Cubist
Still wavin'
- Location
- Ovver 'thill
Daddario 10s
Guitar Strings
- Thread starter Mr Pig
- Start date
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ttcycle
Cycling Excusiast
Ernie Ball are not bad for the price but if you are bulk buying the strings aren't sealed and can oxidise over time - though I quite like that; not the fan of new strings as they sound sharper but over trebley to me- thicker gauge are good for heavier sound but thinner gauge are better for soloing and finger picking perhaps. Depends on what your son likes to play stylistically.
Daddario do have an ok sound but been a long time since I used them to be frank!
Daddario do have an ok sound but been a long time since I used them to be frank!
BigonaBianchi
Yes I can, Yes I am, Yes I did...Repeat.
- Location
- Iskele TRNC & Mordor UK
I think string choice depends on playing style TBH. I play fast speed picking shred stuff and I use Di Addario hybrid sets 8 through to 46 on my strats with a high action, but On my Ibanez I use Diaddario 9- 46. DiAddarios just seem to last longer for me, I guess they resist my corrosive finger sweat better...also I like to colour coded rings
Truss rod adjustments..hmm..well I'd say try th eguitar with a range of guages forst then adjust...but generally if I change guages for any reason I will adjust the neck slightly.
Need to watch your nut grooves as well if you are fitting heavy strings to a guitar whose nut was cut for lights they wont fit so well.
When I fit new strings I make sure I stretch them in well before playing. Fit them, tune them up then pull the string out as far as you dare before it snaps and let it slapback against the neck...re tune..re stretch until th estring stays in tune when you stretch it.
Strings are cheaper online in job lots...guitar shops put a high mark up on them generally.
After playing get a clean cloth and rub down the strings to remove any sweat, this way they will last longer.
If you are really strapped for cash then remove th eentire set when old and worn, wind them up in a coil and boil them up in a suacepan and re fit...that will give you a few more days 'twang' out of them for free.
If I break a string I tend to re fit the entire set rather than just the broken one...it's a luxury but I find having jus tone new string in a worn in set sounds and feels carp.
Generally the heavier the string guage the more solid and clear the tone. But the harder they can be to play. Thinner guages wear out easier and they loose there tone quicker but are easier to play.
I'd set your guitar up with a set of standard 9's to start with and see how it goes. ..10's possibly...11's and 12's **** NOoooooooo
Truss rod adjustments..hmm..well I'd say try th eguitar with a range of guages forst then adjust...but generally if I change guages for any reason I will adjust the neck slightly.
Need to watch your nut grooves as well if you are fitting heavy strings to a guitar whose nut was cut for lights they wont fit so well.
When I fit new strings I make sure I stretch them in well before playing. Fit them, tune them up then pull the string out as far as you dare before it snaps and let it slapback against the neck...re tune..re stretch until th estring stays in tune when you stretch it.
Strings are cheaper online in job lots...guitar shops put a high mark up on them generally.
After playing get a clean cloth and rub down the strings to remove any sweat, this way they will last longer.
If you are really strapped for cash then remove th eentire set when old and worn, wind them up in a coil and boil them up in a suacepan and re fit...that will give you a few more days 'twang' out of them for free.
If I break a string I tend to re fit the entire set rather than just the broken one...it's a luxury but I find having jus tone new string in a worn in set sounds and feels carp.
Generally the heavier the string guage the more solid and clear the tone. But the harder they can be to play. Thinner guages wear out easier and they loose there tone quicker but are easier to play.
I'd set your guitar up with a set of standard 9's to start with and see how it goes. ..10's possibly...11's and 12's **** NOoooooooo
Amanda P
Legendary Member
- Location
- York. Well, York-ish...
You can't go far wrong with Ernie Ball 9s (Super Slinkys, in the pink packet).
They do age fast, though, so buy lots and be prepared to change them frequently.
They do age fast, though, so buy lots and be prepared to change them frequently.
I adjusted the truss rod a tad on my Westone Pantera to lower the action as there was a fair bit of fret wear when I bought it and I put 12's on initially IIRC (the first 5 frets really need replacing).
If it has been stored near a radiator or in a damp roo, there is always a risk things will move. That is why they make them adjustable at the end of the day.
If it has been stored near a radiator or in a damp roo, there is always a risk things will move. That is why they make them adjustable at the end of the day.
Not worth putting on your son's piece of firewood, but try some Thomastik strings; super sustain, tone and feel IMHO. Otherwise E Balls are fine. Definitely go for 9s though, as young fingers will struggle holding down anything heavier.
http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/714-thomastik_power_brights_electric_guitar_strings
http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/714-thomastik_power_brights_electric_guitar_strings
OP
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Mr Pig
New Member
- Location
- North Lanarkshire
So 9s then? He is only eleven.
I bet most of these strings come out of the same Chinese factory ;0)
I bet most of these strings come out of the same Chinese factory ;0)
Machine-gun-mike
New Member
- Location
- Loch Lomond
I would still go for tens mate, And listen to the guy thats been gigging for 30 years, I have never touched the truss rod and it should never be touched unless you are a technician!My favorite guitar is my epiphone acoustic,12 years of gigging and its still fine. 0.2mm to far and youv trashed your sons guitar, Let the neck settle before adjusting it, its brand new so give it 6 months and it wouldv moved by itself, Then see if it still needs adjusting.
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Mr Pig
New Member
- Location
- North Lanarkshire
Thank you all for the advice :0) I'll post pictures of the guitar when it's back together, hopefully!
Sam Kennedy
New Member
- Location
- Newcastle
I've heard slinkies are good 
Rhythm Thief
Legendary Member
- Location
- Ross on Wye
A sixty quid Telecaster should be fine, especially for learning on. Let's face it, electric guitars are only two bits of wood bolted together anyway; you really don't need to spend a fortune on one. I've played for nearly 30 years and I'm quite happy with my cheap plywood Japanese Teiscos and Zentas. I've never needed to set anything up other than the intonation occasionally ... don't start messing about with the truss rod.
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Mr Pig
New Member
- Location
- North Lanarkshire
Rhythm Thief said:
Nearly done, just the tricky bits to do. I still need to get new tuners and strings then just set it up. Looks nice, I'll post a picture.
Perry
Senior Member
- Location
- East London/Essex
Take your guitar and a packet of your new strings to a "recommended" luthier. Get it set-up professionally and it will play at the best it can be.
I play bass so I can't offer you any string advice but learning to play on a guitar that isn't set-up properly can make a big difference to how it feels to the player.
I took a real cheapy bass to a luthier, he changed the nut and bridge (to used ones) but the bass feels and plays so much better.
The bass in my Avatar was £1250, the cheapy bass was £80 ex-display but is now my favourite guitar (I have other basses over 1K too ).
I play bass so I can't offer you any string advice but learning to play on a guitar that isn't set-up properly can make a big difference to how it feels to the player.
I took a real cheapy bass to a luthier, he changed the nut and bridge (to used ones) but the bass feels and plays so much better.
The bass in my Avatar was £1250, the cheapy bass was £80 ex-display but is now my favourite guitar (I have other basses over 1K too ).
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Mr Pig
New Member
- Location
- North Lanarkshire
Perry said:
Firstly, I can't afford to have all his guitars professionally set-up and secondly, I want to learn how to do it myself. I've bought two books on it and watched quite a few videos on line. Most of the adjustments seem simple enough. To be honest, my only concern is the nut, as I don't have nut files, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I spend half my life figuring out ways to do things without the proper tools.
