• From: Sussex UK
  • Registered: 2009-07-12
  • Posts: 1,465

Topic: strings help please

firstly sorry for starting up a thread that I know could turn into a can of worms, - but I will ask it here rather than a guitar messageboard because I think that I will get some sensible answers rather than argument!

My son's Telecaster needed another new set of strings,- he does play it a lot, at least and hour most days so this time thought that we would try some better quality coated strings rather than whatever was cheap, so went for Elixir Nanoweb (??) light-heavy/-0.010, 0.013, 0.017, 0.032, 0.042, 0.052. Listening to him practice tonight (first time of playing with these new strings) I could hear something different, - the higher notes were clearer and brighter, - tone on the lower notes was a bit muddy but that could be down to amp/tone settings. But he was noticeably struggling a bit with bends, and speed of what I would call the twiddly bits, - he said that he was not bothered  and that he would get used to it, but when he went to his Michael Kelly Patriot with the old .09's (I think) his playing was back as quick and clear as it once was.

So my questions are firstly do you guys think that he should he stick at it with these thicker gauge strings, - I should add that we also increased the action as he was previously getting a lot of fret buzz so that could have an influence. In the longer term will there be benefits from making it a bit tougher now? - He is 13 and can easily out stretch anything I can reach and he does have good finger strength, - he has been playing nearly 7 years. I do not understand fully why people have such variance in string diameter, I can understand the theory that thicker strings get richer tone, - but the Rev Willy G uses very light strings so that kinda blows that argument apart.... Any advice appreciated.

My YouTube channel with plenty of my Joe's videos dating from 2009 inc his first Hammersmith Odeon ones:
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Ian916's Website

  • From: Georgia
  • Registered: 2010-12-01
  • Posts: 278

Re: strings help please

First, I do not care for any coated strings. Just my preference, but  think you lose tone, and they do sound different. I would rather change strings every week.

I played .09's for years, and did not flinch when I went to 10's. I think he will be alright. However as you say, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Topp uses .07's and has killer tone, while Ted Nugent uses .11's. I think the hands and technique hold the key to true tone, so maybe he will be fine just staying with the .09's.

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: strings help please

Ian916 wrote:

firstly sorry for starting up a thread that I know could turn into a can of worms, - but I will ask it here rather than a guitar messageboard because I think that I will get some sensible answers rather than argument!

My son's Telecaster needed another new set of strings,- he does play it a lot, at least and hour most days so this time thought that we would try some better quality coated strings rather than whatever was cheap, so went for Elixir Nanoweb (??) light-heavy/-0.010, 0.013, 0.017, 0.032, 0.042, 0.052. Listening to him practice tonight (first time of playing with these new strings) I could hear something different, - the higher notes were clearer and brighter, - tone on the lower notes was a bit muddy but that could be down to amp/tone settings. But he was noticeably struggling a bit with bends, and speed of what I would call the twiddly bits, - he said that he was not bothered  and that he would get used to it, but when he went to his Michael Kelly Patriot with the old .09's (I think) his playing was back as quick and clear as it once was.

So my questions are firstly do you guys think that he should he stick at it with these thicker gauge strings, - I should add that we also increased the action as he was previously getting a lot of fret buzz so that could have an influence. In the longer term will there be benefits from making it a bit tougher now? - He is 13 and can easily out stretch anything I can reach and he does have good finger strength, - he has been playing nearly 7 years. I do not understand fully why people have such variance in string diameter, I can understand the theory that thicker strings get richer tone, - but the Rev Willy G uses very light strings so that kinda blows that argument apart.... Any advice appreciated.

try Curt Mangan strings pure nickel 11-52 plain third you will never go back

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: strings help please

Yeah, stop using Elixirs. You can buy two or three Ernie Ball sets for one set of Elixirs... and those sets last as long. I think your problem is the strings are going dead too quick, or they're dead on arrival.

Here's what many people say about telecasters. They "should" always have 9's on them.  You can put 10's set on any guitar you want, but on a Tele it will not give you the Spank for Tele tone.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: kentucky
  • Registered: 2008-03-06
  • Posts: 304

Re: strings help please

i think you should for sure put strings on the guitar that feel comfortable to him.  i want engage in the gauge argument because I play mostly 9's.....have a couple of guitar with 10's on them and even one strat with 8's....so it's all about feel and comfort to me.

i have used d'addario's for years and they last pretty well, never break and sound great.  but I am not hard headed about this stuff and I love ernie ball strings as well, and have tried the new cobalts as well (still not sure what to think about them yet), and i like some fender strings as well.

but for my money the d'addario's do the trick and they are fairly cheap as well.

masque's Website

  • Registered: 2010-12-06
  • Posts: 122

Re: strings help please

I use Ernie Ball Super Slinkys and Extra Slinkys (8,& 9) and they last until I take them off!   Never felt the need to change brands, and only moved up to 9's cause the 8's didn't work well on a cheap Epi Jr.  Use what he likes, it will most likely end up costing close to the same anyway.  I started using Ernie Ball's when the Slinkys first came out and have never seen a reason to change.

  • From: Sussex UK
  • Registered: 2009-07-12
  • Posts: 1,465

Re: strings help please

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

Here's what many people say about telecasters. They "should" always have 9's on them.  You can put 10's set on any guitar you want, but on a Tele it will not give you the Spank for Tele tone.

I should have pointed out that it is not a normal telecaster, - it is FMT HH, - mahogany body with a maple top and a pair of humbuckers from Seymour Duncan, pearly gates and a '59 issue reverse polarity HB.

Thanks for your help so far guys, much appreciated.

My YouTube channel with plenty of my Joe's videos dating from 2009 inc his first Hammersmith Odeon ones:
http://www.youtube.com/ian916fun

Ian916's Website

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: strings help please

For what it's worth, I bought some Cleartone strings.... must have been a bad batch because they sounded D.O.A.
I wrote on their FB page they "felt" like normal strings but played like the worst strings ever, and they compensated by sending me three sets of new strings. The replacement strings sounded *much* better than the first batch, and seem to last just as long as Elixirs without the appearance of a coating, or even the feeling of one.

I also bought EB Cobalts and love them. Just have to find out what that particular guitar likes. Obviously, it's not liking Elixirs right now hmm

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: strings help please

Elixir make the best acoustic strings imo...the coating just works...and I had one set that I played every day and they lasted months.
...but it absolutely destroys on the electric set...they say they sound the same for a lot longer...that's because they come dead out the packet!
Cobalts for me just don't justify the extra price right now....EB Super/Hybrid Slinkys have done the job for years...no need to go changing.
I would go 9s to start...then hybrid set...then 10s and even a standard 11 set if you wish...but I wouldn't think about it too much...the tone is in the fingers and working to get the sound out of your head, through the wrists, into the fingers and out of the guitar is the most important...
Monster tone from the BFG with 7s and tuned to Eb...awful tone from the Nuge with 11s...seriously...

  • Registered: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 184

Re: strings help please

I have a MIM Telecaster that I love. I replaced the orginal 9's with a set of Rotosound Yellow's (10's) and my Tele came alive. Resonance was improved along with the overall tone.

My Gibson Les Paul Classic responded in the same way. Better tone and resonance just from a string change.

In my case the Rotosounds made a huge difference, but of course your results my differ. I did notice that my local Guitar Center isn't carrying Rotosound any more so I buy them online now.

Experiment a little if you can. You never know what you may find.

Nothin' but the Blues
  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: strings help please

I'm a big fan of Rotosounds also. I use the red 11-48 best strings I have used. big_smile

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)

12 Reply by ZeyerGTR (edited by ZeyerGTR 2012-10-04 15:05:24)

  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2010-04-15
  • Posts: 1,374

Re: strings help please

Elixir make the best acoustic strings imo...the coating just works...and I had one set that I played every day and they lasted months.
...but it absolutely destroys on the electric set...they say they sound the same for a lot longer...that's because they come dead out the packet!

Different strokes for different folks.  I love Elixer Nanowebs on my electrics, and I've been using them for 10 years.  Occasionally I'll go and try something else 'just because' but I always come back to Nanowebs on my electrics because they sound good and feel great forever.  Months, even with daily use.  And if you've got guitars that might sit on the hanger for a month or two, they're a godsend.  Non-coated strings do sound a little bit better to my ears (brighter and snappier) for a couple days at most, but then I wear them out.  After a week I have to change them.  Tonally the difference is so small it doesn't matter to me.   You guys have me curious to try Rotosounds, though... and I've been meaning to check out the Cobalts...

I don't like the tone of Nanowebs on my acoustics as much - too bright and thin - but I use them because of convenience (I just don't play acoustic much these days, so it's nice to not always be fighting rusty strings).  I have gotten great tone out of them, but it isn't my preference.  If I was doing a lot of acoustic playing and recording I'd probably go back to something else.

Nanowebs do feel a little different.  I think they're a little stiffer than non-coated, but the difference is slight, and they make up for it by feeling nice and smooth and slinky for so long.  FWIW, I tried Elixer Polywebs once way back and hated them.  The coating was way too thick and noticeable.  Nanowebs are awesome.

so went for Elixir Nanoweb (??) light-heavy/-0.010, 0.013, 0.017, 0.032, 0.042, 0.052. ... he said that he was not bothered  and that he would get used to it, but when he went to his Michael Kelly Patriot with the old .09's (I think) his playing was back as quick and clear as it once was.

You're comparing ease of bending of 10s and 9s?  That's going to far outweigh any difference in coated vs. not.  IMHO give the Nanowebs a shot.  It doesn't take long to get used to them, and imho the difference is slight and benefits far outweigh the small negatives.

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  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: strings help please

ZeyerGTR wrote:

]You're comparing ease of bending of 10s and 9s?  That's going to far outweigh any difference in coated vs. not.  It doesn't take long to get used to them, and imho the difference is slight and benefits far outweigh the small negatives.

+1

I don't notice a huge difference in bending, however fingering chords make 9's feel like a toy to my fingers at times.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: strings help please

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:
ZeyerGTR wrote:

]You're comparing ease of bending of 10s and 9s?  That's going to far outweigh any difference in coated vs. not.  It doesn't take long to get used to them, and imho the difference is slight and benefits far outweigh the small negatives.

+1

I don't notice a huge difference in bending, however fingering chords make 9's feel like a toy to my fingers at times.

My feelings exactly but to each his own

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • Registered: 2012-11-09
  • Posts: 6

Re: strings help please

Been using D'Addario 11-49 set on my Tele, they work pretty well for me. Seems like I play better and get better tone from heavier strings, though I think 11's are as heavy as I'll go. Try em all and see what works best, that's what's great about playing guitar, there really is no right or wrong.