daddario gypsy jazz for acoustic : TOO STICKY!

[greekdude]

Hello again folks, playing a lot of the acoustic as of late, and I try to play some serious gypsy jazz stuff. So I dropped the set I had in my acoustic (can't remember which one it was, but played wonderful) in order to try this daddario gypsy jazz silver wound 11's set. Well I like the sound, meaning I do not hate it, but these strings feel SO sticky, I cannot shred like I was able to do with the previous set.

So, what's the deal? are those good only for jazz strumming ? Or are they supposed to be good for solos as well?

What do you guys use for soloing on your acoustics?

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: daddario gypsy jazz for acoustic : TOO STICKY!

they are designed to go on the longer scale selmer type axes. I tried a set on my flattop and they were not half as groovy as how they feel on a selmer. You can't just swap strings and expect to get the feel of a selmer (or copy). There is a lot to gypsy guitars from the scale length, the woods, the bracing, the wide, shallow neck (the acoustic version of ibanez wizard necks IMHO) the low, buzzy action. The way the whole thing feels and responds is quite a different experience from playing an american style flattop.
You can always try using light gauge electric strings. Its a bit brighter than bronzes and the unwound 3rd string gives you ease of bending, so you phrase differently. But you really need a gitane or something similar if you want to really get the feel for the gypsy style.
A super heavy pick is nice too. 4mm is not unusual. Check out the nice picks from wegen.

 

[greekdude]

Re: daddario gypsy jazz for acoustic : TOO STICKY!

thanx, my problem is not any of those you mentioned. My problem is that they are sticky as hell. Cannot slide the left finger without the fear of getting stuck somewhere before it reaches its final destination I tried some powder for the hands and things got better, but its still ridiculously sticky.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: daddario gypsy jazz for acoustic : TOO STICKY!

thats odd.
the gypsy strings ive tried have been very slippy.
Maybe yours are rusty? maybe there was some kind of qc issue with your set.

 

[greekdude]

Re: daddario gypsy jazz for acoustic : TOO STICKY!

no rust at all. bright silver color on them. Now that they are broken-in, they feel better

 

[ddawson2012]

Re: daddario gypsy jazz for acoustic : TOO STICKY!

no rust at all. bright silver color on them. Now that they are broken-in, they feel better

Very odd indeed - don from D'Addario here - just to be safe, do you still have the baggie in which the strings came in? There's a code on them - enter that code here - www.daddario.com/PLAYREAL - Silver-Plated Copper shouldn't be sticky. If I can be of assistance on this - my email is don.dawson2@daddario.com - feel free to shoot me a note if the strings before problematic.

Don Dawson
Product Marketing Specialist
D'Addario

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: daddario gypsy jazz for acoustic : TOO STICKY!

^^^^^

 

[greekdude]

Re: daddario gypsy jazz for acoustic : TOO STICKY!

Very odd indeed - don from D'Addario here - just to be safe, do you still have the baggie in which the strings came in? There's a code on them - enter that code here - www.daddario.com/PLAYREAL - Silver-Plated Copper shouldn't be sticky. If I can be of assistance on this - my email is don.dawson2@daddario.com - feel free to shoot me a note if the strings before problematic.

Don Dawson
Product Marketing Specialist
D'Addario

Hey, Thanx! I no longer have the packaging/baggie, but I'll do that next time. I might consider the even warmer folk series. What strings would you recommend generally for acoustic fast soloing? Should I go back to coated bronze?

 

[ddawson2012]

Re: daddario gypsy jazz for acoustic : TOO STICKY!

That's quite a subjective topic - some players find coated strings allow them to move more quickly but clearly there's a sonic variable mixed into that equation. Gypsy Jazz is it's own animal and Silver Plated Copper seems to have a tonality that fits well in that mix. If you're thinking about going outside of that, we make a string call "Flat Tops" which is a polished phosphor bronze string - not sure how that would sound with regard to what you're looking for but it would serve a similar purpose as a coated string, in that the windings wouldn't be in your way.

 

[greekdude]

Re: daddario gypsy jazz for acoustic : TOO STICKY!

flat tops is what I am gonna try next. I am no "gypsy jazz" purist or anything, in fact I find their shape rather uncomfortable and obsolete. I like anything that sounds good and is able to get some real shredding!
Thanx for your professional stance and support! Thumps up to daddario.