Hey kids.

Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?

Just curious.

DV

"Dave Van"  wrote in message 
news:ENP6k.10577$uE5.1714@flpi144.ffdc.sbc.com...
> Hey kids.
>
> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>
> Just curious.
>
> DV

Yes - not that I have a genuine Gibson - 10-46 on everything (including the 
Tele).
Very boring, I know but hey...

George

Dave Van wrote:
> Hey kids.
> 
> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
> 
> Just curious.
> 
> DV


Just to expand this a bit:

Replace Strats with Strat style guitars with single coil pickups and a 
temolo. Replace Gibson with any style dual humbucker hard tail.

DV

"Dave Van"  wrote in message 
news:RcQ6k.14938$co7.12902@nlpi066.nbdc.sbc.com...
> Dave Van wrote:
>> Hey kids.
>>
>> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>>
>> Just curious.
>>
>> DV
>
>
> Just to expand this a bit:
>
> Replace Strats with Strat style guitars with single coil pickups and a 
> temolo. Replace Gibson with any style dual humbucker hard tail.

Damn. That means I can't play.
All my single single coil guitars have a hard tail and all my humbucker 
guitars have tremelos.
Well, the ibanez and yamaha actually have both.
I have a telecaster with 11s. a PRS SE with 10s, an Ibanez with 9s and a 
yamaha with 8s.
I think the telecaster may go to 10s though.
-- 
Woody

Woody wrote:
> 
> "Dave Van"  wrote in message 
> news:RcQ6k.14938$co7.12902@nlpi066.nbdc.sbc.com...
>> Dave Van wrote:
>>> Hey kids.
>>>
>>> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>>>
>>> Just curious.
>>>
>>> DV
>>
>>
>> Just to expand this a bit:
>>
>> Replace Strats with Strat style guitars with single coil pickups and a 
>> temolo. Replace Gibson with any style dual humbucker hard tail.
> 
> Damn. That means I can't play.
> All my single single coil guitars have a hard tail and all my humbucker 
> guitars have tremelos.
> Well, the ibanez and yamaha actually have both.
> I have a telecaster with 11s. a PRS SE with 10s, an Ibanez with 9s and a 
> yamaha with 8s.
> I think the telecaster may go to 10s though.


That's pretty interesting.  Since you play such a variety of string 
weights, what influences your decision most when choosing a string 
gauge?  You're thinking of changing from 11s to 10s on the Tele; Why?

In article <ENP6k.10577$uE5.1714@flpi144.ffdc.sbc.com>,
 Dave Van  wrote:

> Hey kids.
> 
> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?

Yes and no.

My Strat and Les Paul (Tokai, not Gibson) have 10-gauge, but my 335 has 
11-gauge.


adrian

-- 
http://www.spaghetti-factory.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/adrianclarkmusic

"Dave Van"  wrote in message 
news:cHQ6k.2163$LG4.293@nlpi065.nbdc.sbc.com...
> Woody wrote:
>>
>> "Dave Van"  wrote in message 
>> news:RcQ6k.14938$co7.12902@nlpi066.nbdc.sbc.com...
>>> Dave Van wrote:
>>>> Hey kids.
>>>>
>>>> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>>>>
>>>> Just curious.
>>>>
>>>> DV
>>>
>>>
>>> Just to expand this a bit:
>>>
>>> Replace Strats with Strat style guitars with single coil pickups and a 
>>> temolo. Replace Gibson with any style dual humbucker hard tail.
>>
>> Damn. That means I can't play.
>> All my single single coil guitars have a hard tail and all my humbucker 
>> guitars have tremelos.
>> Well, the ibanez and yamaha actually have both.
>> I have a telecaster with 11s. a PRS SE with 10s, an Ibanez with 9s and a 
>> yamaha with 8s.
>> I think the telecaster may go to 10s though.
>
>
> That's pretty interesting.  Since you play such a variety of string 
> weights, what influences your decision most when choosing a string gauge? 
> You're thinking of changing from 11s to 10s on the Tele; Why?

Because I find them much harder to play than the 10s without any real 
noticable advantages, other than a bit easier with slide, which I do so 
infrequently and am so bad at that it makes no difference.
The yamaha used to have really heavy gauge strings, before it went to the 
8s. It went that way as my wife wanted to use it, but I found it made it a 
much more fun guitar to play, so it stayed that way, even though I had to 
take most of the springs out of its tremelo!.
The ibanez I got recently and it hasn't been setup, so it has what it came 
with (and in fact will probably stay that way, as they suit it). The PRS 
feels right with 10s.

-- 
Woody

> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?

No. I used to, but it it was such a pain swapping them from guitar to 
guitar that I bought a set for each ;-)

But seriously, I use 10-46 on everything. Usually D'addario.

On my basses, I can't remember - Never changed the strings on one of them!

Al.

On Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:33:35 +0100, "George Weston"
 wrote:

>
>"Dave Van"  wrote in message 
>news:ENP6k.10577$uE5.1714@flpi144.ffdc.sbc.com...
>> Hey kids.
>>
>> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>>
>> Just curious.
>>
>> DV
>
>Yes - not that I have a genuine Gibson - 10-46 on everything (including the 
>Tele).
>Very boring, I know but hey...

Same here.

Convenient and, as I've got used to switching between guitars,
obviously not a problem to me.

Steve.

"Dave Van"  wrote in message 
news:cHQ6k.2163$LG4.293@nlpi065.nbdc.sbc.com...
> Woody wrote:
>>
>> "Dave Van"  wrote in message 
>> news:RcQ6k.14938$co7.12902@nlpi066.nbdc.sbc.com...
>>> Dave Van wrote:
>>>> Hey kids.
>>>>
>>>> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>>>>
>>>> Just curious.
>>>>
>>>> DV
>>>
>>>
>>> Just to expand this a bit:
>>>
>>> Replace Strats with Strat style guitars with single coil pickups and a 
>>> temolo. Replace Gibson with any style dual humbucker hard tail.
>>
>> Damn. That means I can't play.
>> All my single single coil guitars have a hard tail and all my humbucker 
>> guitars have tremelos.
>> Well, the ibanez and yamaha actually have both.
>> I have a telecaster with 11s. a PRS SE with 10s, an Ibanez with 9s and a 
>> yamaha with 8s.
>> I think the telecaster may go to 10s though.
>
>
> That's pretty interesting.  Since you play such a variety of string 
> weights, what influences your decision most when choosing a string gauge? 
> You're thinking of changing from 11s to 10s on the Tele; Why?

Not trying to assume this is Woody's reason but in my case its a higher 
guage = slightly higher action+open tuning - SLIDE!!!

-- 
http://www.youtube.com/user/tomscotland

Same gauge and make on my Epi LP as is on my H/S/S Ibanez.
tele has bigger gauge for slide (I'm crap at slide mind you)

Acoustic has different make & slightly bigger gauge.

Bass has something completely different.

-- 
No66y©
Those who find they're touched by madness
                   Sit down next to me.
              Virtual Preserve are here!
www.soundclick.com/bands/virtualpreserve
no66ys den: http://no66y.designxp.co.uk/
Reply to address is a spam trap.
Use no66y [at] breathe [dot] com

Dave Van wrote:
> Hey kids.
> 
> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
> 
> Just curious.
> 
> DV

Bullet ends work better on Strats.

On 20 Jun, 16:11, Dave Van  wrote:
> Hey kids.
>
> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>
> Just curious.
>
> DV

My Les Paul and 2 of the Strats have 9's
The 335 and 1 of the Strats has 10's.
4003S bass has Tomastik flats.

I mainly use d'addarios but I think the 10's are Ernie Ball but that's
not significant. I bought a 25 set box of d'addario 9's (got it at
cost price!!!) and my local shop mainly sells Ernie Ball. I don't
really have a preference for brand. I tried a couple of sets of 'Bad
Boy' (Chinese made ones that I did all the design and artwork for) and
they're surprisingly good!

Having said that, I'm thinking of going to 10's on everything now...
(obviously not the Rick!)

G

Dave Van wrote:

> Hey kids.
> 
> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
> 
> Just curious.

I don't think I necessarily use the same strings on any of my guitars, 
but I have found that 10-46 on a Gibson scale-length won't stay in tune, 
whereas 11-49 will.

10-46 seem OK on a Strat-scale-length (the extra tension keeps them in 
toon better). However, on another Strat (and on a 1960s Burns Marvin), I 
use 12-52. They stay in tune from one year's end to the next.

Zog The Undeniable wrote:
> Dave Van wrote:
>> Hey kids.
>>
>> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>>
>> Just curious.
>>
>> DV
> 
> Bullet ends work better on Strats.


Why?

>> Bullet ends work better on Strats.
> Why?

Because the balls don't get snagged in the block :-)

Tis true as well.

Al.

Al wrote:
>>> Bullet ends work better on Strats.
>> Why?
> 
> Because the balls don't get snagged in the block :-)
> 
> Tis true as well.
> 
> Al.


Ah.  Perhaps true on a Fender made block. My Strat has a solid steel 
block from Harry Callaham. The mass of the block far exceeds even the 
newer so called 'high mass' fender blocks and the seats for the string 
ends are designed to accept all types.

Dave Van wrote:
> Al wrote:
>>>> Bullet ends work better on Strats.
>>> Why?
>>
>> Because the balls don't get snagged in the block :-)
>>
>> Tis true as well.
>>
>> Al.
> 
> 
> Ah.  Perhaps true on a Fender made block. My Strat has a solid steel 
> block from Harry Callaham. The mass of the block far exceeds even the 
> newer so called 'high mass' fender blocks and the seats for the string 
> ends are designed to accept all types.

"Harry" - is that his name?

Did'nt he used to be an inspector in the SFPD?

JNugent wrote:
> Dave Van wrote:
>> Al wrote:
>>>>> Bullet ends work better on Strats.
>>>> Why?
>>>
>>> Because the balls don't get snagged in the block :-)
>>>
>>> Tis true as well.
>>>
>>> Al.
>>
>>
>> Ah.  Perhaps true on a Fender made block. My Strat has a solid steel 
>> block from Harry Callaham. The mass of the block far exceeds even the 
>> newer so called 'high mass' fender blocks and the seats for the string 
>> ends are designed to accept all types.
> 
> "Harry" - is that his name?

No.  It's Bill, actually!

> 
> Did'nt he used to be an inspector in the SFPD?

Yep! Wow.  Funny how the brain works, isn't it?  I transposed a 
fictional character's name onto a real person.

My apologies to Bill.

But as Bill or Harry, his blocks are very, very nicely made... And to 
vintage specs too.

JNugent wrote:
> Dave Van wrote:
>> Al wrote:
>>>>> Bullet ends work better on Strats.
>>>> Why?
>>>
>>> Because the balls don't get snagged in the block :-)
>>>
>>> Tis true as well.
>>>
>>> Al.
>>
>>
>> Ah.  Perhaps true on a Fender made block. My Strat has a solid steel 
>> block from Harry Callaham. The mass of the block far exceeds even the 
>> newer so called 'high mass' fender blocks and the seats for the string 
>> ends are designed to accept all types.
> 
> "Harry" - is that his name?
> 
> Did'nt he used to be an inspector in the SFPD?


I must have seen a Dirty Harry showing on late night TV recently...

"Dave Van"  wrote in message 
news:ENP6k.10577$uE5.1714@flpi144.ffdc.sbc.com...
> Hey kids.
>
> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?

I've standardised on 9s for all my electrics and milk and one big sugar in 
tea and coffee.

icarusi
--

remove 00 to reply

icarusi wrote:
> "Dave Van"  wrote in message 
> news:ENP6k.10577$uE5.1714@flpi144.ffdc.sbc.com...
>> Hey kids.
>>
>> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
> 
> I've standardised on 9s for all my electrics and milk and one big sugar in 
> tea and coffee.
> 
> icarusi
> --
> 
> remove 00 to reply 
> 
> 


Never Tea. Coffee. Black for me. Always.

On Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:11:18 -0500, Dave Van
 wrote:

>Hey kids.
>
>Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>
>Just curious.
>
>DV

I have neither a Strat or a Gibson at the moment so I'm confined to
playing the ones I had handmade for me, one of which has a Strat scale
neck and a pair of humbuckers on it and the other has a Gibson scale
neck with 3 EMG single -pole pickups...go figure...:-)

Anyway, I use the same strings for both - either D'Addario 11-52's or
JHS 11-50's.

I always D'Dario 11's on the Telecaster - the action is quite low so
anything less than 11-52 sounds and feels sloppy - and there's no
point in having a Tele if you're not looking for a fight!

Pete

On 20 Jun 2008 18:53:26 GMT, Al  wrote:

>>> Bullet ends work better on Strats.
>> Why?
>
>Because the balls don't get snagged in the block :-)
>
>Tis true as well.

I've played Strats constantly since about 1970 and I've *never* had a
single problem with the normal ball end strings getting caught in the
block and then becoming uncaught and going out of tune - which is what
the problem is perceived to be.

What's more, I've never known a single person of my acquaintance
suffer from or describe having that problem.

So, my verdict on bullet ends - a solution to a problem that hardly
ever occurs.

Steve.

SteveShark wrote:

> Al  wrote:

>>>> Bullet ends work better on Strats.
>>> Why?

>> Because the balls don't get snagged in the block :-)
>> Tis true as well.

> I've played Strats constantly since about 1970 and I've *never* had a
> single problem with the normal ball end strings getting caught in the
> block and then becoming uncaught and going out of tune - which is what
> the problem is perceived to be.
> What's more, I've never known a single person of my acquaintance
> suffer from or describe having that problem.
> So, my verdict on bullet ends - a solution to a problem that hardly
> ever occurs.

Ditto.

Although the "Point Technologies" trem unit fitted to the Burns Marquee 
and Batwing does suffer from the trem block slots being a bit narrow - 
meaning that you have to push old strings out from the top end of the 
unit, using the 5mm allen key you adjust the action with. :-(

 From memory, I think Fender also sell the "bullet end" on the fact that 
the bullet allegedly sits squarer in the block, which produces a better 
tone. As a theory, for me, it's right up there with brass nuts for 
"better sustain".

If I were a marketing man at Fender, I wouldn't want to remind the 
customer base about "bullets" - thinking back to 1970s Strats ...

On Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:42:26 +0100, JNugent  wrote:


> From memory, I think Fender also sell the "bullet end" on the fact that 
>the bullet allegedly sits squarer in the block, which produces a better 
>tone. As a theory, for me, it's right up there with brass nuts for 
>"better sustain".

Yes, the snugger fit theory.

I've used Bullets in the past - I got some cheaply - and I couldn't
perceive any difference between them and conventional ball ends.

I attributed most of the sustain to the Marshall stack I was going
through at full chat at the time ;)

Steve.

"Dave Van"  wrote in message 
news:ENP6k.10577$uE5.1714@flpi144.ffdc.sbc.com...
> Hey kids.
>
> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>
> Just curious.
>
> DV

No. I have a set of strings for each. ;o)

-- 


Regards
Nick

Mason wrote:
> 
> "Dave Van"  wrote in message 
> news:ENP6k.10577$uE5.1714@flpi144.ffdc.sbc.com...
>> Hey kids.
>>
>> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>>
>> Just curious.
>>
>> DV
> 
> No. I have a set of strings for each. ;o)

:-)

Q: Which strings do you use?

A: All of them.

SteveShark <steveATguitarsDOTpowernetDOTcoDOTuk> wrote:

> On 20 Jun 2008 18:53:26 GMT, Al  wrote:
> 
> >>> Bullet ends work better on Strats.
> >> Why?
> >
> >Because the balls don't get snagged in the block :-)
> >
> >Tis true as well.
> 
> I've played Strats constantly since about 1970 and I've *never* had a
> single problem with the normal ball end strings getting caught in the
> block and then becoming uncaught and going out of tune - which is what
> the problem is perceived to be.

So you never got your balls stuck in the back of a strat in almost 40
years?


-- 
Woody

www.alienrat.com

"Dave Van"  wrote in message 
news:ENP6k.10577$uE5.1714@flpi144.ffdc.sbc.com...
> Hey kids.
>
> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>
> Just curious.
>
> DV

I use 9's on my Strats and Ibanez RG guitars, but 10's on my Gibson and 
Tokai Les Pauls.  I used to use 8's many years ago on my SG.  Usually Ernie 
Ball or d'Addario.  10's on the Gibson scale length seem to hold their 
tuning better than 9's

I haven't done it yet, but as singers sometimes like to drop a semitone, I 
am going to try 10's on my Ibanez RG-550 which tends to be my main guitar as 
the added weight should compensate somewhat for the detuning and the effect 
it has on the Floyd Rose, plus they should give a slightly meatier sound I 
reckon.  10's may not be enough, so I may end up with 11's

On Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:55:20 +0100, "nickm"  wrote:

>
>"Dave Van"  wrote in message 
>news:ENP6k.10577$uE5.1714@flpi144.ffdc.sbc.com...
>> Hey kids.
>>
>> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>>
>> Just curious.
>>
>> DV
>
>I use 9's on my Strats and Ibanez RG guitars, but 10's on my Gibson and 
>Tokai Les Pauls.  I used to use 8's many years ago on my SG.  Usually Ernie 
>Ball or d'Addario.  10's on the Gibson scale length seem to hold their 
>tuning better than 9's
>
>I haven't done it yet, but as singers sometimes like to drop a semitone, I 
>am going to try 10's on my Ibanez RG-550 which tends to be my main guitar as 
>the added weight should compensate somewhat for the detuning and the effect 
>it has on the Floyd Rose, plus they should give a slightly meatier sound I 
>reckon.  10's may not be enough, so I may end up with 11's 

If you want more crunch, go for 11's - or invest £2k in a Boogie Mk
IV!

Pete

On Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:03:14 +0100, anything@contractorcom.com wrote:
>If you want more crunch, go for 11's - or invest £2k in a Boogie Mk
>IV!

Or a packet of Monster Munch.

Cheers,
Steve W

On Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:31:04 +0100, FatBoySlimFast
 wrote:

>On Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:03:14 +0100, anything@contractorcom.com wrote:
>>If you want more crunch, go for 11's - or invest £2k in a Boogie Mk
>>IV!
>
>Or a packet of Monster Munch.

Nah - Tyrrel's Summer Barbecue crisps!

Steve.

> If you want more crunch, go for 11's - or invest £2k in a Boogie Mk
> IV!

Got a Boogie Mk 3 - will that do? :-)

No - crunch isn't the issue.  9's in standard tuning on that guitar are fine
in terms of holding the thing in tune, but even with a set-up for dropped
semi-tone tuning, 9's don't seem to stay in tune as well.  That's with a
Floyd-Rose and locking nut, so that's more my reasoning for trying a heavier
gauge set on there instead

"FatBoySlimFast"  wrote in message 
news:897r545kfika6j8f9m3tt7itvemgh4e5ue@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:03:14 +0100, anything@contractorcom.com wrote:
>>If you want more crunch, go for 11's - or invest £2k in a Boogie Mk
>>IV!
>
> Or a packet of Monster Munch.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve W

Crunchy nut cornflakes?   No thanks - it's just the way I'm sitting.

On Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:11:18 -0500, Dave Van
 wrote:

>Hey kids.
>
>Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>
>Just curious.
>
>DV

Fortunately no - I can afford separate sets.

;->
-- 
http://www.cdbaby.com/sinistrals      http://sinistrals.stevedix.de/  
http://www.stevedix.de/blog           http://www.snorty.net/

On Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:05:04 +0100, usenet@alienrat.co.uk (Woody)
wrote:

>SteveShark <steveATguitarsDOTpowernetDOTcoDOTuk> wrote:
>
>> On 20 Jun 2008 18:53:26 GMT, Al  wrote:
>> 
>> >>> Bullet ends work better on Strats.
>> >> Why?
>> >
>> >Because the balls don't get snagged in the block :-)
>> >
>> >Tis true as well.
>> 
>> I've played Strats constantly since about 1970 and I've *never* had a
>> single problem with the normal ball end strings getting caught in the
>> block and then becoming uncaught and going out of tune - which is what
>> the problem is perceived to be.
>
>So you never got your balls stuck in the back of a strat in almost 40
>years?


No, but I did hear a story about one of the cast of "Hair" getting
certain hairs stuck in the tremelo springs of a strat after leaving
the back panel off.
-- 
http://www.cdbaby.com/sinistrals      http://sinistrals.stevedix.de/  
http://www.stevedix.de/blog           http://www.snorty.net/

Steve Dix  wrote:

> On Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:05:04 +0100, usenet@alienrat.co.uk (Woody)
> wrote:
> 
> >SteveShark <steveATguitarsDOTpowernetDOTcoDOTuk> wrote:
> >
> >> On 20 Jun 2008 18:53:26 GMT, Al  wrote:
> >> 
> >> >>> Bullet ends work better on Strats.
> >> >> Why?
> >> >
> >> >Because the balls don't get snagged in the block :-)
> >> >
> >> >Tis true as well.
> >> 
> >> I've played Strats constantly since about 1970 and I've *never* had a
> >> single problem with the normal ball end strings getting caught in the
> >> block and then becoming uncaught and going out of tune - which is what
> >> the problem is perceived to be.
> >
> >So you never got your balls stuck in the back of a strat in almost 40
> >years?
> 
> 
> No, but I did hear a story about one of the cast of "Hair" getting
> certain hairs stuck in the tremelo springs of a strat after leaving
> the back panel off.

If I was that inappropriately dressed I think I would have put the back
panel on. And covered the string holes with tape!

-- 
Woody

www.alienrat.com

On Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:55:59 +0100, "nickm"  wrote:

>> If you want more crunch, go for 11's - or invest £2k in a Boogie Mk
>> IV!
>
>Got a Boogie Mk 3 - will that do? :-)
>
>No - crunch isn't the issue.  9's in standard tuning on that guitar are fine
>in terms of holding the thing in tune, but even with a set-up for dropped
>semi-tone tuning, 9's don't seem to stay in tune as well.  That's with a
>Floyd-Rose and locking nut, so that's more my reasoning for trying a heavier
>gauge set on there instead

You're right to think about heavier strings - whatever your set up
they hold their tuning better than lights. Floyd Rose trems are
notoriously flaky at the best of times, also.

I use Wilkinson trems on my guitars, and schaller locking tuners -
never used a locking nut. I'm not a rabid dive-bomber however but I
rarely get tuning problems with the 11's I use, although I have had
trouble in the past with some sets, so for the electrics I tend to
stick to D'darios (or however they are spelled..) - they seem to be
just that bit more sturdy than other brands.

Pete (Horses for courses, of course).

11-52 on all the electrics.  I just find that they sound better than
the thinner strings.  This may also be down to the fact that I don't
use any pedals and I finger-pick.

"netdog"  wrote in message 
news:d9fe7c93-e8b0-4084-8d60-2be12883c4df@e39g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> 11-52 on all the electrics.  I just find that they sound better than
> the thinner strings.  This may also be down to the fact that I don't
> use any pedals and I finger-pick.
>

Getting a good sound without (or before) pedals... [applause].

That's the tough one :-0

RM

> You're right to think about heavier strings - whatever your set up
> they hold their tuning better than lights. Floyd Rose trems are
> notoriously flaky at the best of times, also.
>
> I use Wilkinson trems on my guitars, and schaller locking tuners -
> never used a locking nut. I'm not a rabid dive-bomber however but I
> rarely get tuning problems with the 11's I use, although I have had
> trouble in the past with some sets, so for the electrics I tend to
> stick to D'darios (or however they are spelled..) - they seem to be
> just that bit more sturdy than other brands.
>

I have two Ibanez RG series guitars both with Floyd Rose trems.  Properly 
set up these trems have never given me problems except when detuning the 
guitar by a semitone step.  Even when adjusting the bridge tension for the 
lower tension strings everything gets just a bit too loose.  The locking nut 
is great as although I'm also not a rabid dive-bomber there are occasions on 
some songs where it is required to let the strings go stupidly so slack they 
flap around in the breeze :-) and the guitars always return to thye correct 
pitch.  We have a new singer in our band who would probably appreciate a bit 
of assistance so I can see that it will be inevitable that detuning by a 
semitone will once again be necessary.  On a standard fixed bridge Les Paul 
it's OK but a real PITA on a proper floating bridge assembly.

I have one guitar that uses a Wlikinson trem/Sperzel locking machines - 
Patrick Eggle Berlin Pro from about 1993.  This is a great guitar but not 
overly great in terms of tuning stability with the trem.  I think I'll try a 
set of 11's which for me will be like playing bits of steel hawser as used 
to secure liners at the quayside at first I expect.  The extra tension 
should minimise any binding at the nut particularly with a bit of Nut Sauce 
or equivalent concoction.

On Mon, 23 Jun 2008 02:27:41 +0100, anything@contractorcom.com wrote:

>On Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:55:59 +0100, "nickm"  wrote:
>
>>> If you want more crunch, go for 11's - or invest £2k in a Boogie Mk
>>> IV!
>>
>>Got a Boogie Mk 3 - will that do? :-)
>>
>>No - crunch isn't the issue.  9's in standard tuning on that guitar are fine
>>in terms of holding the thing in tune, but even with a set-up for dropped
>>semi-tone tuning, 9's don't seem to stay in tune as well.  That's with a
>>Floyd-Rose and locking nut, so that's more my reasoning for trying a heavier
>>gauge set on there instead
>
>You're right to think about heavier strings - whatever your set up
>they hold their tuning better than lights. 

I disagree. I don't have any tuning issues with any guitar I use. 

I put them on properly and stretch them over the points of contact and
then pull each string invidually, always going back to pitch between
stretches.

I can then put the guitar in the case and get it out at a gig the next
day and it's perfectly stable tuning wise.

What's more of an issue to me is playability v tone.

I use 10s on electrics because they'#re fine to bend and also they
sound nice and full. 9s just sound weedy to me and 11s just make life
a little too hard although I love the tone.

Steve.

>>Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
 
> Fortunately no - I can afford separate sets.

good one!  :-)

-- 
Tim C.

wrote in message 
news:eiut54l9g7h4mg479m6ed1r642cd1m29eh@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:55:59 +0100, "nickm"  wrote:
>
>>> If you want more crunch, go for 11's - or invest £2k in a Boogie Mk
>>> IV!
>>
>>Got a Boogie Mk 3 - will that do? :-)
>>
>>No - crunch isn't the issue.  9's in standard tuning on that guitar are 
>>fine
>>in terms of holding the thing in tune, but even with a set-up for dropped
>>semi-tone tuning, 9's don't seem to stay in tune as well.  That's with a
>>Floyd-Rose and locking nut, so that's more my reasoning for trying a 
>>heavier
>>gauge set on there instead
>
> You're right to think about heavier strings - whatever your set up
> they hold their tuning better than lights. Floyd Rose trems are
> notoriously flaky at the best of times, also.
>
> I use Wilkinson trems on my guitars, and schaller locking tuners -
> never used a locking nut. I'm not a rabid dive-bomber however but I
> rarely get tuning problems with the 11's I use, although I have had
> trouble in the past with some sets, so for the electrics I tend to
> stick to D'darios (or however they are spelled..) - they seem to be
> just that bit more sturdy than other brands.

Agreed about D'Addarios.
They don't corrode in the pack before you use them - unlike some other 
brands, as each string is sealed in a corrosion-intercept bag.
I used to use Fender strings but found that they corrode easily, not being 
sealed.

George

I tend to
>> stick to D'darios (or however they are spelled..) - they seem to be
>> just that bit more sturdy than other brands.
>
> Agreed about D'Addarios.
> They don't corrode in the pack before you use them - unlike some other 
> brands, as each string is sealed in a corrosion-intercept bag.

Yes.  They are good and they seem to last longer now you mention it.  It 
depends what my local music emporium has in stock as to whether I use 
d'Addario or Ernie Ball

>>
>>You're right to think about heavier strings - whatever your set up
>>they hold their tuning better than lights.
>
> I disagree. I don't have any tuning issues with any guitar I use.
>
> I put them on properly and stretch them over the points of contact and
> then pull each string invidually, always going back to pitch between
> stretches.
>
> I can then put the guitar in the case and get it out at a gig the next
> day and it's perfectly stable tuning wise.
>
> What's more of an issue to me is playability v tone.
>
> I use 10s on electrics because they'#re fine to bend and also they
> sound nice and full. 9s just sound weedy to me and 11s just make life
> a little too hard although I love the tone.

Yes, that's how I put my strings on too, but the guitar's tuning is 
definitely less stable when dropped a semi-tone even with a set-up to 
accommodate it.  That's with 9's.  In standard concert pitch I can leave the 
guitar for weeks and dive as much as I like and it stays in tune.  11's with 
the half step drop probably won't feel much different to 10's in standard 
tuning.  I use 10's on a Les Paul, but not on pointy headstock or Strat 
guitars :-)  To me,  when tuned to concert, Strat's and the like work best 
with 9's and Gibsons work best with 10's.  It's all a matter of personal 
taste at the end of the day.

wrote in message 
news:eiut54l9g7h4mg479m6ed1r642cd1m29eh@4ax.com...
>
> Floyd Rose trems are
> notoriously flaky at the best of times, also.

a badly set up one, yes...

otherwise it's *very* stable.

Jose

-- 
Musha ring dum a doo dum a dah - www.mcnach.com
Current fave guitar: Fender 'Sambora' Stratocaster
Current fave bass: Warwick Corvette $$

Fender Stratocaster - part coffee table, part spaceship.

On 20 Jun, 16:40, Dave Van  wrote:
> Dave Van wrote:
> > Hey kids.
>
> > Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>
> > Just curious.
>
> > DV
>
> Just to expand this a bit:
>
> Replace Strats with Strat style guitars with single coil pickups and a
> temolo. Replace Gibson with any style dual humbucker hard tail.
>
> DV

Oi! 2001 Called and asked for their thread back - the likes of this
discussion not seen round these parts for quite some time!

Fast forward past the "I use the same gauge on all my guitars" through
the inevitable " 11's are lights " to an old favourite "I never change
strings".

Entertaining as these undoubtedly are it all boils down to physics.

No getting away from it, scale length and mass are king. The
dimension, composition of the core and overwrap all play their part.

A rudimentary application here http://www.pacificsites.net/~dog/StringTensionApplet.html
underpinned by some data for differing string types might be
interesting for those that haven't seen it before.

"adrianfoden"  wrote in message 
news:ad9ea780-9da5-4a45-9754-bf7a9c75e598@2g2000hsn.googlegroups.com...
>
> No getting away from it, scale length and mass are king. The
> dimension, composition of the core and overwrap all play their part.
>
> A rudimentary application here 
> http://www.pacificsites.net/~dog/StringTensionApplet.html
> underpinned by some data for differing string types might be
> interesting for those that haven't seen it before.
>

Might I suggest that the frets have an influence on the 'right' choice of 
string gauge?  Heavier gauges undoubtedly aid tone (mass - see above) but 
playability is another important thing entirely - e.g. the lower the fret 
profile, the harder it is to get behind it for an easy bend, etc...

IMHO, of course.

RM

"adrianfoden"  wrote in message 
news:ad9ea780-9da5-4a45-9754-bf7a9c75e598@2g2000hsn.googlegroups.com...
>
> Oi! 2001 Called and asked for their thread back - the likes of this
> discussion not seen round these parts for quite some time!

...and what do we all think of the new ball-end colours of D'Addario 
strings?

I used to like the old style green ones best, but the new red colour is very 
fetching.

Steve.

"Steve Robinson"  wrote in message 
news:UDT7k.84542$P83.67335@newsfe20.ams2...
> "adrianfoden"  wrote in message 
> news:ad9ea780-9da5-4a45-9754-bf7a9c75e598@2g2000hsn.googlegroups.com...
>>
>> Oi! 2001 Called and asked for their thread back - the likes of this
>> discussion not seen round these parts for quite some time!
>
> ...and what do we all think of the new ball-end colours of D'Addario 
> strings?
>
> I used to like the old style green ones best, but the new red colour is 
> very fetching.

We'll be on to Smarties next....

;-)

George

On Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:47:04 +0100, "Steve Robinson"
 wrote:

>"adrianfoden"  wrote in message 
>news:ad9ea780-9da5-4a45-9754-bf7a9c75e598@2g2000hsn.googlegroups.com...
>>
>> Oi! 2001 Called and asked for their thread back - the likes of this
>> discussion not seen round these parts for quite some time!
>
>...and what do we all think of the new ball-end colours of D'Addario 
>strings?
>
>I used to like the old style green ones best, but the new red colour is very 
>fetching.
>
>Steve.
>
>

The one thing that irritates me about D'Addario is the packaging -
they claim to be greener using one plastic 9non-biodgradable bag
instead of 6 paper ones. The other thing is they all come in the same
bag, so once one string is out, they're all out.

Pete

wrote in message 
news:7h4064laqu5r0et0es84o7163fl490uvtv@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:47:04 +0100, "Steve Robinson"
>  wrote:
>
>>"adrianfoden"  wrote in message
>>news:ad9ea780-9da5-4a45-9754-bf7a9c75e598@2g2000hsn.googlegroups.com...
>>>
>>> Oi! 2001 Called and asked for their thread back - the likes of this
>>> discussion not seen round these parts for quite some time!
>>
>>...and what do we all think of the new ball-end colours of D'Addario
>>strings?
>>
>>I used to like the old style green ones best, but the new red colour is 
>>very
>>fetching.
>>
>>Steve.
>>
>>
>
> The one thing that irritates me about D'Addario is the packaging -
> they claim to be greener using one plastic 9non-biodgradable bag
> instead of 6 paper ones. The other thing is they all come in the same
> bag, so once one string is out, they're all out.

You don't change 'em one at a time, do you?
And I thought I was a cheapskate....
;-)

George

wrote in message 
news:7h4064laqu5r0et0es84o7163fl490uvtv@4ax.com...
>
> The one thing that irritates me about D'Addario is the packaging -
> they claim to be greener

That's the G strings. The B strings are purpler.

"Dave Van"  wrote in message 
news:ENP6k.10577$uE5.1714@flpi144.ffdc.sbc.com...
> Hey kids.
>
> Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>
> Just curious.

10s on my Tokai strat and Ibanez SZ520, 11s on the Gordon Smith Gypsy II. On 
the GS the 11s feel a tiny bit too stiff but I manage.

On the Tanglewood acoustic, 12s I think...

Cheers,
       Kari

George Weston wrote:

[ ... ]

> Agreed about D'Addarios.
> They don't corrode in the pack before you use them - unlike some other 
> brands, as each string is sealed in a corrosion-intercept bag.
> I used to use Fender strings but found that they corrode easily, not being 
> sealed.

I only ever tested that theory to destruction the once (and 
inadvertently at that). I won a set of 12-52 Fender flatwounds at a shop 
clinic in 1982. Yes - nineteen-eighty-two.

Let me digress a little - this was at a new shop (since disappeared) in 
St Martin's Lane, WC2. Dallas-Arbiter were doing a Fender showcase, this 
being at the time of the Squier and Fender Vintage Reissue ranges and 
the Rivera-designed amps (the Champ II, etc).

IIRC, the main clinician was Colin Pincott, who asked a few questions of 
the audience for small prizes. I answered a question "Freddy Tavares" 
and won the flatwounds. CP was apologetic about that, but I was happy to 
have them - I thought I'd use them some time. The thing was, I didn't 
have a guitar which really required them, and that gap was not filled 
until 1996, when I bought an Epi Emperor Regent. I had Sid Poole (RIP) 
widen the nut-slots, etc, and fit the Fender strings. Though I 
half-expected it, ere was no trace of corrosion from the 14 years in 
storage, and the tone was as good as one demand from a set of flats.

On Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:59:32 +0100, JNugent wrote
(in article ):

>[.
> IIRC, the main clinician was Colin Pincott, 

Where did he go? Google says little.
 He had a lovely touch.


Adrian

-- 
www.adrianlegg.com

Adrian Legg wrote:

> JNugent wrote

>> IIRC, the main clinician was Colin Pincott, 

> Where did he go? Google says little.
>  He had a lovely touch.

Hi, Adrian,

For some time, I assumed that Colin was something to do with the 
Pincott's guitar supplies business (which later became Allparts), but I 
was advised that this was not so.

That's some coincidence on that surname ...

"adrianfoden"  wrote in message 
news:ad9ea780-9da5-4a45-9754-bf7a9c75e598@2g2000hsn.googlegroups.com...
> On 20 Jun, 16:40, Dave Van  wrote:
>> Dave Van wrote:
>> > Hey kids.
>>
>> > Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>>
>> > Just curious.
>>
>> > DV
>>
>> Just to expand this a bit:
>>
>> Replace Strats with Strat style guitars with single coil pickups and a
>> temolo. Replace Gibson with any style dual humbucker hard tail.
>>
>> DV
>
> Oi! 2001 Called and asked for their thread back - the likes of this
> discussion not seen round these parts for quite some time!
>
> Fast forward past the "I use the same gauge on all my guitars" through
> the inevitable " 11's are lights " to an old favourite "I never change
> strings".
>
> Entertaining as these undoubtedly are it all boils down to physics.
>

..and this is another familiar response: the science gambit, where 
increasingly convoluted models of string behaviour are presented.  Fans of 
this move will spend hours proving that the ideal string is 3 inches thick 
and made of wood, because buying a few sets and choosing the one that 
'feels' right is too artsy ;-)

"Grant"  wrote in message 
news:_G19k.16613$E41.1390@text.news.virginmedia.com...
>
> "adrianfoden"  wrote in message 
> news:ad9ea780-9da5-4a45-9754-bf7a9c75e598@2g2000hsn.googlegroups.com...
>> On 20 Jun, 16:40, Dave Van  wrote:
>>> Dave Van wrote:
>>> > Hey kids.
>>>
>>> > Do you play the same strings on your Strats as you do on your Gibsons?
>>>
>>> > Just curious.
>>>
>>> > DV
>>>
>>> Just to expand this a bit:
>>>
>>> Replace Strats with Strat style guitars with single coil pickups and a
>>> temolo. Replace Gibson with any style dual humbucker hard tail.
>>>
>>> DV
>>
>> Oi! 2001 Called and asked for their thread back - the likes of this
>> discussion not seen round these parts for quite some time!
>>
>> Fast forward past the "I use the same gauge on all my guitars" through
>> the inevitable " 11's are lights " to an old favourite "I never change
>> strings".
>>
>> Entertaining as these undoubtedly are it all boils down to physics.
>>
>
> ..and this is another familiar response: the science gambit, where 
> increasingly convoluted models of string behaviour are presented.  Fans of 
> this move will spend hours proving that the ideal string is 3 inches thick 
> and made of wood, because buying a few sets and choosing the one that 
> 'feels' right is too artsy ;-)

Bring back Stewart Ward, I say....
;-)

George

On Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:15:21 -0700 (PDT), adrianfoden
 wrote:


>
>Entertaining as these undoubtedly are it all boils down to physics.
>
Only if you can't afford new strings.
-- 
http://www.cdbaby.com/sinistrals      http://sinistrals.stevedix.de/  
http://www.stevedix.de/blog           http://www.snorty.net/