Strings question [help!]

[grock]

changing string guages is a bit more complex than simply changing string guages. heavier strings will be sharper when fretted because when you push down it tightens the string and can throw off your entire intonation. lighter strings can do the same because you can push them around and accidently bend them up. also there will almost certainly need to be a truss rod adjustment. i have a seperate saddle for light strings than medium strings just because of the intonation. some people can live with it but if you don't set up your guitar for the new guage it will probably be out of tune.

when i switched to mediums (i'll never go back again but i keep the extra saddle just in case) my intonation was off like 20 cents at 12th fret. needless to say it sounded just fine with open chords but playing up on the neck was poopy.

for like 20 bucks it is worth it to have the guitar set up at a local shop.

[fatjack]

changing string guages is a bit more complex than simply changing string guages. heavier strings will be sharper when fretted because when you push down it tightens the string and can throw off your entire intonation. lighter strings can do the same because you can push them around and accidently bend them up. also there will almost certainly need to be a truss rod adjustment. i have a seperate saddle for light strings than medium strings just because of the intonation. some people can live with it but if you don't set up your guitar for the new guage it will probably be out of tune.

when i switched to mediums (i'll never go back again but i keep the extra saddle just in case) my intonation was off like 20 cents at 12th fret. needless to say it sounded just fine with open chords but playing up on the neck was poopy.

for like 20 bucks it is worth it to have the guitar set up at a local shop.

this is true for crappy guitars....

[Brock]

i personally like the lighter ones. 12's. and i usually use martin phosphour bronze, but i may have to try out these d'addario's. the only thing i have to say is be careful just changing the gauge of your strings. you're going to want a little bit of adjustment if you're going to switch gauges.

If you can live with uncoated strings (i think the sound is just so much better, and longevity isn't too much of a factor for me), then try the EJ16's. Amazing strings. Fucking cheap too.

[DT]

the d'addario exps arent nearly as slick as elixirs, thats why i liked them.... the closest thing i can compare them to is the feel of about month-old elixirs, but the sound of new phosphor bronzes, maybe?

[gravedigger]

If you can live with uncoated strings (i think the sound is just so much better, and longevity isn't too much of a factor for me), then try the EJ16's. Amazing strings. Fucking cheap too.

yeah I agree. I just love the sound of them. even when that new-string brightness wears off, they have a great tone that lasts a long time for an uncoated string.

are the 16's the lights? and the 17s the mediums? I like the mediums better on my guitar but that's just me.

[Wesdutchmaster]

the d'addario exps arent nearly as slick as elixirs, thats why i liked them.... the closest thing i can compare them to is the feel of about month-old elixirs, but the sound of new phosphor bronzes, maybe?

month old elixirs are finished for me. After a monthI have to replace them.

[Appfro]

If you can live with uncoated strings (i think the sound is just so much better, and longevity isn't too much of a factor for me), then try the EJ16's. Amazing strings. Fucking cheap too.

yeah I agree. I just love the sound of them. even when that new-string brightness wears off, they have a great tone that lasts a long time for an uncoated string.

are the 16's the lights? and the 17s the mediums? I like the mediums better on my guitar but that's just me.

i only use uncoated strings anyway. i hate coated.

[DT]

the d'addario exps arent nearly as slick as elixirs, thats why i liked them.... the closest thing i can compare them to is the feel of about month-old elixirs, but the sound of new phosphor bronzes, maybe?

month old elixirs are finished for me. After a monthI have to replace them.

i meant in the feel, not the sound... i dont know if thats why you change them, but thats about when elixirs feel right to me, not too slick, but no squeaks either.. most strings dont sound too great after a month anyways, but if i can get new sound with that semi-slick feel, ill go for it- elixirs are just waaaaay too slick for me though

[fatjack]

the d'addario exps arent nearly as slick as elixirs, thats why i liked them.... the closest thing i can compare them to is the feel of about month-old elixirs, but the sound of new phosphor bronzes, maybe?

month old elixirs are finished for me. After a monthI have to replace them.

i meant in the feel, not the sound... i dont know if thats why you change them, but thats about when elixirs feel right to me, not too slick, but no squeaks either.. most strings dont sound too great after a month anyways, but if i can get new sound with that semi-slick feel, ill go for it- elixirs are just waaaaay too slick for me though

try nanoweb

[Ranting Thespian]

D'addario, I will never get why people like them. I will always go back to my full, long lasting, and very fine playing of Dean Markley.

[DT]

i just tried nanowebs on my friend's guitar, that i play often, and hated them. They feel a little bit better than poly's but still waaaay slicker than the d'addario exp's... ive used uncoated d'addarios before and didnt think they were much different from any other cheap string... dont know what kind though

[grock]

this is true for crappy guitars....

i guess taylors, martins, gibsons, and well all guitars are crappy. huh?

just kidding, but i do do a lot of setups for myself and friends (upwards of 40-50 a semester) and you'd really be surprised how bad someone's intonation and bow to the neck can be even on 2000+ dollar guitars.

i like the slickness and if you have good callouses and finger stregth it really becomes a non issue. the biggest deciding factor is that uncoated strings and even EXP's are so noisy with the finger squeaks. i think there is technique to playing to minimize the squeaks but elixirs seem to eliminate them altogether.

but i think most people will agree that i am a bit too much of a perfectionist and a gearhead when it comes to guitars...

[Wesdutchmaster]

changing string guages is a bit more complex than simply changing string guages. heavier strings will be sharper when fretted because when you push down it tightens the string and can throw off your entire intonation. lighter strings can do the same because you can push them around and accidently bend them up. also there will almost certainly need to be a truss rod adjustment. i have a seperate saddle for light strings than medium strings just because of the intonation. some people can live with it but if you don't set up your guitar for the new guage it will probably be out of tune.

when i switched to mediums (i'll never go back again but i keep the extra saddle just in case) my intonation was off like 20 cents at 12th fret. needless to say it sounded just fine with open chords but playing up on the neck was poopy.

is the gauge the little plastic thing at the end of the opposite end o the neck that holds the strings up a little before going into the guitar? COz if so I would understand. I feel like my muting has to change a little now that I have slightly heavier strings on my guitar. One string always keeps ringing whereas before it was always muted when I played my style.

Grock do you perhaps know what kind of strings Mayer, mraz and Howie use on their accoustics?

[grock]

no i have no idea what these guys use on their guitars. i only know what i use and a few friends around chicago and purdue.

guage is simply the thickness of the string. what you are talking about is the saddle. the strings go over the saddle and the saddle transfers vibration to the bridge and top of the guitar.

[Brock]

are the 16's the lights? and the 17s the mediums? I like the mediums better on my guitar but that's just me.

15 - extra lights
16 - lights
17 - mediums
26 - custom lights

D'addario, I will never get why people like them.

Because they're great . Never played Dean Markley acoustic strings though, so I can't compare.