| Author |
Topic: Reflections on strings |
Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 15 Mar 2010 8:51 pm |
|
I thought this might be of interest since we have read a fair bit about strings lately and how long they last and how sometimes they break prematurely.
I have been winding a couple of pickups lately and putting them on my BenRom home built steel for testing.
The way I change pups is to simply loosen off all the strings so I can stick a finger under them and lift the pup out of or into the cavity. When the pup is in place, I do a quick re-tightening with the winder, tune up and try out the pup. I find faults, take the pup back out, put it back in and re-tighten the strings, etc etc. This has been going on 10 times or more the last 4 weeks.
I am using the same set SIT strings, which were new about 4 months ago.
I guess you might call this cruel and unusual punishment for a set of strings, but they have stood up surprisingly well. Only today I broke a string - #1 and this was likely due to carelessness from being too quick and tuning it over pitch with the winder. The string broke just ahead of the string post.
I'll conclude by saying that strings today are of a far better quality than they were 30 years ago.
The guitar in question is the red one, click on the link below.
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
|
|
 |
Pat Comeau
From:
New Brunswick, Canada
|
Posted 15 Mar 2010 9:00 pm
|
|
Bent, you're right on strings are better today, i've used SITS strings since i first started steel almost 20 years ago and changed over to Jagwires last fall i ordered them from Al Brisco and it's just night and day ...Jagwires tough longer without breaking and sound alot better to my ears IMHO. 
oh...and less cabinet drop with the Jagwires  for me anyway
_________________
Comeau SD10 4x5, Comeau S10 3x5, Peavey Session 500,Fender Telecaster,Fender Stratocaster, Fender Precision,1978 Ovation Viper electric. Alvarez 4 strings Violin electric.
Click the links to listen to my Comeau's Pedal Steel Guitars.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIYiaomZx3Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2GhZTN_yXI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvDTw2zNriI |
|
|
|
Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
|
Posted 16 Mar 2010 3:29 am
|
|
if a string breaks at the bend which moved off the post that's not the strings fault.
ANY string , any brand, any age, which allows the bend to move off the post and is brought back to pitch is a string that is just about to break. That is not brand specific.
I have never had success, ever, with loosening strings for whatever the reason then bringing them back to pitch, I have found sometimes they sound wobbly,( not the same) like the string rotated .
I think you dun good if you can get strings to return to pitch after loosening them and continue on playing without fear !
Kool experiment though.
t
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
|
|
|
Pat Comeau
From:
New Brunswick, Canada
|
|
|
|
Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 16 Mar 2010 8:52 am
|
|
Tony, Yes, this was an experiment in string breakage and how they withstand same without breaking. Sure, they don't sound the same as before, but that's another experiment. It shows the strength of the string now compared to years ago, when they broke way more frequently. I suppose some credit can be given to the building method of various components of the steel as well.
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
|
|
|
