Strings and picks?

Kerouac said:
And I know I get a lot of crap for it, but I *hate* the sound of new strings. I don't have acid sweat and I wipe my strings down after playing so they don't accumulate gunk. Strings always sound better to me once they're worn in.
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I don't like the sound of brand-new strings and usually try to change them at least a week ahead of a gig. I don't let them get too bad, but I don't change them as often as many do.
 
I prefer the sound of a set of strings after they are worn in for a few days.
 
fused said:
I use a string tension calculator to get the string gauges to within a pound of each other....
THEN I use a Dadario string spreadsheet, their string information, tons of it...

Then I decide if I want to go even tension or, in some cases, increase by a pound for each string, high E to low E for that heavy bottom feel.

The main goal is to have an even migration .... Not have a string in the middle that is way higher or lower than the rest of the set, like 90% of off the shelf sets do.
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That's pretty cool. I might have to give it a go.
 
I don't pay attention to brands. To me they are pretty much all the same. So I just buy whatever 10-46 strings that are on sale.

For picks, I use the heaviest that I can get. I've been known to use a nickel or a quarter in a pinch.
 
angry tele said:
Yes some last longer than others but not so much you can go months without changing them.
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I have three guitars with the same set that have been on there for over a year. DR silver stars are coated strings that will make your instrument sound different than cheap strings and the coating doesn't come off like elixirs and get all fuzzy. They aren't that expensive either and hold their tone.

Give them a try once and see the difference.
 
The Crusher said:
I have three guitars with the same set that have been on there for over a year. DR silver stars are coated strings that will make your instrument sound different than cheap strings and the coating doesn't come off like elixirs and get all fuzzy. They aren't that expensive either and hold their tone.

Give them a try once and see the difference.
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I was gonna post a thread asking about coated strings. I've never used them before and was curious what people's experience with them are. I hate to waste 10 or 15 bucks on something if I'm gonna rip them right off. I'll see if the local shop has those.
 
My go-to for years has been Fender "heavy" picks and D'addadario 12-52 strings.

I occasionally use flatwounds of a similar gauge, too.
 
I've been using DR Tite Fit's on my Strat for a few years now and I really like them. They last like crazy. I don't practice nearly as much as I should, and can get at least 3-4 months out of a set... IF I wipe 'em down after playing and add a spray of Fret Ease. One thing I notice is that they tend to be harder to bend after awhile. The flip side of that is it seems they stay in tune better at the same time. Don't know why.

I tried Ernie Ball's and thought they stunk worse than lobster bait. D'Addarios were a bit better, but not by much. I could tell when those were getting old, they would get pitted & rough after a short time. Fender Bullets sounded okay IIRC if they were new. Not so much if I played them in humid weather.


For picks, I like heavies. I've also been known to use ones made from .062 fiberglass laminate scraps from work. Very stiff. A single pick out of that stuff can last for at least 6-8 months of rough use. Pick slides sound fantastic... clean and they ring out.
 
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