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3,968 posts
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Post by salteedog on Aug 31, 2018 9:39:57 GMT
Re. Violins versus guitars. Frets make a difference. And to @chedapapa's point - the 'dents' that frets make in guitar strings will over time impact the ability of the string to hold intonation along it's length (tension/elasticity inconsistency). Presumably some strings dent less than other, and some players cause less wear on strings than others.
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3,457 posts
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Post by LeoThunder on Aug 31, 2018 10:13:35 GMT
Frets wearing out strings is an interesting possibility but most of what I read is about strings "dying" (going dull) long before any intonation problems occur. I see people saying they won't keep strings on for more than two or three weeks, some will say their strings go "dead" after two nights. These are either over-zealous and fearful of sounding as if they haven't showered for a week, or they have come to think of the "zing" of brand new strings as their normal, desired or needed sound.
That screechy, bright sound was what kept the violin as a cheap, vulgar, undesired instrument in its infancy. Only the mellowing of that tone made the instrument something noble, worthy of serious music. Harshness was never much of a quality in music. And if we judge by much of current taste in guitar sound, it still is pretty much the case today. Only specific genres call for hard attacks. Zingy strings, by the way, are not something I recall hearing on recordings. I know when I put fresh, over-bright strings on that they sound like nothing I ever got used to on records, more like two harpsichords copulating. Not pretty.
I have been listening to Chris Squire lately. He kept changing strings too, and his bass tone is very present, defined but never unpleasant. Not "zingy". And I'm pretty sure that two severely different tones coming from the high plain and low wound string was never seen as a quality for an instrument. That, at least, ought to be a consensus.
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3,457 posts
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Post by LeoThunder on Aug 31, 2018 10:38:32 GMT
And, of course there was John Entwistle who changed his bass strings every gig but then again he was supplied them for free by Rotosound. Maybe I need some Rotosounds! I remember seeing some advert by Gillette or Wilkinson, praising their new multi-blade thingy and telling their customers they might want to shave twice a day. Of course, this is what every blade, shampoo or string seller wants you to unconsciously perceive as the normality you have failed to conform to: shave twice a day, wash your hair daily, change strings every gig.
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Post by Vincent on Aug 31, 2018 11:07:02 GMT
I love the sound of a brand new set of strings. The spank. That twang. Like you get with a tele or a strat and a fender reverb amp, etc. I like a mellow tone too and to me it always sounds better with fresh strings. Also a new set of strings look and feel better to me. They inspire me more and I play better. I cannot abide filthy strings. I am OCD with fretboards too. There is a feature on youtube with Mike Campbell showing us his guitars. One in particular, could have been a tele, well it was disgusting. It was sickening to watch. I would not touch that thing with rubber gloves. I wonder if guitarists with filthy gear have personal hygiene issues too.
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Post by blindwilly3fingers on Aug 31, 2018 11:32:12 GMT
Ernie Balls are zingy for a couple of weeks but do calm down. I've used slinky 9's & 10's, at present I have 10's on my epiphone les Paul.
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3,457 posts
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Post by LeoThunder on Aug 31, 2018 12:06:02 GMT
I love the sound of a brand new set of strings. The spank. That twang. Like you get with a tele or a strat and a fender reverb amp, etc. I think this varies with the type of strings. The last time I put new Fender strings on, I had no problem with them. They were just fine. Nicely bright without a funny sound. Then I put some Pyramids on another guitar and that was a shock. They had an ugly, metallic, nasal buzzing sound (not fret buzz). It didn't last but they were horrible for a couple of weeks. It took some time because I barely played that guitar as a result. The Orphee I tried next didn't have it to the same extent, I'd say they were tame in that respect. D'Addarios I had didn't have that at all, sounding beautifully round and musical.
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Post by blindwilly3fingers on Aug 31, 2018 13:23:32 GMT
I had that (still have) buzzy sound with cheap multi coloured acoustic strings from amazon. I have had them on 3 weeks and its got no better, they are coming off. The Ernie Ballsacks slinkys usually settle down after a fortnight at most, perhaps you have some from an iffy batch?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2018 18:40:51 GMT
The more I read this thread the more I'm falling in love with my D'addarios! The 3 set package is good value!
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3,457 posts
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Post by LeoThunder on Nov 27, 2018 7:35:59 GMT
Update on Orphee strings: when I used my first set, the 0.010 string unravelled and left its ball end when put under tension. After trying to use another set, its E string did the same and that from a third set too. Other brands never did. This problem was documented on Youtube for .009 gauge strings. The guy showing them had no issues with 0.010 but mine all went bad.
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3,457 posts
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Post by LeoThunder on Nov 27, 2018 10:25:24 GMT
I wonder what's the problem. The strings don't break, they just slip around the ball under tension, as if the knot went undone: It happens on the first tuning up. The string never gets to high E. Pitch goes down in one abrupt step then further tuning up only pulls it through. For some reason, it doesn't happen with the thicker plain strings.
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