I'm trying to find out what types of strings would be sutable for Irish guitar playing. I am really a fiddle player, so I have no idea if the strings make that big of a differance with guitars.
I'd interested in knowing people's thoughts on this as well. I know that Doyle uses a somewhat heavy set when he plays but maybe thats not typical of most rhythm players.
Doyle says he uses medium guage (13-56) but replaces the 56 guage string with a bass string (70 guage) when he's performing. But note that his guitars are set up to take that heavy string. On most guitars, a 70 guage would probably do serious damage to the bridge in short order.
I use medium bronze strings, and sometimes replace the 56 with a 59 to get a little more bass. My impression from reading these boards is that there is a fair amount of variety in the types of strings people use.
None of which will really make you heard at any session on March 17th of next week, btw.
The strings must first suit the guitar.
I personally use the mediums (13-56) whether playing in DADGAD or Dropped D.
As far as make of string in case that was what you were wondering, I think that is more a question of taste and again one brand might sound better on one guitar than another.
I prefer the cheap Martin SP set 12-16-25-32-42-54($5 USD). However, if you are new to guitar playing heavier strings will fatigue your left hand quickly. I'd start out with a light set (11-15-23-32-42-52) for now. After a while then move up to a heavier set.
The heavy bass shouldn't do too much damage to an ordinary guitar as long as you don't bring it up to E, or at least not for very long. According to one of several string tension calculators available on this world wide web thingie (http://www.pacificsites.net/~dog/StringTensionApplet.html) the tension for a .070" string at D is 34 pounds, which is a bit above the other wound strings but not by a lot. It's down to 27 pounds at C, which is actually going to be on the low side, and thus pretty quiet. Since most guitars aren't built to really punch the low notes, getting over tension on that bottom string is a way to drive the bass out a bit harder. I used to use a .065 or so, that worked pretty well, but if you're spending a lot of time in C and not a lot of time in E, it's worth trying to find a .070, just to see if you like it.
(in passing, Donough is as right as right can be, the strings must suit the guitar. One guitar will sing where another will groan with the same set of strings.)
Finding the right string preference/optimum gauge for your personal guitar will take some experimentation. I don't care for the tone of my D-15 when I use all mediums, so I use a mixed medium/light set. But all mediums sound fine on my old Sigma (both guitars in DADGAD).
Strings for Rhythm Guitars
Strings for Rhythm Guitars
I'm trying to find out what types of strings would be sutable for Irish guitar playing. I am really a fiddle player, so I have no idea if the strings make that big of a differance with guitars.
thanks a bunch
Reaghan
# Posted on March 9th 2008 by reaghan
Re: Strings for Rhythm Guitars
I'd interested in knowing people's thoughts on this as well. I know that Doyle uses a somewhat heavy set when he plays but maybe thats not typical of most rhythm players.
# Posted on March 9th 2008 by JD-DHguitar
Re: Strings for Rhythm Guitars
Doyle says he uses medium guage (13-56) but replaces the 56 guage string with a bass string (70 guage) when he's performing. But note that his guitars are set up to take that heavy string. On most guitars, a 70 guage would probably do serious damage to the bridge in short order.
I use medium bronze strings, and sometimes replace the 56 with a 59 to get a little more bass. My impression from reading these boards is that there is a fair amount of variety in the types of strings people use.
None of which will really make you heard at any session on March 17th of next week, btw.
# Posted on March 10th 2008 by ayedbl
Re: Strings for Rhythm Guitars
The strings must first suit the guitar.
I personally use the mediums (13-56) whether playing in DADGAD or Dropped D.
As far as make of string in case that was what you were wondering, I think that is more a question of taste and again one brand might sound better on one guitar than another.
# Posted on March 10th 2008 by Donough
Re: Strings for Rhythm Guitars
I prefer the cheap Martin SP set 12-16-25-32-42-54($5 USD). However, if you are new to guitar playing heavier strings will fatigue your left hand quickly. I'd start out with a light set (11-15-23-32-42-52) for now. After a while then move up to a heavier set.
# Posted on March 10th 2008 by Raymond G
Re: Strings for Rhythm Guitars
The heavy bass shouldn't do too much damage to an ordinary guitar as long as you don't bring it up to E, or at least not for very long. According to one of several string tension calculators available on this world wide web thingie (http://www.pacificsites.net/~dog/StringTensionApplet.html) the tension for a .070" string at D is 34 pounds, which is a bit above the other wound strings but not by a lot. It's down to 27 pounds at C, which is actually going to be on the low side, and thus pretty quiet. Since most guitars aren't built to really punch the low notes, getting over tension on that bottom string is a way to drive the bass out a bit harder. I used to use a .065 or so, that worked pretty well, but if you're spending a lot of time in C and not a lot of time in E, it's worth trying to find a .070, just to see if you like it.
(in passing, Donough is as right as right can be, the strings must suit the guitar. One guitar will sing where another will groan with the same set of strings.)
# Posted on March 10th 2008 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Strings for Rhythm Guitars
I use D'Addario EJ16's, Gauges: 12-16-24-32-42-53. Inexpensive, I pay $4.50 a set when I buy a box of ten sets.
Peace,
Ed
# Posted on March 10th 2008 by ejsant
Re: Strings for Rhythm Guitars
Finding the right string preference/optimum gauge for your personal guitar will take some experimentation. I don't care for the tone of my D-15 when I use all mediums, so I use a mixed medium/light set. But all mediums sound fine on my old Sigma (both guitars in DADGAD).
# Posted on March 11th 2008 by dr_funkenstein
Re: Strings for Rhythm Guitars
Sorry all this talk about gauges and tensions are a bit over my head. Could someone explain???
# Posted on March 13th 2008 by reaghan