String question

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Member Since: May 10, 2007

what strings do you guys think are best for recording acoustic? i love elixirs and tried another coated one too that was great. any string better to get that really great singer songwriter/ Micheal hedges style sound?

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Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004

Mar 05, 2008 11:23 am

Not sure it's the strings, other than the fact that a new set is preferable. The set up of your guitar is going to make a huge difference, as is the mics and placement. I like phosphor bronze, but I don't do the Kaki King/Michael Hedges thing.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003

Mar 05, 2008 12:50 pm

Yeah IMO the string type isn't as important as the strings' condition. New but not too new would be my preference. Too new and they sound all metallic, too old and they are impossible to keep in tune and they make a guitar sound all boxy and cheap.

The elixers get a lot of good press by their fans. Long-lasting, corrosion resistant. Ever-so attenuated highs. People that love them REALLY love them. I've never even tried them myself though...I've always been a phosphor/bronze guy too. they die quicker than a fruit fly but they sound good in their short life span.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004

Mar 05, 2008 03:20 pm

If you're playing out, then elixir or cleartone.

If you're recording, then I'd say go with the un-coated strings, as they'll give you better beef tone than coated strings.

I put cleartone on my 6, but wasn't overly impressed. they still degraded about as fast (light playing) and didn't sound as spanky as I would have thought.

But still, they're worth a try for someone testing out strings. Some people play them for 3 or 4 times longer than bare strings.

ymmv, imho, etc.

< sheepish mode >

i just put some 'first act' $3.47 wally-world strings on my J45. I can't get to the music store very easy, and they were right there, and cheap. Don't sound too bad, i must say.

< /sheepish mode >

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003

Mar 05, 2008 03:32 pm

Haha, I used Vinci strings for a couple of years, they were about the same caliber as the First Act strings...probably seconds from the Ernie Ball factory or something.

www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005

Mar 05, 2008 03:36 pm

Quote:
what strings do you guys think are best for recording acoustic?

pfft! Dude, you need a microphone to record acoustic.

Sorry, its just the kind of mood I'm in today. Must be some sort of second wind withdrawls or something.

I like the coated Elixers on acoustic. Nice and bright sound without a lot of finger squeaks.

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004

Mar 05, 2008 04:27 pm

I didn't like the Elixers at all when I tried them . I didn't find them to be bright enough, and they didn't 'outlast' any other strings I've used, although the string noise was reduced considerably . I dun'no... maybe it's just the whole 'coated' thing ? : p

Lately it's been Dean Markleys phosphorus-bronze, but that's only because I can't for the life of me find any friggin' Adamas in any of the local stores . : /

All of that crap said, it really depends on what your guitar wants you to use . So, try a few different sets out and see which one that picky 'lil trollip REALLY likes lashed onto her .

First Act ? $3.47 ? I'm checkin' those out !!

Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004

Mar 06, 2008 11:26 am

My Luthier buddy buys them in bulk from somewhere. I'll have to find out where. He has huge packs with one gauge in each - all laid straight. If he needs, say, an 'A' string, he pulls one from the bundle. No fiddling around in envelopes. Nice strings too.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006

Mar 06, 2008 11:37 am

I would definitely take a little less bright with those coated strings if it loses a little of the "finger slide squeak". It's usually in such a spot that it sounds obvious if you try to edit them out manually.

Me personally I don't squeak that bad, but some of the folks I've recorded were horrid.

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003

Mar 06, 2008 04:25 pm

i gotta mention brass strings again. they're fun, just to play around with. they probably won';t give you the sound you're looking for, though. they're extremely, extremely bright, like a harpsichord. i forget if i was using an 80/20 blend like below, all i know is that what i used was mostly brass. you can't find them in stores i don't think. i've only seen them in a store once. they gotta be ordered.

www.musiciansfriend.com/p...ght-?sku=100897


Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Mar 08, 2008 08:18 pm

I don't do coated strings at all. They do alter the tone no matter what anyone tells you. I have been using the D'Addario EXP Phosphor Bronze since they came out and love them. Break in is quick and not to painful to play through. They sound great and last a pretty fair amount of time as long as you keep them clean. I have a tendency to wipe my strings down after about ten minutes of playing just to avoid crap building up. Yes, I sweat.

The set I use on my Hohner is .012 to .053. Heavy enough to get a thick tone but still not finger cutting heavy.

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