12s for fingerstyle?

[Jimi2]

Now that I have my PRS dedicated for lead duties, I’m thinking of setting up my Warmoth Jazzmaster for electric fingerpicking. It has single coils (yeah, a little weird, I know) and a 1.75” nut so it should be pretty well suited. I went from 10s to 11s and that was helpful, but for open tunings I’m thinking I’d do better with 12s. Any suggestions on heavy electric strings? I’m thinking plain 3rd and something where the wounds are kind of mellow; definitely don’t want flats but I would like the treble strings to stand out a bit.

[David Eastwood]

I’ve used Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky on my old Hondo Lead II, tuned up to Open E and played fingerstyle with a slide.

They feel great, and with their weight and tension, I can keep the action low for fretting without having to worry about hitting frets with the slide.

Oh, and they sound terrific too, with the Danelectro-style lipstick pickups I have installed on this guitar.

IMG_0571.jpg

[Jimi2]

Thanks. How does that plain .024 work out for you? I tried an unwound .022 on an acoustic once and it was wonky.

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Jimi2

Thanks. How does that plain .024 work out for you? I tried an unwound .022 on an acoustic once and it was wonky.

On an electric guitar it feels just fine to me - I barely even notice it. Not so on an acoustic, where a plain third feels weird.

The difference probably doesn’t make a lot of sense, but like so many other things guitar-related, it doesn’t necessarily pass close scrutiny

[Jimi2]

Originally Posted by David Eastwood

On an electric guitar it feels just fine to me - I barely even notice it. Not so on an acoustic, where a plain third feels weird.

The difference probably doesn’t make a lot of sense, but like so many other things guitar-related, it doesn’t necessarily pass close scrutiny

Yeah, sounds good! I’m looking at a set with. .020 third, so that should work. I think maybe my problem was my Martin not being set up for that .022 - the intonation was bad. Will definitely need a setup on this one too, going from 10s to 12s.

Anyone else playing thick electric strings for fingerstyle? Does it sound like this will work?

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by Jimi2

Now that I have my PRS dedicated for lead duties, I’m thinking of setting up my Warmoth Jazzmaster for electric fingerpicking. It has single coils (yeah, a little weird, I know) and a 1.75” nut so it should be pretty well suited. I went from 10s to 11s and that was helpful, but for open tunings I’m thinking I’d do better with 12s. Any suggestions on heavy electric strings? I’m thinking plain 3rd and something where the wounds are kind of mellow; definitely don’t want flats but I would like the treble strings to stand out a bit.

Jimi,
I use a D'Addario J-22 set on my electrics, with a wound G. They're basically .056-.013. Both are single coil instruments.

Plain G's of any type don't sit well with my ears. I play exclusively in open tunings, primarily open D & open G w/lowC.

As far as the treble strings 'standing out', that would have more to do with your technique than anything. If it's helpful, here's my Warmoth Tele build with Pete Biltoft CC pickups through a Fishman Loudbox Performer:



HE

[Jimi2]

That is helpful, thanks! Great tone and playing as well!

I don’t even play 13s on my acoustics, so I think I’ll stick with 12s for now. I haven’t been able to get the tone I’m looking for so far, so I hope this will be enough to help.

[joeappel]

That sounds great Howard!

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by Jimi2

... I went from 10s to 11s and that was helpful, but for open tunings I’m thinking I’d do better with 12s...I’m thinking plain 3rd and something where the wounds are kind of mellow; definitely don’t want flats but I would like the treble strings to stand out a bit.

If you want a true "acoustic" feel stick with a wound G (unwound sounds kinda wonky to me ) and try a set of Martin Monel MM12's - most players don't realize they're magnetic (until LaBella developed flatwounds circa 1940 monels were the go-to string for the first generation of electric players), and once they break in they'll givbe you that clear treble and mellow bass you're looking for,,,

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by Jimi2

That is helpful, thanks! Great tone and playing as well!

I don’t even play 13s on my acoustics, so I think I’ll stick with 12s for now. I haven’t been able to get the tone I’m looking for so far, so I hope this will be enough to help.

Here's another tonal possibility: Here's the same string set in open G w/low C on my home built 'Shelley', a Strat body with a Warmoth neck and a pair of DeArmond Dynasonic 2000 pickups. I'm using the neck pickup here playing through a 1961 Fender Tremolux combo amp bridged into the Fishman Loudbox Performer.



HE

[Jimi2]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

If you want a true "acoustic" feel stick with a wound G (unwound sounds kinda wonky to me ) and try a set of Martin Monel MM12's - most players don't realize they're magnetic (until LaBella developed flatwounds circa 1940 monels were the go-to string for the first generation of electric players), and once they break in they'll givbe you that clear treble and mellow bass you're looking for,,,

Great idea, Steve. I actually put a set of Daddario nickel bronze acoustic strings on my PRS electric, and those sound great, so that’s another option. I have a set of Daddario pure nickel 12s on the way, so I’ll start with those. But monels could work too.

[Jimi2]

Originally Posted by Howard Emerson

Here's another tonal possibility: Here's the same string set in open G w/low C on my home built 'Shelley', a Strat body with a Warmoth neck and a pair of DeArmond Dynasonic 2000 pickups. I'm using the neck pickup here playing through a 1961 Fender Tremolux combo amp bridged into the Fishman Loudbox Performer.



HE

Sounds great!