|
mark indigo -> RE: Strings (Jul. 27 2023 15:54:23)
|
quote:
That procedure extends the life to the same degree that simply taking them off and flipping them or off setting them (so the wear points above the frets are relocated), and of course it cleans the salt and oil off them. I tried it because I read Mclaughlin did it. But I realized simply taking them off and putting them back on (plus wiping them down after the gig) achieves the same goal.
Many years ago I read an interview with Paco Peña in which he detailed loosening his strings after playing. I guess as he would have been playing a peghead guitar back then that means taking ALL the tension out of the strings. Would this have the same "effect" as taking them off and flipping them around?
I used to do the flipping the bass strings thing, and was very careful when putting new bass strings on to wind them on the rollers very neatly without putting any kinks in them and with as much string wound onto the rollers as possible. When I flipped them around the grubby section of string between the sound hole and bridge ended up wound onto the rollers (or at least beyond the nut), and the (more or less) completely new un-played section of string off the rollers was now between the sound-hole and bridge. Meanwhile the worn section of string over the first 5 frets was swapped with the unfretted section above the 12th fret (disclaimer: all claims relating to fret numbers are approximate....).
My main guitars now have mechanical pegs so it's not possible to wind a lot of string onto them, so I just loosen the bass strings and move them down a bit, so the worn patch over the frets is moved along. It doesn't make a lot of difference, but means they don't wear out over the frets. I am using Royal Classics, change treble strings infrequently and get separate bass packs which come with an extra 4th string.
I have in the past had long periods of using D'Addario and Savarez, as well as shorter periods of using La Bella and Luthier. D'Addario are sold everywhere, relatively cheap and never break, but I don't like the feel or sound - stiff and dull IMO. Savarez are expensive, and always seemed to take a long time to settle down, then sounded great for not very long, then went stiff or broke.
I think different strings seem to suit different guitars as well as different players. My guitars were made with Royal Classics, and I have tried out other brands but gone back to and stuck with Royal Classics. Also the separate bass pack deal is good value.
|
|
|
|
