Sixth string wound or plain?

Niels Andrews · From: Salinas, California, USA

My Millennium came with a wound sixth string which is how Reece set it up, but I notice most string sets you purchase have a plain 6th. Can anybody shine some light on this?
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Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Personal preference. I do believe that most of the players do use a plain string. But, many also use the wound string. The reason I see the most is for tuning stability is better with a wound string. I have tried them over the years and didn't find them any more stable than a plain. Some like the sound of a wound better than a plain. I happen not to. And some guitars won't lower a wound 6th to F# that some of us have on their guitars.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I prefer the tone and the stability of the wound. My Zum can JUST drop to F#, but it's a mighty throw.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

I prefer wound but I do not lower my 6th string.
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Bob

Niels Andrews · From: Salinas, California, USA

Bob, do you not use that string for a half step raise?
_________________
Die with Memories. Not Dreams.
Good Stuff like Zum S-12, Wolfe Resoport
MSA SS-12, Telonics Combo.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

My .022 plain I use stays pretty stable. Never have to tr-tune during a gig (except before the gig starts).
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting.

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

I'm a beginner and I have a wound 6th on my ancient pull-release No-Name steel, simply because that's what was on it when I acquired it, I like it, I don't lower it, and I haven't been tempted to try a plain one.
I like how when you play on the bottom five strings you get a distinct bass tone that contrasts with the upper strings - and then I've read opinions that a plain string blends better (i.e. contrast not desired) - so clearly it's down to what sounds you're trying to achieve.
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Ron Pruter · From: Arizona, USA

Do to the thinner core, you may find a lower output with a wound. A wound also helps reduce the ill effects of cabinet drop on that string. You will have to make some adjustments if you exchange one type for the other.
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Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112.

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

Growl - that's the word!
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs

Niels Andrews · From: Salinas, California, USA

Hey Richard,
I was thinking about that lowering of the sixth string on E9. Do you just use it to get another minor on those grips or for a flat 3rd playing melodies?
_________________
Die with Memories. Not Dreams.
Good Stuff like Zum S-12, Wolfe Resoport
MSA SS-12, Telonics Combo.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

If I take it to G, it's usually as 7 to A. I usually use it as a bend to F#.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I lower my 6th string a full tone (G# to F#) with a half tone split with the "B" pedal.

Along with the minor on the half tone drop, that can also be a "minor 9th" that I use on some old rock songs. e.g. strings 4, 5, 6(1/2 tone lower) is the same as a minor ninth chord on a guitar fretting the E,B,G strings - or at the fifth fret it would be a D minor Ninth (some just call it a Ninth chord).

Lowering a full tone and lowering the E string(s) produces a "5" chord. e.g. at the 5th fret open is A, lowering the E's to Eb and the 6th string a full tone produces an E chord. Thus you can get the steel 5 to 1 ending lick from the open 1 chord position without moving the bar.

Georg Sørtun · From: Mandal, Agder, Norway

I switched from plain to wound 6th some 20 years ago as I started using straight steel picks (and steel thumb pick). Plain 6th did not sound "in place" as I developed my new picking style with steel picks, while a wound 6th sounded just right. Still do, so I use wound 6th on all my PSGs for tone.

Lovering a wound 6th a full note has not been a big problem on any of my steels, but how easy it is to get full throw (and a little more for split-tuning) on specific PSG brands, varies slightly with string-brand - some string-brands have less "give" on a wound 6th than others.

Regarding stability / detuning: on my 2 Dekley (S10 & D10) plain or wound 6th doesn't matter, they are stable no matter what. My MSA S12U and GFI Sd10 detune a bit too much for my liking with plain 6th, but are fine with wound 6th.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

I'm still switching back and forth...I don't do any lowers on the 6th, it makes for a tight n solid tuning especially for live work summer outdoor gigs etc. it's a nice move to have but I prefer to work the mojo elsewhere..plain sounds smoother but wound holds better!
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