String choices and a weak hand

Finger Stylish · #1 02-05-2017, 06:57 PM

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.

Doubleneck · #2 02-05-2017, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finger Stylish

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.

Tune down 1/2 step.

GuitarDoc · #3 02-06-2017, 08:23 AM

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.

sirwhale · #4 02-06-2017, 10:53 AM

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.

Finger Stylish · #5 02-06-2017, 07:00 PM

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.

#6 02-07-2017, 03:45 PM

Finger Stylish;

Just curious--have you tried nylon string guitars? I think they are more user friendly.

Finger Stylish · #7 02-07-2017, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvanB

Finger Stylish;

Just curious--have you tried nylon string guitars? I think they are more user friendly.

Yes sir. I have one that I use for certain songs, but most of what I do, steel is the better voice.
Thanks for the suggestion.

Doubleneck · #8 02-07-2017, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finger Stylish

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.

Capo one if you need to play in E but I singing a step lower can be good.

Finger Stylish · #9 02-08-2017, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doubleneck

Capo one if you need to play in E but I singing a step lower can be good.

I do a Jim Croce tribute set and his range is bordering on low for my tenor range. With the simultaneous singing and playing up the neck on songs like Time in a bottle, these dreams, Don't mess around with....... and depending on the guitar part I'm playing; I'm challenged when it comes to musical multi tasking. I have tried it before. Throw a few alternate tuning songs into the mix, and I can really get wacky.

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.

#10 02-08-2017, 09:45 AM

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.

sirwhale · #11 02-13-2017, 10:19 AM

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.

121 · #12 02-13-2017, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirwhale

I think the CF guitars we have here are highly responsive and don't necessarily need high gauges to sound good like other guitars.

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.

sirwhale · #13 02-14-2017, 03:27 AM

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.

Finger Stylish · #14 02-14-2017, 04:11 AM

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.

FrankHudson · #15 02-14-2017, 11:54 AM

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?