Had to change my strings. :(

erik · Posted 21 Jul 2002 12:07 pm

WEll, after stupidly downtuning my 6-string electric and subsequently retuning, i broke my high E-string. I loved the sound of my strings and i don't know what they were. I figured they were .10s but what brand? What composition? I bought a set of D'Darrio XLs. They sound a bit harsh. Hope they mellow out with time. Considering my guitar cost $80 this may sound stupid but i had a tone thing going for a while. If only i could figure out what brand they were. Maybe they are SS, how can i tell?

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Well they pretty much all look the same. Next time keep the wrapper in your guitar case. I have been using Fender 150 L's for over 20 years now, ( 10's on top) I like the consistency and tone and they just feel good to me on my Telecaster. I buy them by the case so it's hard not to remember whats on the guitar when I've got at least 7 or 8 sets in waiting. DO you know if they were stainless steel or Nickel, or flat wound ? That could be a starting point as there are several quality strings in those catagories.
Also the wrap on the ball end may help a good string dealer with identity, maybe.

Good luck
tp

erik · Posted 21 Jul 2002 5:35 pm

Thanks for the thoughts Tony. The strings that were on were not stock because i know they are .10s I suspect the guitar was bought then returned with different strings. They are roundwounds,but how can i tell if they are stainless or not? They are tarnished as i've had them on for over a year. But they sounded sweet... or should i say, hit the tone sweet spot for my particular set-up. These new strings i got sound kinda scooped. My old ones had cutting mids. I've got this down to a science. I can only use a certain pick to get "my" sound. But now that sound is not entirely there.

erik · Posted 21 Jul 2002 5:47 pm

I'd like to add. Even though this guitar is cheap it stays in tune very well. I've only retuned these new strings once, went out for a few hours and yep, still in tune. Amazing considering how thin the neck is.

Martin Weenick · From: Lecanto, FL, USA

Try a magnet on your little "E" string, if it dont stick, its stainless.

------------------

Martin W. Emmons LG III 3/5 Peavy 1000

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Hi Erik, I would try a set of Fender 150's ( Nickel wrap) or Bullets which I believe are stainless, I am not saying they are the answer but they come in both stainless and Nickel wound and the 10's on top are a standard size. You can be the judge as to how you like them. In my opinion, Stainless steel seems to have a tad more brightness but they are supposes to last longer so who knows. I have found for my taste, ( Tele and strats) nickel wound seem to be a tad warmer. I believe any quality string will be consistent, store brands are not the answer though so I would stay away from those.
good luck
tp

nick allen · From: France

This may be stating the obvious, but I suspect any new strings are liable to sound different than your year-old strings... The answer may just be patience... Keep those D'Addarios on for a year, and THEN see if they sound the same as the old ones did...
Nick

erik · Posted 23 Jul 2002 2:51 pm

Well, this is strange: I tried a refrigerator magnet on the old strings, it sticks to all of them. So that means they are nickel? And if so, how come my strings stayed sounding so good after a year? I have more cutting treble on the old ones then these new ones. hmmm

erik · Posted 29 Mar 2003 8:31 pm

Well, after trying about 5 different brands I finally put my old strings back on (3rd time) and added a newer high E string(to replace the broken one). They still sound great! They are super soft too.

Michael Johnstone · From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

Hello....Any year old strings are bound to be streched and have thin spots from fret contact and just generally be harmonically shot to hell.If that's what you call good - enjoy. I change my strings every month or so - twice that often if I'm playing 3 gigs a week or more. I happen to think that the clean bright sound of new strings is a desirable sound and for those who don't, that's what tone controls on an amp are for.

Don Walters · From: Saskatchewan Canada

I may have this wrong, but it's my understanding that it's only the wound strings in a set that are nickle or stainless. The plain strings are the same in both types of sets

??

erik · Posted 4 Apr 2003 1:45 pm

Thanks to everyone for offering suggestions. I am happy to say that I found a set that duplicate the sound I was looking for. Believe it or not i'm using Gibson Brites. They are smooth, clear, loud, and brite to boot. I don't know if they are made specifically for medium scale but they work and sound great for long. Anyone using a Strat or Tele should give these a try. They feel like silk too. It's amazing how strings can sound so differently from each other.

David Doggett · Posted 4 Apr 2003 5:10 pm

Right, the plains and cores are all steel, only the windings come in nickel or stainless. I've heard of bass players loving dead strings, but never heard that from a six stringer. But I have noticed that new strings aren't nearly as important on electric instruments as on acoustics. Still - a year! Man, that's really pushing it. Broken strings are a gitar's way of saying, "Change me, please!"

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: