Guitar strings...

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pearldrummerms
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Guitar strings...

Unread post by pearldrummerms » Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:57 pm

How much do strings actually matter? Is it easier or harder playing a certain string such as light strings as opposed to medium strings? Do they differ in sound much? What are the real differences?

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Machtimus
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Unread post by Machtimus » Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:04 pm

Strings matter a lot, but it's not truly essential inside of the guitar playing hobbyist. Strings can help you find a better comfort zone in playing your guitar. They don't necessarily add too much to a sound that you're looking for but they can help.

It is a preference on different strings on the matter of it being easier to play. Generally lighter strings will be a lot easier to play because they are just esaier to apply pressure on and they feel a lot looser. A lot easier to bend with as well. It is generally accepted that the sounds are much better out of heavier strings. I use medium strings.

The majority of the sound quality will come out of the actual guitar and not the guitar strings. Guitar strings will mainly differentiate in sound to ensuniate a certain tone of a guitar, but not in such a strictly fashion. It's not like this string will really bring out your taylor's more while this one will bring out your martin out more et cetera.

String brand differences is all in preference. This is something you must find out on your own. A lot of people here live by elixirs and I swear by blue steel. You need to figure out what kind of strings you like, however, I recommend starting off on elixirs.

pearldrummerms
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Unread post by pearldrummerms » Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:13 pm

That was really helpful, thanks a lot.

checkii
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Unread post by checkii » Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:20 pm

not sure what kind of guitar you have, but the Elixer Nanoweb Medium/Light customs are great strings. I love em.

never get polywebs.

if you want a brighter tone try the same strings but the Phospher bronze, they really sound nice.

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DrumsFoDaSoul
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Unread post by DrumsFoDaSoul » Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:21 pm

Machtimus wrote:Strings matter a lot, but it's not truly essential inside of the guitar playing hobbyist. Strings can help you find a better comfort zone in playing your guitar. They don't necessarily add too much to a sound that you're looking for but they can help.

It is a preference on different strings on the matter of it being easier to play. Generally lighter strings will be a lot easier to play because they are just esaier to apply pressure on and they feel a lot looser. A lot easier to bend with as well. It is generally accepted that the sounds are much better out of heavier strings. I use medium strings.

The majority of the sound quality will come out of the actual guitar and not the guitar strings. Guitar strings will mainly differentiate in sound to ensuniate a certain tone of a guitar, but not in such a strictly fashion. It's not like this string will really bring out your taylor's more while this one will bring out your martin out more et cetera.

String brand differences is all in preference. This is something you must find out on your own. A lot of people here live by elixirs and I swear by blue steel. You need to figure out what kind of strings you like, however, I recommend starting off on elixirs.

Blue Steel? They dont have that coating like elixirs do, do they? I dont like Elixirs cause of that, but you can get them without the slick coating. I might check them out cause Im due for another string change.
Blam BlamKa Plooey.

Hydro120
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Unread post by Hydro120 » Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:50 pm

checkii wrote:not sure what kind of guitar you have, but the Elixer Nanoweb Medium/Light customs are great strings. I love em.

never get polywebs.

if you want a brighter tone try the same strings but the Phospher bronze, they really sound nice.
QFA. I just recently picked up the Elixir Phospher Bronze strings - lights - and I love them.

pearldrummerms
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Unread post by pearldrummerms » Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:52 pm

were you always playing with lights or did you make a move from mediums?

Hydro120
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Unread post by Hydro120 » Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:08 pm

pearldrummerms wrote:were you always playing with lights or did you make a move from mediums?
I think I played on mediums (13's) once, and they were too stiff. Light Elixirs are stiff enough that they don't feel like you just don't have the strings tightened enough, but loose enough that I can play for a long time without getting sore hands, and I can bend the strings easy enough.

checkii
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Unread post by checkii » Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:34 pm

Hydro120 wrote:
pearldrummerms wrote:were you always playing with lights or did you make a move from mediums?
I think I played on mediums (13's) once, and they were too stiff. Light Elixirs are stiff enough that they don't feel like you just don't have the strings tightened enough, but loose enough that I can play for a long time without getting sore hands, and I can bend the strings easy enough.
thats why i love the light mediums. the E,A, and D give that fuller sound you wont get with lights, but you maintain that soft finger playability of the G,B, and e.

really perfect, and i gotta thank jayme for telling me to get those, i have never tried another string since.

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Machtimus
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Unread post by Machtimus » Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:16 pm

checkii wrote:
Hydro120 wrote:
pearldrummerms wrote:were you always playing with lights or did you make a move from mediums?
I think I played on mediums (13's) once, and they were too stiff. Light Elixirs are stiff enough that they don't feel like you just don't have the strings tightened enough, but loose enough that I can play for a long time without getting sore hands, and I can bend the strings easy enough.
thats why i love the light mediums. the E,A, and D give that fuller sound you wont get with lights, but you maintain that soft finger playability of the G,B, and e.

really perfect, and i gotta thank jayme for telling me to get those, i have never tried another string since.
Started off on mediums and got a lot of blisters. Never went lighter :P

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Andre_GT7
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Unread post by Andre_GT7 » Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:20 pm

i always get my strings from here. good sound, very cheap/

http://www.webstrings.com

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