My custom string sets

[Clint 55]

Here are my custom string sets that I've spent 2.5 years perfecting. They sound and feel hella better than screwball standard packs. The tension is balanced but with the bass strings slightly heavier for more body and since the bass strings feel slinkier than the treble strings at the same tension. I like the XL plain steels better than the NYXLs since the NYXLs feel kind of rubber bandy. But the NYXL wound strings are juicier and more tone rich. Then I stick an XL as the low 6th string because it's more dry and solid. $$. The rock ax set has good flexibility and articulation and enough body without being boomy. The jazz ax set is fatter and makes the transition to a heavier feeling set. They cost me about $12 from stringsandbeyond.com.


Rock ax

D--10----12.88 lbs--XL
A--13.5--13.17 lbs--XL
F--17----13.16 lbs--XL
C--26----14.53 lbs--NYXL
G--36----15.04 lbs--NYXL
D--49----15.06 lbs--XL

Jazz ax

D--10.5--14.20 lbs--XL
A--14----14.16 lbs--XL
F--18----14.75 lbs--XL
C--28----16.69 lbs--NYXL
G--38----16.55 lbs--NYXL
D--52----16.78 lbs--XL


Rock ax




Jazz ax

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: My custom string sets

I don't like mixing different types of strings, but I do like custom sets. Curt Mangan will make custom sets with your name and picture on the label for less than $10 a set, and SIT will make them (no custom packaging) for like $7 or $8.

I've given up on balancing by numbers. The best feeling Strat I've ever played was a 1962 that belongs to a local guy. He uses 12,16,19,32,42,56 tuned to Eb. I thought they were 10s or 11s at first.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: My custom string sets

Cool, I haven't tried those brands. Good tone?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: My custom string sets

Yes. Both make their own strings, so they're worth trying. I have CM strings on my mandolin and acoustic guitar right now. Are you familiar with how a mandolin is strung? If not, there are four pairs of strings (called courses), each pair tuned to the same note, like a 12 string but the same octave. Curt's strings are the most in tune I've ever heard my mandolin sound, by a long shot. On the guitar, I use his 12.5-55 set. They sound as ballsy as mediums (13-56), but feel like lights (12-53).

I haven't tried the CM electric strings yet, but I'm sure they'll be awesome. I've used SIT electric strings a zillion times, and they're great.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: My custom string sets

I use the CM Pure Nickel and Nickel Wound in 9-46 and have been really happy with them. Great lifespan too. Highly recommended.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: My custom string sets

I've been thinking about using a standard Ernie Ball Super Slinky set with an 11 for the high E; using standard tuning (so double 11s for the high E & B strings.)

No problem with 42 - 11 for the other strings - but a 9 gauge high E does weird things with surf-style tremolo picking; probably a reason Dick Dale used super heavy strings. Aside from that particular practical limitation I dislike the idea of going any heavier though. Lighter gauges help me relax and play effortlessly, and never felt the need to change up strings to sound any heavier the way my rigs are tweaked (I also prefer the tendency of lighter strings to provide a compression-like effect.)

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: My custom string sets

Jazz ax

D--10.5--14.20 lbs--XL
A--14----14.16 lbs--XL
F--18----14.75 lbs--XL
C--28----16.69 lbs--NYXL
G--38----16.55 lbs--NYXL
D--52----16.78 lbs--XL

This is pretty close to my setup on several guitars -nice choice

I use XL and NYXL on all my D standard guitars. NYXL on my Tele always XLs on a few others where I don't need the chime

I have a bunch of guitars with odd tunings that only go down to 14 and have double 17s etc.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: My custom string sets

Lighter gauges help me relax and play effortlessly

Yap, I used 9s when I played in standard tuning. 10s in D have the same tension.

nice choice.

Thx

 

[Clint 55]

Re: My custom string sets

I've given up on balancing by numbers. The best feeling Strat I've ever played was a 1962 that belongs to a local guy. He uses 12,16,19,32,42,56 tuned to Eb.

I doubt it would sound worse if he balanced it more.

0.0120 in. 20.81 lbs
0.0160 in. 20.77 lbs
0.0200 in. 20.44 lbs
0.0310 in. 23.21 lbs
0.0420 in. 22.70 lbs
0.0560 in. 22.47 lbs

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: My custom string sets

I doubt it would sound worse if he balanced it more.

I get why you'd wanna do that, except it played great as he had it.

Ever heard Josh Smith? He uses a plain 26 G (13-58) in standard, and bends like they're 10s.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: My custom string sets

Stuff that's counter-intuitive to me doesn't make me feel more soul even though I admire those who are like that.

 

[Jacew]

Re: My custom string sets

I use Curt Mangans as well. They're great strings and cheap to build custom sets with.

I've found 10, 13.5, 17, 26, 36, 48 to make well balanced set.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: My custom string sets

I ain't got time fo dat!

 

[Cobra1957]

Re: My custom string sets

This why I love this forum! I have learned a ton by just reading...custom strings? Who would have thunk it...

 

[Clint 55]

Re: My custom string sets

^Yap, they're good!

I ain't got time fo dat!

That's cuz you're a poser blazer!

 

[Van Noord]

Re: My custom string sets

^Yap, they're good!



That's cuz you're a poser blazer!

No it's because my playing is not held back by such minute and trivial fallacies that I've somehow used to convince myself is the cause of any lack of progression. I found sets that work for each guitar just fine and as a result I play those guitars, I instead of sitting and pining over individual gauges because "my fingies hurt when I do bendies on this stringy but not on that stringy" lol!

 

[Clint 55]

Re: My custom string sets

So $5000 luxury amps = awesome and $12 luxury strings = dumb?

 

[Van Noord]

Re: My custom string sets

Dumb and unnecessary are not mutually exclusive. You definitely get more for your money and return with high dollar amps then you do with unique string sets.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: My custom string sets

Unnecessary? What are you a pro cyclist shedding weight off his $10,000 bike? The purpose is enjoyment.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: My custom string sets

Well, we all know just how sensitive you are...but are you that sensitive that your enjoyment is sacrificed/diminished if you are forced to use predetermined sets by the big string companies?