Going Back to a Bare G String

An earlier post talked about selecting the wound G (third) string in a string set that offers a choice of wound or non-wound (bare) G strings.  I just switched to the bare, non-wound G string in the Dean Markley 2505 Nickel Steel electric guitar strings on a Les Paul, after giving the wound string a try. I liked the way wound G string played, for a while; but now I’m glad I switched back to the regular bare G string.  

 I had to reverse the guitar set up adjustments I made for the wound string. The intonation had to be adjusted to suit the wound strings, which meant the third string saddle had to be moved forward a bit, instead of being nearly all the way aft.  Also, the pole piece screw for the third string (G string) had been raised to better detect the wound string, and match it’s volume to that of the other strings. After putting on the bare string, I made both adjustments with a flat tipped screwdriver, in just a few minutes. The bare string has a stronger magnetic signature than the wound string, so I had to turn the neck pickup’s pole piece screw in one and a half turn, to reduce the bare string’s volume relative to the other strings.  As for intonation, obviously the bridge saddle had to be set back (moved aft) to bring the 12th fret first harmonic and fretted pitches together.  Both adjustments were no trouble, and the new bare string now plays in harmony with the other five.

Overall, the choice of using the bare or wound G string depends on how you want to play and sound, and to some extent on the type of guitar.  The wound string is okay for chords and strumming, but it sounds a little weak for leads.  The bare string seems to have no deficiencies.  It works for chords and leads, and is excellent for bends.  The guitar body type also matters.  I think solid body guitars deserve the bare string, since solid bodies tend to reflect individual notes and tones back to the strings they came from.  So you can bend a single note and hold it a long time on a solid body. It’s not quite the same with a hollow body guitar, which mix the string vibrations up.  They sound great for what they do, but if you want to hear those single notes clearly, you need a solid body.  The wound string is fine on hollow body and semi-hollow guitars, where you can get the acoustic response of the guitar top to add some woody overtones and warmth.

 Conclusion:  When given a choice of a wound or bare third (G) string, I’d choose the wound string for a hollow body guitar and the bare string for a solid body or a semi-hollow.  These string choices seem to be consistent with the character and sound that comes naturally out of these types of guitars.

That’s my opinion.  Let me know what you think.

Rancher 110

To see Dean Markley and other brands of electric guitar strings, click on Electric Guitar Strings at www.guitarstringdepot.com.

INEXPENSIVE GUITAR STRINGS FROM CHINA

I recently tried a set of Famous 351 Nickel Electric 10″s, just to see what they are all about.  What caught my attention was their super low price, and the fact that each pack contains a free guitar pick.  I just had to see if they are in good.  I had heard they were made in China, which seems to be the way of a lot of things these days; and I would be open minded and give them an objective evaluation.  I put them on a Les Paul with super good pickups and great body resonance, so the guitar would either bring out their strengths or weaknesses.

SPECIMEN :  Famous 351 10″s, with string diameters:  10 – 13 – 17 – 26 – 36 – 46  (thousandths of an inch).  The first three are bare, and the big three are round wound.

The packaging is rather snazzy, with bright colors and lots of printed information.  Right there on the back side, under the bar code, it says “Made in P. R. C.”  It also gives the strings diameter data and looks pretty good for an inexpensive set of strings.   On opening the pack, I found each individual string was sealed in a separate clear plastic envelope, with the string identifications on each envelope.   Examining each string, I found them to look just fine.  Each string was exceptionally clean and shiny, free of any visible defects or contaminants.  The ball end twists were all tight and well done.  So far, I ‘m impressed.  They look pretty good; now let’s see how they play.

When I put them on and tuned them up, I noticed they had a lot more “stretch” to them than my familiar American brands.  They didn’t stay in tune very long, and eventually settled in and stopped stretching on day two.  Their tone was a little thin, especially on the wound strings.  Even though they sounded tinny, every string of the set sounded that way; so they harmonized with each other.  Yes, I could adjust my amp to round out the tone, and ended up doing that, though it took higher setting on the bass and mid range knobs.

Though I can’t quantify it scientifically, they seem to have  weaker magnetic properties than my favorite US made strings.  I found myself wanting a stronger bass quality, though the bare treble strings sounded about like any other.   After a week, I decided that was enough.  I took them off and put on a set of Dean Markleys….which brought everything back to normal and really emphasized how weak the Famous 351′s sound.

CONCLUSION:  Their sound is weak and shallow, requiring a lot compensation at the amp.  They look good and wear well, are really inexpensive; but I prefer the robust sound of modern American made strings.   The best part about them is the free tortoise shell pick that comes in the pack.  It’s a keeper.

HOWEVER!.….If you have a need for “inexpensive” strings and want a free guitar pick, then I’d recommend Famous 351′s.  Keep in mind, you’ll get exactly what you pay for.  That’s probably why they only cost $3.15 a set.   But if you go through strings like mad, and can live with mediocre tone and performance, then Famous 351′s are for you.  They would be great as “student strings”, until the student is ready to move up to the real thing.

WHERE TO GET THEM:  Famous 351 Electric Guitar Strings at Guitar String Depot.

PRICE:   $3.15 per set.…including a free guitar pick.   Two gauges: 9′s  and 10′s.

That’s just my opinion.

Rancher 110