Silly Moustache's string prefernces
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- Опубліковано 11 чер 2019
- Hi, with a couple of threads on the AGF and elsewhere, I thought it might be useful to share my preferences and the reasons why.
Please not that I am primarily a bluegrass style player, and not a gentle finger stylist - I can and do play (my version) but it isn't my main style.
I find that despite my growing hand/finger issues, I do "need" some tension and resistance in my strings to feel right for me.
I welcome opinions and comments so by all means let me know what you think?
I forgot to mention that I keep my strings in an airtight "CD" storage box along with two large bags of dehumidifying crystals and a hygrometer which assures me that the RH in the box is consistently lower than 20%.
To recap:
* Dreadnoughts, jumbo, and National : D'addario EJ17 (PB)
* 000 and smaller : EJ16 (PB)
* 12 string: D'addario EJ37- PB (Martin) and Martin (bronze) M190 on Harmony (Both are 12/12-54/30 tuned down one tone (D to d)
* Archtop guitars - D'addario Nickel - EJ22 (56-13) or New Balance NB1256
* Dobro Jim Dunlop Resonator PB (56, 46, 36, 28 & 18/18) or D'addario EJ42
* Mandolin Jim Dunlop Nickel 11-40) (or D'addario)
Solid headstock, 25-inch scale or less: Americana GHS light (0.011 or 0.012 ) gauge or D'Addario XS light. Greater than 25-inch scale, medium Americana GHS or the D'Addario XS mix 1 thru 4 light, 5 & 6 medium. Santa Cruz and Iris Guitars get Santa Cruz strings. Slotted head: almost all are now GHS Americana light Guage because I can see to string them now. I use Tommy Emmanuel Martin lights on one Martin 000-18 VTS. THANKS Andy. 5 years ago, it was different.
Hi, it really is a personal choice, and nothing is wrong/right. Thanks as always, Andy
It is hard to argue with experience and wisdom!
Ah, you can argue all you like. I can only speak from my experience though. thanks for watching.
@@SillyMoustache Andy,do you have any thoughts on Eastman and Bourgois collaboration?
have to say you're looking really well.Love to hear you tackle Randall Collins a song done by the bluegrass giant Norman Blake.
Ya think so ? Thank you! I'll have a look at RC.
Thanks very informative ✌🏼
Glad to be of service !
I like the DR Veritas 11-50. Gorgeous, slinky feeling strings that don’t put undue stress on the guitar top.
Martin 000-28
Eastman AC522
Hi, thanks for your comment but I couldn't use such light strings.
I use A'ddario medium strings on my guitar and they work quite well for me.
I learned something this week, which I am ecstatic about. For years, I have been trying to play the Bm on my guitar, but my fingers would just not cooperate to go in the proper formation on my fretboard. Needless to say, I always avoided playing songs with the Bm in them, so I wouldn't trip up playing them in public. However, much to my surprise, this week I found my guitar sliding forwards off my knees, so I got a short stool and put my right foot up on that to keep my guitar from falling to the floor. While thumbing through my song pages, I came across one I really like but haven't played it because of the Bm in it. I thought I would try it regardless. Much to my delight, I was able to play the Bm effortlessly, while my foot was on the stool. I guess it made enough of a difference for my hand positioning on the strings. I am thrilled that I came by this "help" by a fluke. So, I pulled out a few more of my songs with a Bm in them and Voila, it was no problem for my fingers to go in the appropriate places on the fretboard. An old dog can learn new tricks after all, even if it's a fluke...
Hi Angie, my congratulations !
I have also found a foot stool useful, in my case since I bought a small-bodied guitar. You might also try a slightly lower seat.
I am very envious, not just because you have some very very lovely guitars but you don’t have toxic fingers. I find uncoated strings last a few days and then they are dead, deceased etc.
I also find 12’s too light and largely because of this have not kept any guitars smaller than dread/jumbo..
I enjoy your videos. You make the playing and singing look and sound effortless. After 40+ plus years of trying to do this myself I know it is anything but.
Hi Reg, Thanks for your kind comments! I didn't spend much on guitars until my '50s - as I was caring for my Dad with alzheimers and had an illness that made playing impossible from '83 to '93. My old D35 was mostly all I had. I didn't buy much before my '50s, and most via eBay; with my 12 fret fetish, I was often the only person to bid.
Thanks also for your kind comment about my singing/playing. Believe me, it isn't effortless and my old fingers and the post cancer voice has been challenging. In fact I have to make numerous "takes" to achieve my mediocre videos, but its all worth while when I get nice comments like yours.
I guess I've been playing guitar for about 40 years in total too. Fortunately playing music isn't a competition, so we can still enjoy whatever we can manage. Looking forward to seeing your videos! (there's a challenge!) best wishes, Ol' Andy.
@@SillyMoustache Your videos are not mediocre. They show heart and the care you put into what you are sharing.
Good stuff, SM.
I like to try brands & formulations but generally go back to D'Addario PBs. Lately, though, their nickel bronze sets have added a little something to both the 6- and 12-string guitars. They cost a bit more, as you say, and they are not good-looking, but I do recommend that people try them.
Edit: for heavier gauges, Newtone strings deserve a look.
Hi Mark, I tend to agree, D'addarios seem to suit my dreads and jumbo best, but Martins have a place on my smaller guitars as well. I have decided that the NB strings are best for my archtops, and I intend to try a set of light gauge NBs on my Waterloo WL12 shortly.
that is a big moustache
It's not hat the moustache is big, it's just that I got smaller.
Andy
Have you tried the Martin Tommy Emmanuel light (they only come in light gauge) gauge strings on your smaller guitars? I also use D'addario Medium guage on my Dreads..take care!
Thanks for the recommendation.
Thank you for sharing the information. Do you still take photos?
Hi Sannojo, Thanks for watching - an interesting question. The short answer is no - I gave up when I left the corporate world and my darkroom. However, I have a large portfolio of prints that I used for competition and for lectures, and I'm wondering if I could re photograph my prints and my lecture comments. Thanks for your interest.
@@SillyMoustache I used to take photos too. Just a job. I follow a lot of UK photographers on YT who specialize in landscapes, pinhole and street photos.
Thank you for sharing your insight on the topic. I do have a question. What do you do with discarded strings? Is there any way you recycle them or dispose of them in a way where they can be reused? Hope you are well. All the best.
Hi Jerrel, a good question without a great answer from me. there is one option, for sending them to a third world country, but the process for mailing themfrom the UK is prohibitive. Sadly I threw a showbox full into metals recycling a few months ago. seems such a waste.
@@SillyMoustache I see... Should I be setting aside my old strings and sending them into metal recycling instead of throwing them into the rubbish?
@@SillyMoustache also, I've heard of musicians boiling bass strings in a pot of water to "revitalise" the strings to get more use out of them. I've heard it is worth it since bass strings are quite expensive. For guitar strings, it depends on whether or not you feel like going through the trouble since those strings are a much lower price to replace Have you any insight on the topic? I just got my mandocello strings delivered and considering the rarity and cost, I think I may be doing just that to extend the lifespan of these.
Hey, long time no see! It’s good to know what strings you’re using because I find your sound very special. I also very liked 2 previous tune-videos where you played slow-down version of Mr Bojangles and You don’t have to know the words. And I’ve got a little question to you about picking technique. Lately I found a video on UA-cam called “The surprising mechanics of edge picking” and I would like to hear something from you about that. Thanks!
Hi Ilia, I've just watched (most of) hat video. I play almost entirely with Blue Chip TAD-50 large triangles 1.25 m/m I "almost" always play hitting the strings with the "leading edge. There is a subtle difference, and I remember once being asked about how I swiveled my pick for certain effects, but I don't think I do that much now - so leading edge - hence the importance of a good bevel. For me playing is mostly muscle memory, I really don't think about the mechanics, of what is happening down there, I'm mostly concentrating on trying to remember the lyrics and the progression. Thanks for watching my videos.
Hi again Illia, This morning I was rehearsing a solo spot I'll be doing tonight, and this afternoon I was rehearsing with "the boys". and thought about angling my pick for effect - yes I can do it, and tried it, essentially reversing the hitting angle to "negative rake" gives a little more treble sound, but as my guitars have all the treble I need, I guess it is a habit I've kinda lost.
Silly Moustache thanks, I was going to try something from that video but now I have to restring my guitar and have a problem with that. My guitar tuning machines? (I believe they’re called like that) seem to bulge out and a bit higher from the guitar’s head and literally have no idea how to fix that. It causes some buzzy sound with my 6th string. Have you experienced something similar?
Ilia, the tuning machines (correct term) often have a circular "bushing" , or ferrule (translate these words) which surround the central part (capstan - the part that stick up which you wind the string onto).
These bushings/ferrules can rise up for some reason, but may be pushed back usually with finger pressure, or with very light, careful tapping with a small hammer.
If they have become loose, it may be that the holes in the headstock are worn. Sometimes a smal piece of paer wrapped around the busing, ten replaced may be enough to tighten the bushings in the hole.
See ua-cam.com/video/T0qWRi-tMBE/v-deo.html
I hope that may help - probably a thin wrap of paper should be enough. Best, Andy
Silly Moustache Okay I will try. Thanks for helping.
Hi Silly M, Have you tried Straight Up Strings? I have been using them off and on for a while and compared to Santa Cruz which are very similar they are better valued for money. Some say they don't last long. They are round core, any thoughts on the hex vs round core?
Hi, no I haven't tried them, nor Santa Cruz strings. I have tried Newtone round core strings in the past, but they are self defeating for me as I like normally tensioned strings. I use Daddario, and Martin uncoated phosphor bronze strings - mediums and lights. They work fine and last well. Thanks for your interest.
I tried the D'addario NB on my WL-12 mahogany and I like them. I have a set of JP all nickle to try at some point. Do you find the 12-fret need a bit higher tension in general than 14-fret (so as not to buzz) or am I just being delusional? ;) When are you going to tackle 'the perfect capo' ? (I'm joking about that.) People tend to get too serious and would rather trust other's opinions rather than their own ears. I love your rationale. Many years back I was told that the modern 12 strings were built to be at full tension and not to tune it down. I have mixed feelings about.
Hi Jeffrey, 12 frets vs14 frets ...tension ? No I don't think so, my "need" for string tension is more about my heavy handed bluegrass background.
Capos ? - Since the '80s (?) I've just used the basic Shubb C1 capos - they do the job, and haven't experimented with the others. When 12 strings are discussed many folk refer to the old guild super jumbo sizes, and the Martin and Harmony 12 fretters were FAMOUS for need neck resents, and both of mine had fortunately been done before I bought them. I have calculated that my "medium" 12/12 - 54/30 strings tuned down a tone are pretty much the same as the lighter gauges at normal tuning - need to be "watched" though! Thanks for watching!