It just seemed to voice better behind the lead guitar.

Skip Edwards · From: LA,CA

I went to a 22W on all my steels when I switched from lowering 6 a whole step to raising 7 a whole step.
No complaints...I like the way it feels and sounds.

Steve Mueller · From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

I started using a wound 6th because my '73 Sho Bud came that way and stuck with it. I use a .024W on my Williams E9th necks. Rock solid tuning stability, nearly zero cabinet drop with A pedal, 2 cents with A and B. I don't lower 6th, I raise the 7th a half and a whole step on different knees.
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