An acoustic guitar question.

[ColinJ]

Sorry if I came across a bit abrupt.

It will work though.

I didn't think that you were abrupt - I just wasn't expecting a response and to be honest, I hadn't thought of what contribution the strings make to the sound; I was only thinking about the guitar itself! Stupid really, because I know how muffled the bass strings on my old spanish guitar used to get when they started to tarnish.

I don't what strings came on the Tanglewood (I'm still on the original set!) but the shop gave me a spare set when I bought the guitar and it turns out that they happen to be Ernie Ball 'Regular Slinky'. I assume that the numbers on the bottom of the packet (12/16/24/32/44/54) are the gauges of the strings and I also assume that the bigger the number, the bigger the diameter of the string? So, it seems that you are recommending a smaller bottom string, almost the size of the 'A' string in my spare set. Can you buy the strings individually then in different gauges?

In fact, can somebody just explain what the pros and cons of different gauges are? Obviously the tensions in different gauge strings would have to be different to get the same pitch.

The more I find out about guitars, the more there seems to be to learn!

Incidentally, I made a note of the model number of my guitar - it is a Tanglewood TW-170AS-CE. Hmm, I've just noticed that they are now going for about £385 - about £100 more than I paid for mine. Must be due to currency fluctuations.

 

[purplepolly]

IIn fact, can somebody just explain what the pros and cons of different gauges are? Obviously the tensions in different gauge strings would have to be different to get the same pitch.
.

Lower tension strings are easier to play. When I started playing I used these for a couple of months and they allowed me to practice for a lot longer as my fingers didn't get as sore. However the sound isn't as good, especially on the bass strings, and they're not as good for techniques like hammer ons /pull offs and especially bends. So unless you're starting off or have rsi or arthritis etc, using something that's higher tension.

 

[MichaelM]

Here's a picture of my inexpensive ladder-braced, small-bodied guitar,

Is that a Vintage guitar? The V looks like it could be but Vintage guitars tend to have the whole name on the stock - then I read you bought it 20 years ago so maybe they've changed things.

Had a quick listen to your tune, I like the sound of the guitar - how are you recording it? I can't open my mouth and play at the same time myself!

 

[Watt-O]

If it's like the "hybrids" I've seen, then it's basically just an electric with a piezo pickup to give "acoustic" tone. To be honest, they are nothing like an acoustic guitar. Part of the joy of the acoustic is you work to make the sound as there isn't anything helping you out. Result is it sounds amazing and it makes you concentrate more, which results in you learning to play more precisely. I'd suggest, as has been already said, to get down to a good guitar shop and play around with some acoustics to get a feel for them.

A good acoustic will reward you for years and years, plus one with a solid top (and ideally solid back and sides but this is less important) will just sound better and better as you play it more over the years.

Also, have you seen the price? Given the current exchange rate, that's about £1200 ish . . although it might not be quite so steep over there.

If you like that, you'ld love a T5....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2005-Taylor-T...s_CV?hash=item562e500551&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Only a couply of hundred quid more, but a great axe. Or pick up a bargain alternative: the Line 6 Variax....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Line-6-Variax...s_CV?hash=item3ef824838a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Happy hunting!

PS A man can never have too many guitars!

 

[Andy in Sig]

It looks like a gimmick to me. "Strings fanning out across the top to make use of the entire surface as a sounding board, and eliminating the bridge as a focused pressure point that would otherwise decrease the natural vibration of the guitar top." So all the other guitars that use the bridge as a focussed pressure point are doing it wrong are they? In my opinion this isn't the dog's bollocks, it's just bollocks.

I wasn't suggesting you should go blind etc Andy, I was talking about the sound of the instrument. When I bought my little ladder-braced guitar 20 years ago I wasn't aware how closely it resembles those old Stella guitars, it was just that it had the sound I was looking for. I also find a small guitar far more comfortable.

I suppose that it is a checkable gimmick i.e. somebody could subject it to scientific tests. At least he's thinking about guitar design.

 

[very-near]

Is it me or is this thread turning into an online version of the spotty kid showing off his best riffs in the back of the guitar shop to intimidate the other customers

 

[onlyhuman]

Is that a Vintage guitar? The V looks like it could be but Vintage guitars tend to have the whole name on the stock - then I read you bought it 20 years ago so maybe they've changed things.

Had a quick listen to your tune, I like the sound of the guitar - how are you recording it? I can't open my mouth and play at the same time myself!

Hi Michael,

It's a Vantage, not a Vintage. I understand that at the time my guitar was made, Vantage were located in Korea and made decent quality medium-priced guitars, but then the business was bought and they moved to Japan and went downmarket.

If I remember correctly I recorded this very simply with a cheap mic and a minidisk Walkman. I also often find it difficult to sing and play at the same time, but I got away with it this time.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Is it me or is this thread turning into an online version of the spotty kid showing off his best riffs in the back of the guitar shop to intimidate the other customers

 

[Mr Pig]

Or pick up a bargain alternative: the Line 6 Variax...

Not seen that before. Looks like a very clever idea, of a very stupid one! Not sure which.

 

[maverick]

I didn't think that you were abrupt - I just wasn't expecting a response and to be honest, I hadn't thought of what contribution the strings make to the sound; I was only thinking about the guitar itself! Stupid really, because I know how muffled the bass strings on my old spanish guitar used to get when they started to tarnish.

I don't what strings came on the Tanglewood (I'm still on the original set!) but the shop gave me a spare set when I bought the guitar and it turns out that they happen to be Ernie Ball 'Regular Slinky'. I assume that the numbers on the bottom of the packet (12/16/24/32/44/54) are the gauges of the strings and I also assume that the bigger the number, the bigger the diameter of the string? So, it seems that you are recommending a smaller bottom string, almost the size of the 'A' string in my spare set. Can you buy the strings individually then in different gauges?

In fact, can somebody just explain what the pros and cons of different gauges are? Obviously the tensions in different gauge strings would have to be different to get the same pitch.

The more I find out about guitars, the more there seems to be to learn!

Incidentally, I made a note of the model number of my guitar - it is a Tanglewood TW-170AS-CE. Hmm, I've just noticed that they are now going for about £385 - about £100 more than I paid for mine. Must be due to currency fluctuations.

You assume rightly. I was attributing the "flabby" sound to fret/string vibration which can be minimised by using a smaller diam. string. This may of course not be what you meant.
Most music shops will sell strings seperately. Perhaps best to change the full set though.
Ernie Ball regular slinky custom gauge 10,13,17,26,36,46 are my choice for practice and home playing.

 

[Andy in Sig]

Anway to come back to the original point, I think I'm sold on that Babicz Octane and so shall have to start saving.

 

[onlyhuman]

Ernie Ball regular slinky custom gauge 10,13,17,26,36,46 are my choice for practice and home playing.

I like a top light bottom heavy set like 10 13 17 30w 42w 52w, for acoustic blues, nickel not bronze.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

i thought if you had an acoustic guitar, it meant that you were a protest singer…

 

[Watt-O]

Not seen that before. Looks like a very clever idea, of a very stupid one! Not sure which.

I've played one in the shop - it feels like a Danelectro U2 reproduction (nice!), but I did not try out all its sounds.

 

[ColinJ]

(I know that this is off the original topic, so please forgive me... )

You assume rightly. I was attributing the "flabby" sound to fret/string vibration which can be minimised by using a smaller diam. string. This may of course not be what you meant.

No, I think it just doesn't seem to resonate quite as well. To be honest, I only notice when playing that string by itself.

Most music shops will sell strings seperately. Perhaps best to change the full set though.

Ernie Ball regular slinky custom gauge 10,13,17,26,36,46 are my choice for practice and home playing.

I like a top light bottom heavy set like 10 13 17 30w 42w 52w, for acoustic blues, nickel not bronze.

It says custom gauge phosphor bronze on the packet. It sounds like I've got a spare set of pretty hefty strings because the gauges are bigger than either of you use.

As I said - I don't know what the Tanglewood was supplied with. I might see if I can find out on their website... Okay, according to the Tanglewood website my guitar came fitted with D'Addario EXP 11 strings which are 12/16/24/32/42/53 gauge.

I think I'd better learn to play before I concern myself too much with subjects such as string makes and gauges!