New strings

I replaced the old strings this past weekend. The sound is new and bright once again. I tried a new size this time, MED. I have always used the Dean Markley Blue Steel strings, REG size. I found a set of MED’s on sale so I got them. Here are the sizes:

REG .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
MED .011, .013, .018/.020w, .030, .042, .052

There doesn’t seem like much difference, but these new strings might have been better labeled cables, like phone cables. The set comes with a wound .020 and a regular .018 for the G string; I opted for the wound one and didn’t like it much. The MED set has amazing sustain. Sometimes I get a little aggressive and push to hard and it gets a little sharp when using the smaller strings, but not these babies. One problem is the nut is not cut out properly to accept the .052 low E. A guy I play with suggested stepping down a size from the REG’s and pressing a little lighter. Sure makes it easier on the fingers. He uses Gibson Super Extra Ultra Mini Wimpy Lights (they look more like hairs to me). When I went to the local guitar shop today at lunch they said they didn’t carry the Dean Markley strings anymore. They do have the Ernie Ball Slinky line. I bought some Hybrid Slinky strings.

Hybrid Slinky .009, .011, .016, .026, .036, .046

When I bought the guitar the guy put Ernie Ball strings on it. I thought the EB’s were not quiet as polished as the Markley’s, kind of like playing barbed wire. Hopefully it was just that one set I had that was a little rough. The top three are the same size as the REG that I have been using, but the bottom three are slightly smaller. I think I’ll still get fifth’s and blues style shuffles as good as the REG, and the smaller one’s will be good for practicing on bending some lead riffs. I plan to put them on tonight and let you know how it goes. Drat I did change the intonation for the large strings and the low E is way out because of not fitting into the nut. Oh well I got all night.