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Got a new guitar recently. Question on strings size and coated/not coated
Posted on 4/20/20 at 1:41 pm
Posted on 4/20/20 at 1:41 pm
I started trying to learn again early this year. I had a cheap Squier guitar and it is OK but didn't love it. I looked on Reverb for quite a while and kept talking myself out of it. When I saw this one I had to have it...
2000 Epiphone (Korean made) with some Seymour Duncan Slash pickups. It sounds and plays so much better than my cheap one and it makes it a lot easier to want to practice each day. The biggest difference has been lower action so it doesn't hurt as much to play.
The strings are lighter guage on this one and I am going to stick with lighter strings also. I've heard lots of opinions on not going too far down but am leaning towards 8's or 9's.
Also, coated or not coated? I know there is a benefit to the strings lasting a little longer but figured I would ask for some input on what strings you use and why...
2000 Epiphone (Korean made) with some Seymour Duncan Slash pickups. It sounds and plays so much better than my cheap one and it makes it a lot easier to want to practice each day. The biggest difference has been lower action so it doesn't hurt as much to play.
The strings are lighter guage on this one and I am going to stick with lighter strings also. I've heard lots of opinions on not going too far down but am leaning towards 8's or 9's.
Also, coated or not coated? I know there is a benefit to the strings lasting a little longer but figured I would ask for some input on what strings you use and why...
Posted on 4/20/20 at 2:11 pm to cdew
I use 10’s on my LP, but I’ve used 9’s in the past. 10’s are my favorite for rhythm guitar stuff. They’re the right balance of easy to fret and full sound. Lighter gage strings feel easier to play and have a brighter sound. If I were doing more lead work, I’d probably go back to 9’s.
Posted on 4/20/20 at 5:25 pm to cdew
quote:
coated or not coated
Is this a newer innovation? Like in the last 20 years? Not an option I've ever actually considered although I've been playing the same strings (GHS Boomers) for a long time without much thought of changing. As to gauge since you are relearning I'd suggest 9s. You will get used to them if you keep the practice up.
Posted on 4/20/20 at 5:56 pm to cdew
Go as light as possible. I think it was BB King who said, “why you want to work so hard?”
This post was edited on 4/20/20 at 6:53 pm
Posted on 4/20/20 at 6:19 pm to Robin Masters
Yeah, if you're playing an amplified guitar, you're doing 90% of the work with the amplifier and pickups.
Unless you're going for a very specific sound and are willing to do the work to bend heavier strings, 8s and 9s are plenty for even a significantly distorted sound.
Unless you're going for a very specific sound and are willing to do the work to bend heavier strings, 8s and 9s are plenty for even a significantly distorted sound.
This post was edited on 4/20/20 at 8:02 pm
Posted on 4/20/20 at 6:29 pm to Ace Midnight
11s on my tele, 8 or 9s on my strat
This post was edited on 4/20/20 at 6:40 pm
Posted on 4/20/20 at 9:12 pm to cdew
coated for acoustic, non-coated for electric.
since you are just getting back to playing, use lighter strings for now.
If that Squier is a telecaster, it only takes a little bit of work to make that a decent guitar.
adjust the action and upgrade the electronics.
since you are just getting back to playing, use lighter strings for now.
If that Squier is a telecaster, it only takes a little bit of work to make that a decent guitar.
adjust the action and upgrade the electronics.
This post was edited on 4/21/20 at 10:00 am
Posted on 4/20/20 at 9:23 pm to cdew
You might find this video on string gauge interesting and informative. Rick Beato
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:38 pm to cdew
Usually stay out of electric guitar threads.
However
I've always heard it's up to the guitar and you have to listen to it (for what's best). With acoustics it can make all the difference in the world. Making you go from not wanting to pick it up, to not wanting to set it down. I'd say try different one's for size and different brands next, followed by maybe even metal mixes. It's one of the cheapest things you'll buy to find your sound... next to what pick to use.
However
I've always heard it's up to the guitar and you have to listen to it (for what's best). With acoustics it can make all the difference in the world. Making you go from not wanting to pick it up, to not wanting to set it down. I'd say try different one's for size and different brands next, followed by maybe even metal mixes. It's one of the cheapest things you'll buy to find your sound... next to what pick to use.
Posted on 4/21/20 at 8:14 am to cdew
I have 9's on my 24-inch scale electric, and 13 on my baritones. The 13's are cool as hell, but you need the extended scale guitar to really maximize them. Regardless, get the 8's or the 9's.
Posted on 4/21/20 at 8:47 am to cdew
Elixir nano/poly-web extra lights. Fast fret. Melt faces.
Posted on 4/21/20 at 8:58 am to AmosMosesAndTwins
Coated string and gauge recommendation for a 24.75 scale set-neck with A2 humbuckers?
D'Addario XT series, 10-46. That's what's on my old LP.
D'Addario XT series, 10-46. That's what's on my old LP.
Posted on 4/21/20 at 1:01 pm to cdew
Recently I've played 11s on 7 strings (and a .68) I usually use EMG 81/85. I change strings every few days so coated or non coated doesnt really matter to me..and never has tbh. But..others may disagree
(Sometimes I'm using .012, .016, .020, .034, .046, .060, .074)
If you plan on recording, change your strings often. That cant be stressed enough.
(Sometimes I'm using .012, .016, .020, .034, .046, .060, .074)
If you plan on recording, change your strings often. That cant be stressed enough.
This post was edited on 4/21/20 at 1:22 pm
Posted on 4/23/20 at 6:42 pm to auggie
Thanks for the input
It is the squier strat. I replaced the nut and string trees. I need to lower the action some and replace pickups and electronics. I keep battling with how much money is it worth putting in before I just get a better guitar. It does sound pretty good and right now the hands playing it are still the weak link.
It is the squier strat. I replaced the nut and string trees. I need to lower the action some and replace pickups and electronics. I keep battling with how much money is it worth putting in before I just get a better guitar. It does sound pretty good and right now the hands playing it are still the weak link.
Posted on 4/23/20 at 6:46 pm to SEClint
Thanks for the input. I don’t want to record what I sound like now. Gonna be a while before any of it should be memorialized.
Posted on 4/23/20 at 7:12 pm to cdew
If it is a Squier Strat made in Indonesia, some of those are pretty good, and worth doing some work on.
Posted on 4/23/20 at 7:40 pm to Philzilla2k
quote:
11s on my tele, 8 or 9s on my strat
Why is that?
Posted on 4/23/20 at 9:40 pm to FightinTigersDammit
quote:
Why is that?
Tele Deluxe for a fatter more LP like sound.
Strat sounds smooth with the 8s or 9s.
Its totally subjective, its just the sounds I want out of each. Basically, what awestruck wrote, the guitars sound better with those gages.
Posted on 4/24/20 at 11:38 am to Philzilla2k
quote:
Tele Deluxe for a fatter more LP like sound.
Strat sounds smooth with the 8s or 9s.
Humbuckers vs. single coils. I got it.
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