#1
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String choices and a weak hand
I found the perfect string for my Rainsong H DR1000. I've been using Retro medium 13-56 with a wonderful sound/tone. My issue is my hands aren't as strong as they use to be. They tire after an hour or so. I've tried the Retro lights but they don't sound as good to me.
Any suggestions on an option would be appreciated.
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vANCe 1976 Martin D-28(original owner) 1992 Taylor 420(original owner) 2012 RainSong H DR 1000(original owner) 2011 Gretsch Anniversary Model(original owner) Mandolin- 1920's A-Style (unknown brand) Mandolin- Fender Mandostrat Banjo -2016 Gold Tone EBM-5+ Fender 2013- Strat |
#2
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Quote:
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Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom |
#3
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I have that same problem. I'm using medium on my martin and they put on lights. I did the same and put this on my carbon acoustic. I have light string on it now I recommend you try it. It has a different sound. you make like it being a fingerstylist. I'm not. I use a pick and finger pick and play pretty aggressively and needed to get used to the sound attack. the string rattle more. I've also tune down my 12 string down 2 steps so when I play with other people I just transpose the chords in my head as opposed to capoing.
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#4
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How about a light set but swap the plains for a 13 and a 17.
Or, try Newtone Double Wounds. The round core makes the very flexible and are easy to play and have a great sound. I use the 12-52, but have considered recently swapping the 12 and 16 for a 13 and 17.
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Christian Guitar: Camps Primera Negra A (a flamenco guitar) Strings: Aquila SugarAquila Rubino, Knobloch CX, Aquila Alchemia I play: Acoustic blues & folk Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/sirwhale28/videos |
#5
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Great suggestions!
I lowered the pitch 1/2 step and tried it a good while today. Played easier for sure, (thanks Steve; that was almost too simple) I am spot dependent playing up the neck, so it was interesting at times. Would take some neck time to get acclimated. Time is not my ally as I have several programs/gigs in the next 2 months. I am going to try some of the string options mentioned for now. I appreciate the good suggestions sirwhale & doc.
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vANCe 1976 Martin D-28(original owner) 1992 Taylor 420(original owner) 2012 RainSong H DR 1000(original owner) 2011 Gretsch Anniversary Model(original owner) Mandolin- 1920's A-Style (unknown brand) Mandolin- Fender Mandostrat Banjo -2016 Gold Tone EBM-5+ Fender 2013- Strat |
#6
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Finger Stylish;
Just curious--have you tried nylon string guitars? I think they are more user friendly. |
#7
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Quote:
Thanks for the suggestion.
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vANCe 1976 Martin D-28(original owner) 1992 Taylor 420(original owner) 2012 RainSong H DR 1000(original owner) 2011 Gretsch Anniversary Model(original owner) Mandolin- 1920's A-Style (unknown brand) Mandolin- Fender Mandostrat Banjo -2016 Gold Tone EBM-5+ Fender 2013- Strat |
#8
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Quote:
__________________
Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom |
#9
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Quote:
The fingerstyle instrumentals I do in a Travis/Atkins set would scare me. Maybe I should play more banjo. My Rainsong is so much easier on my left hand to begin with. I don't really notice how much till I play my old Martin. My Taylor is set up easy and it stays in double drop D.
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vANCe 1976 Martin D-28(original owner) 1992 Taylor 420(original owner) 2012 RainSong H DR 1000(original owner) 2011 Gretsch Anniversary Model(original owner) Mandolin- 1920's A-Style (unknown brand) Mandolin- Fender Mandostrat Banjo -2016 Gold Tone EBM-5+ Fender 2013- Strat |
#10
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Finger Stylish;
Have you tried the hard tension strings on your nylon string guitar? They voice differently, closer to steel string sound, but still easy on the hand. |
#11
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I have just emailed Neil at Newtone strings and ordered a set of double would PBs in these gauges:
13, 17, 22, 30, 40, 52 I think the CF guitars we have here are highly responsive and don't necessarily need high gauges to sound good like other guitars. These gauges will give me very similar tension across all strings.
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Christian Guitar: Camps Primera Negra A (a flamenco guitar) Strings: Aquila SugarAquila Rubino, Knobloch CX, Aquila Alchemia I play: Acoustic blues & folk Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/sirwhale28/videos Last edited by sirwhale; 02-14-2017 at 03:26 AM. |
#12
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I agree, my new Emerald X20 came with D'Addario Lights .011-.053, it now has D'Addario Extra Lights .010-.048, and is very responsive, clean and clear.
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Emerald 2016 X7 2017 X20 2018 X30 And four all laminate wood acoustic guitars |
#13
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You can try this easily with Martin Retro strings (you will have to buy an extra 13 and 17 to swap for the trebles):
Custom light: .011 .014 .023 .031 .041 .052 --> .013 .017 .023 .031 .041 .052 I think a lot of the "richness" comes from the heavier trebles, and the light basses still sound great - I even think the basses sound better in these lighter gauges, not as "tight" sounding (all from my experience with my L13). I tried this with a nickel plated stainless steel set. Before I thought this set was quite bright, as many would guess: 11, 15, 22, 30, 40, 52 But when I tried it with a 13 and a 17, they sounded amazing. I think the plain trebles have a lot of influence over what we hear when we say "richness". I find these sets really easy to play too as they have even tension and those middle strings are not so hard to fret on bar chords. It is the trebles, when fingerpicking, can sound too "light" maybe even "brittle" when getting to an 11 or below. To take this concept to the extreme, you can always look at Newtone Heritage strings that are made for equal tension across all strings. https://www.newtonestrings.com/shop/...stic-6-string/ A set with a 13 and a 17 in this style of string would look like this (but I prefer my gauges for now): .013 .017 .022 .031 .042 .055 26lbs 25lbs 26lbs 26lbs 26lbs 26lbs Total=155lbs Keep in mind that I play fingerpicking on a CF guitar. I'm sure stummers and flat pickers will have other stories about tone perceptions. But, at least, I think for the left hand, the even tension across the strings helps with fretting, while the basses don't lose any richness when going to a slightly lighter gauge (I actually prefer their sound). The latter probably doesn't apply to cheap guitars.
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Christian Guitar: Camps Primera Negra A (a flamenco guitar) Strings: Aquila SugarAquila Rubino, Knobloch CX, Aquila Alchemia I play: Acoustic blues & folk Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/sirwhale28/videos Last edited by sirwhale; 02-14-2017 at 04:35 AM. |
#14
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I ended up putting Retro custom lights on because I had a set on hand. I may give he 13 & 17's from my TR Retros a go and leave on the other Custom light G through E bass.
Thanks for the great testimonials. I will get around to the testing in the coming weeks.
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vANCe 1976 Martin D-28(original owner) 1992 Taylor 420(original owner) 2012 RainSong H DR 1000(original owner) 2011 Gretsch Anniversary Model(original owner) Mandolin- 1920's A-Style (unknown brand) Mandolin- Fender Mandostrat Banjo -2016 Gold Tone EBM-5+ Fender 2013- Strat |
#15
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If one does the swap out the B and high E string thing, it doesn't make much difference what strings you use in those gauges, right?
I think I've heard that the plain strings are pretty the same across types, string brands, etc. -- and if that's so a B and a high E from a Phosphor Bronze set, or even an "electric" string set would serve to try this out with a Retro set for the other four, lower strings. So is that right?
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----------------------------------- Creator of The Parlando Project Guitars: 20th Century Seagull S6-12, S6 Folk, Seagull M6; '00 Guild JF30-12, '01 Martin 00-15, '16 Martin 000-17, '07 Parkwood PW510, Epiphone Biscuit resonator, Merlin Dulcimer, and various electric guitars, basses.... |