Nifty, little string change "trick"

[BlueBowman]

I thought I'd share a string change idea I just tried for the first time.

Some of you will be familiar with the somewhat-jangly sound new strings can make on certain guitars. Depending on the guitar, the sound can even verge on "brash," and it can take a day or so of playing to get them to settle down and smooth out. Well, I just took an idea that's common in the nylon world and applied it to my SS acoustic: switch out the wound strings but leave the unwound ones alone.

The unwound b and e strings don't collect dead skin cells and dirt like the wound strings do. I also prefer a warmer treble on my guitars (I typically go up a gauge on the b and e strings).

I slapped on four new Santa Cruz "medium" wound strings to go with the older b and e strings. And I must say, wow, they sound really fantastic. Smooth right from the get-go. Happy guy over here.

Just one more way we can dial the guitar in a useful direction. I had never tried this on a SS acoustic, but I plan on trying it on a few others going forward. I don't think this will work on them all, just on the ones that need a day or two to smooth out from all that new string liveliness.

[B0WIE]

That's my 2nd reason (behind lifespan) that I use the SCGCs  Settings changing in tone really drives me nuts. Especially as a fingerstyle player as my right hand is constantly working to create the right tone. Having these strings sound the same from week to week is invaluable to me. I no longer have those periods where I'm thinking, "This guitar isn't doing it for me anymore." They just sound the same all the time.

[BlueBowman]

That's my 2nd reason (behind lifespan) that I use the SCGCs  Settings changing in tone really drives me nuts. Especially as a fingerstyle player as my right hand is constantly working to create the right tone. Having these strings sound the same from week to week is invaluable to me. I no longer have those periods where I'm thinking, "This guitar isn't doing it for me anymore." They just sound the same all the time.

Right, and each string of the SCGCs sound like they are coming from the same guitar (tonal balance). A big deal for fingerstyle. There's a lot to be said for choosing acoustic steel strings via tension instead of only gauge, as nylon players do. It helps create more consistency from string-to-string. Nice that many acoustic players are wakening to the idea!

[B0WIE]

Right, and each string of the SCGCs sound like they are coming from the same guitar (tonal balance). A big deal for fingerstyle. There's a lot to be said for choosing acoustic steel strings via tension instead of only gauge, as nylon players do. It helps create more consistency from string-to-string. Nice that many acoustic players are wakening to the idea!

I always tell people that the SCGC wound strings behave more like a classical string, but I wasn't entirely sure why. Great point you brought up!. In addition to the round core, I'm sure the equal tension is also giving them classical vibes. Which, for me, is a good thing. It took me years to warm up to acoustic guitars because I always hated the way the strings felt compared to electric or classical. Acoustics feel like they are fighting me a bit. These strings help.

[B0WIE]

 Just a quick heads-up on these strings. They are doing a BOGO this weekend. Apparently, they are sending the code to their email subscribers on Saturday. I just saw this posted on Instagram today.

[BlueBowman]

Just a quick heads-up on these strings. They are doing a BOGO this weekend. Apparently, they are sending the code to their email subscribers on Saturday. I just saw this posted on Instagram today.

Thanks for the heads up! I'm down to only two packs.

[B0WIE]

Thanks for the heads up! I'm down to only two packs.

I'm temped to buy more but I already did that the last two times and I think I have a dozen sets now. 
At the rate I change these things I've got a 4 year supply. Half-price on these is ridiculous though, and I'm such a sucker for a bargain...

[BlueBowman]

I'm temped to buy more but I already did that the last two times and I think I have a dozen sets now. 
At the rate I change these things I've got a 4 year supply. Half-price on these is ridiculous though, and I'm such a sucker for a bargain...

I typically have around 10-15 sets of various string brands at the ready. Use to be that 80% of those were D'addario XS's, but about a month ago I realized those 10-15 sets comprised 80% SCGC strings! I suppose I greatly favor them now (and kinda happened without me being all that conscious of it). Consulting my notes, 7 of my guitars are currently wearing them! Half off is a very welcome turn of events!! 

[Silence Dogood]

I've long enjoyed changing my own strings (it's even somewhat therapeutic for me), and I even enjoy the jangly, brash sound of new strings.  They settle down without me noticing, kind of like looking up suddenly and realizing it's time for a trip to the barber. 

[BlueBowman]

Bowie, I just strung up my second guitar using the same "nifty, little string trick." Same warm (older) trebles combined with fresh SCGC wound strings. Happily, it's the same result as the first guitar. There's something about the warmer high e and b strings that sit so well tonally with the more articulate unwound strings. It really is a tonal balance thing, meaning for what I like, the tone seems more balanced from top to bottom. Of course, my goal is almost always a rounder, more fundamental treble (like a good classical). And by treble, I should point out that I'm mainly talking about notes played up the fingerboard on the b and e strings.

This time it was on my new 000-40R. Man, I really love this guitar. It's opening up in all kinds of great ways. It's very hard not to jump right to the "moon" spruce as being the standout factor here... *to the blackboard, young man*..."a guitar's tone is the sum of its parts," "a guitar's tone is the sum of its parts," "a guitar's tone is the sum of its parts"...

Who knows how long the trebs will sound good, but I'm quite pleased with the sound. 

[BlueBowman]

I've long enjoyed changing my own strings (it's even somewhat therapeutic for me)

I'm with you. I've never seen it as a chore.

I even look forward to the string change on new or new-used (to me) guitars. Gives me a chance to refine the set-up a little closer to my ideal. I still use pretty much basic tools for it all, too. Doesn't require any expensive or fancy tools. I often encourage players to get a handle on the basics of a good set-up. Many luthiers and techs will never be as good as YOU will be for YOUR guitar.

[John in Charm City]

Just a quick comment on the Sant Cruz strings - they are great but I believe they are hex core, not round.  you would never know it by the sound.  No idea what kind of voodoo magic they are using but it works.

John

[B0WIE]

Just a quick comment on the Sant Cruz strings - they are great but I believe they are hex core, not round.  you would never know it by the sound.  No idea what kind of voodoo magic they are using but it works.

John

Could be! I know that Richard Hoover has emphasized that they must be tuned to pitch before trimming, which is a round core thing. But, they very well could use a hex. I believe the core and wrap are both treated before wrapping, which would explain the slinky round core-like behavior, and tendency to unwrap.

[BlueBowman]

I believe they are hexcore, but they don't feel like typical hexcore strings, so in my mind I put them in the RC box. As for why we need to trim them AFTER tuning to pitch, voodoo magic indeed! 

Just got mine ordered. Anyone need the code, PM me.

[Silence Dogood]

I have used the SCGC strings some over the years.  Very good strings. 

As an aside, I went down a very deep rabbit hole with acoustic guitar strings for many years, so much so that it began to distract me from actually playing the guitar.  I have tried to get over this because, while interesting, I found it ultimately unhelpful, and even somewhat obsessive. 

I've gone back to playing plain old S.I.T. acoustic strings and trying to not think about them.  YMMV.

[BlueBowman]

I have used the SCGC strings some over the years.  Very good strings. 

As an aside, I went down a very deep rabbit hole with acoustic guitar strings for many years, so much so that it began to distract me from actually playing the guitar.  I have tried to get over this because, while interesting, I found it ultimately unhelpful, and even somewhat obsessive. 

I've gone back to playing plain old S.I.T. acoustic strings and trying to not think about them.  YMMV.

Spending a lot of time of online, it's easy to fall victim to this. Endless string threads abound! I think it's all in how you use the information. Grab the good bits, leave the rest, and don't rely on anything but YOUR judgment 

[Rockysdad]

Spending a lot of time of online, it's easy to fall victim to this. Endless string threads abound! I think it's all in how you use the information. Grab the good bits, leave the rest, and don't rely on anything but YOUR judgment 

How does one differentiate the good from the bad info?

[BlueBowman]

How does one differentiate the good from the bad info?

For sure, Herman! I feel for the newbies, but experience will help shape judgment. And when in doubt, "if it sounds good, it is good." That advice has never failed me! 

[B0WIE]

Everyone has to find their own way. For me, reading about guitars makes me excited about playing guitar. In fact, if I'm not tinkering or reading about guitars I'm probably not playing daily. I've tailored my YouTube feed so that every day I'm seeing things that keep me focused on what matters to me (nutrition, music, exercise, etc). Otherwise, I'm inclined to constantly take on new hobbies and interests. It's a serious problem for me.

I do respect that some have limited time to devote to guitar and that can quickly turn into reading rather than playing. I understand how the research rabbit hole can be a dangerous thing.