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Topic: E9 5th String: .017 or .018??? |
Bob Storti
From:
Matthews, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 1 Apr 2004 5:18 pm |
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I've been looking at a number of different brands of E9 string sets and see that the 5th string is either a .017 or a .018. In all the years that I've been playing, I didn't know that you could use something other than a .017!!
So here's my question: pros and cons between the .017 and the .018. Please help an old steel player who doesn't seem to get out much anymore. Thanks guys.
Bob |
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Bobby Lee
From:
Cloverdale, California, USA
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Posted 1 Apr 2004 5:29 pm
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| I've always prefered the .018. It's tighter and louder. |
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 1 Apr 2004 5:32 pm
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My experience is just the opposite. I had never used anything but a .018 and recently needed a new set and noticed that a number of sets are using .017. I imagine it is more what ya get used to. I would not think there is much difference. OR if one could even tell IF another person put the opposite one on.
carl |
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Hook Moore
From:
South Charleston,West Virginia
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Posted 1 Apr 2004 5:57 pm
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| I prefer .017 |
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 1 Apr 2004 10:21 pm
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| I use .018. My strings 4-5-and 6 are, .014-.018, and .022. The reason: The Big E. It also gives you more bottom on strings 5-6-8, and 10 . I use a .038 on sting 10 as does Buddy. Jody. |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 2 Apr 2004 5:19 am
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This is interesting, and I'd never given it much thought.
My first steel was a ZB, and I also used to use ZB strings - those guitars came with a .040" 10th string! I don't remember the other gauges, but I imagine that they were a little fatter than what's normal nowadays.
When I bought a Sho-Bud, I changed it's strings using some of my old stock - you can guess what that did to the tuning on my new guitar! I had to call the guy I'd bought it from to find out what gauges it needed! That .036 sounded really thin to me!
I've just put an 11.5 '3rd' on my Emmons and I like the slight improvement it gives - just how much fatter could I make all the E9th strings on my LeGrande and still have everything work properly?
RR
PS: I use an .018 5th. [This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 02 April 2004 at 05:20 AM.] |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 2 Apr 2004 10:31 am
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| Other than the 3rd string, my 5th string 017 breaks the most often. I would be very hesitant to make that problem worse by putting a heavier string there that would require even more tension. |
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Bob Storti
From:
Matthews, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 2 Apr 2004 11:51 am
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David -
That's a good point; string breakage could be an issue. I just wonder though if a .018 might be alittle stronger than a .017 and maybe more resistant to breakage because of its additional mass - it may not be enough to outweigh the extra tension. Gee, now I'm confusing myself (again!).
Bob |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 2 Apr 2004 5:31 pm
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| Like Carl, I don't think there's enough difference to worry about. I've never been too picky about string guages (neither has my guitar), and I've often used whatever's handy. I know the older sets used to call for .018's on the 5th, but I've probably gone up or down a couple of thou on all of 'em at one time or another. I've used a .040 or .042 for the 10th string on E9th, and on the C6th, I used a .072 on the 10th string for many years. Most all-pull guitars, provided they're set up "loose", will tolerate most guaged sets with just a little tweeking of the tuning nuts. I've never had a breakage problem with anything but the 3rd on the E9th, where I use a .010 or a .011. |
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Reggie Duncan
From:
Mississippi
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Posted 2 Apr 2004 9:37 pm
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| I use .018, but I don't really hear a lot of difference. |
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KENNY KRUPNICK
From:
Columbus, Ohio
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Posted 3 Apr 2004 1:08 am
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| .017 on the 5th,and a .038 on the 10th. |
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 3 Apr 2004 10:43 am
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On my old ShoBud I used a .018 for many years as I lowered the 5th string a half and I could get a pretty good C note by lowering against the raise. On my current Psuedo Emmons (BMI) S-12 I couldn't get it to come close enough with the .018 but a .017 does the job just fine. Also on my ShoBud I used a .011 on the 3rd string but on the BMI a .010 works better. Also I now use a .036 but on the bud I used a .038 on string 10...Have a good 'un....JH
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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.
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