String Issues

JimInMO

JimInMO

New member
I have recently been using D'Addario light top/heavy bottom (10-52) and really like the feel and sound of them when new. However the E -.010, B - .013 and G - .017 very quickly start to develop an annoying metallic ringing that's not fret buzz. More like a nasty harmonic. I mean by quickly, its long before the lower strings start going dead and need changing. The guitars in use are both Strat type parts casters. Both have import bridges. One has been upgraded with GraphTech String Saver saddles. I do a lot of bending on these strings and that's probably the cause but wondering if there could be something else going on. I Buy individual strings now and change frequently.
 
Re: String Issues

rust, probably. you're probably like me and your hands sweat enough while playing to begin to corrode the plain strings.
Wash you hands before you play, and use a dry, soft cloth to clean off the strings before you put the guitar away.

Go to a guitar shop or online dealer and find any brand of string cleaner... most of em do at least something like what they claim. a 5 dollar bottle of that stuff usually gives me another solid week or 2 of decent-playing strings, and that 5 dollar bottle will last through several string changes.

The best option in my opinion is Elixir strings. I dunno, some people say they sound bad or feel bad and I notice a difference in the sound but it's not bad. It's just a lil rounder sound. They break in slowly and last forever even without cleaning them. I use the nanowebs when I can get good deals on em and one string set lasts me about 8 weeks if I never clean them and probably closer to 10 or 12 weeks if i clean them semi-regularly. That's with playing about 5 hours a week, so YMMV.
 
Re: String Issues

Cheap strings go off quick. Lesson don't use strings that cost 50c a pack to make.
 
Re: String Issues

Does the string sound think and chocked, kind of like a Sitar does? I suspect is it the nut on the guitar. I've had guitars do weird noises on the high e string, and noticed it was either that the nut was sort of catching the string, or that there was some kind of debris on the string, which didn't let it ring out clearly.

D'addario is a respected string maker, I don't think the issue lies there. Just in case though, pick up some GHS or Ernie ball strings.
 
Re: String Issues

FuseG4: I do wipe down the neck, both front and back, after playing. That is good advise though. Rust and gunk can drastically shorten string life.
John L: D'Addario are not real expensive but definitely not cheap. Between 4 and 5 bucks a pack.
astrozombie: Yes, Sitar like sound is a good description. Kind of like the unwound G with staggered pole pups deal but more pronounced. Don't think it's the nut though. Sounds worse when fretted . That's why I thought the problem might be with the bridge. I have used about every type of string made over the last 50 years and really like the D'Addario's except for the topic of discussion. They sound crisp and clean for the first few hours then turn sour real quick. The lower strings sound good for a long time. Think I will try E, B and G string's from some other manufactures though. Maybe the D'Addario's just don't like being stretched with a lot of full step bends.
 
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Re: String Issues

I have had really good results in both overall tone and especially longevity with Snake Oil brand strings. The guy makes strings the way they were made back in the 50's and 60's.....lots of pure nickle.

He has two types, his vintage or regular strings and then a rock set that is a little brighter. I tend to leave strings on my guitars for a long, long time and I have never had a set of these strings crap out on me. Not really much more cost than what you are playing now. Plus he'll make any combo of strings you want and will sell you individual strings as well if you tend to break or wear out some more than others.

http://www.snakeoilstrings.com/

If you have the time and want to learn a lot about strings, take the time to read some of his articles, posted under articles oddly enough, on his site. Good info....more than you'll ever need to know about strings.
 
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