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February 2002
Posts: 613
Location: Zion, Illinois | I want to try some different strings for my Ovations (mostly my Custom Elite). I did a search on strings and found a thread about which strings people like. One sounded very interesting, it was about titanium string from rohrtech.com.
They sounded interesting, but do they work on an Ovation. They use some sort of sheathed-end design (see their web page) and they say never to cut this off until the guitar is strung.
Has anyone tried these? Does the sheathed-end fit through the bridge of an Ovation?
TIA
Bradley |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | I emailed the company that makes the Titanium strings for some info. They cost around $18 a set. Apart from the fact that they allegedly last longer they are a low-tension design. I suggested to them that low-tension strings while aiding playability will have an adverse effect on tone & volume & they agreed - sort of. They said that a standard-tension string is in development. They politely refused my request for a free set for evaluation. Tight-wads. |
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May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | inexpensive Light Phosphorous Bronze strings (Fender or Martin)sound great on my Legend, and my Fender. I used to use Nickel/silk wound, but they are a little too mellow for me anymore.
Norse(no longer mellow)man1 |
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April 2002
Posts: 196
Location: Shelton, Washington, USA | You say you want to try some different strings... which leads to the questions.... What are you using now? Are you trying different strings for the sake of trying different strings, or do you feel there is something missing from the sound of the strings you presently use? |
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March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | As a side note, a lot of people like light gauge strings for the ease of play. I recently went back, after several years of lights, to medium gauge strings on my Elite. I was amazed at how much more tone and volume I got out of the guitar. |
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Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Big strings = big sound, but they're harder to play. No pain, no gain.
Paul |
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Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | It only took a couple of days to get re adusted to the heavier strings and the payoff was well worth it. I don't believe in pain. It hurts too much. |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | The Adamas 1818 set was always recommended for them, used to use it in production too. Now the equlivent D'Addario set would do fine. Or go up to medium like these real men here have.
Actually (NOT)I've gone to heavy guage. Makes you sound good when you talk about bending the high E three tones
Seriously, I have thought about going to mediums for the Nationals but I'm too lazy to get to a store. Hopefully I'll be retired in a few weeks and have more time to devote to these things. The Ovation long necks, and baritone Nationals could be used with heavy (not foolin this time) strings and tuned down to D or C or whatever. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | On guitars I sell I usually string them with lights my personal guitars have meds I like adamas strings and martin but I am not too into string brands |
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May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | I like the sound of medium strings, but due to worries about warping/bowing (especially with my already warped/bowed Legend), I use light. I also use ultralights on my 12 string for the same concerns.
Norse(or is the tension difference between light/medium exagerrated?)man1
[ June 13, 2002: Message edited by: Norseman1 ] |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Is it "warped", or is it "bowed"?
hint: If you "sight" down the side of the neck, and the neck/string(s) relationship slightly mimics an archery "bow", then.....it's....... |
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April 2002
Posts: 202
Location: Orlando, Florida | For an all around GREAT string, try a set of GHS Bright Bronze (Light Guage - BB30) strings. They sound absolutely beautiful on an Ovation. As far as going to a medium gauge, I would have to disagree with a lot of what was said. I tried it, and there was really not a lot of gain in tone. Give the GHS Bright Bronze a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed. They last a long time between changes as well without losing much tone. |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | It's basic physics, the top is a vibrating membrane & the strings are it's actuator. Heavier strings will move the top more efficiently than light strings, and consequently produce more volume. Whether you prefer the "tone" of heavier Vs. lighter strings is a different issue altogether.
Paul
[ June 17, 2002: Message edited by: Paul Templeman ] |
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May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | As a bluegrass acoustic player I'll say there is a big difference in the volume of string gauges, especially if you want to be heard over banjos and fiddles. I've always used the heaviest gauge on the bass strings and sometimes medium on the trebles on a guitar. I usually play mandolin and can get along with mediums as the instrument can be heard because of it's high register and double strings. I had an acoustic electric guitar and it, to me, was a dilemma. I couldn't get good electric sound with heavy strings, so the best compromise was mediums, fair acoustic volume and clean amped sound, but I used it for other than bluegrass and my son played it mostly anyway. Choose strings that fit your music.
Bailey |
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Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Another thing that is relevant here and I haven't seen discussed on the board, is picks. They are also very determinent of tone and volume. I use Dunlop 1mm on all my acoustics, and something lighter on electric. I have even experimented with a stone pick when I get tired of the banjo player getting too loud as they all do. (What's the difference between a banjo and an onion? nobody cries when they cut up a banjo.)
Picks are as relevant to the sound as strings.
Bailey |
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May 2002
Posts: 651
Location: Australia | Paul and Bailey I agree with both of you.
As far as strings go I feel you need at least 12's to get the top really moving.It also allows you to play harder without as much string buzz.
I find 12's pretty easy to play particularly on an Ovation as they setup so well.
I think picks are the most undervalued part of a guitarist's arsenal.They have a huge effect on your tone. |
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Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | What's the difference between a banjo & a trampoline? You remove your shoes when you jump on a trampoline.
The pick issue is valid & the same basic laws of physics apply, the stiffer the pick, the less energy is lost when it strikes the string, therefore volume is produced more efficiently. But, pick stiffness & pick material have an effect on tone. I personaly prefer genuine tortoisehell picks, but they're illegal now and difficult to find. I use a 2mm Dunlop Tortex as a substitute on the rare occasions I use a pick
Paul
[ June 18, 2002: Message edited by: Paul Templeman ] |
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Posts: 7237
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I have a few of the original Adamas graphite picks. They are very nice to play with. I also have a stone, but it's a little too big for me. I don't know how folks play even an electric with those really paper-thin picks. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Picks are an interesting item. Like with strings, I used medium gauge picks for a long time, with 6 string, 12 string, and nylon string. Then I went to a thin pick. Tried it for a few months, didin't like the thin sound, and tried to go back to mediums and found that I couldn't get a clean strumming sound. Ended up using thin picks for a couple of years before finally making the jump back to mediums. It took a month to start sounding and feeling normal again. Who woulda guessed it would be so much trouble?
I always used red Fender medium picks. The red dye, sonically, improved the sound. Also made them easier to find when the kids flicked them into the carpet. |
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June 2002
Posts: 123
Location: Pensacola,FL | Speaking of picks. Has anyone out there tried the "metal mesh" picks? I saw them in a catalog (damned if I can remember which one now) they were of metal with a fine pattern of holes in them
{faster pickin' due to areodynamics :rolleyes: ).Also saw something called a "Strummer" (in Elderly I think) had seven "fins" and was supposed to make your 6 string sound like a 12 [sorta] ;) . |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I know I'll probably be the subject of a lot of moans & groans, but I've always preferred to (and still do) play with light gauge strings and thin picks.
I know, I know, I know!!! - "whimpy".
I've been hearing it for years.
But I tend to strum with a very "percussive" style and I like that "slap" sound of the pick on the strings on certain songs.
Lately, I've been using the red Dunlop "Tortex" .5mm picks that are kinda shaped like a "shark's tooth". I wish they just made 'em a LITTLE bit bigger, though. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I have used either Fender heavy or xtra heavy picks for years. I alter the sound by how hard I hold the pick. I can make it seem like I am usiing a lite pick etc.
As for strings any brand med gauge is fine. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Lately I've gone back to medium picks (from heavy fenders). There is a store in town that has MOTS picks in medium so I've been into them. Like the look. |
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Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Cliffd
I don't think anybody should critisize a persons choice or preferences of musical items unless they are paying them to perform. That's why it is called playing, not working.
Bailey |
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Looking for the best strings for my guitar