Tuning issue resolved...a bit embarrassing

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

I recently changed my strings, using the D'Addario NYXL medium set that I've been using for awhile now. But I noticed the guitar felt different although I couldn't pin it down and was too busy to delve into it much. So today I'm off work and decided to do a thorough tuning, dialing in the pedals and levers and the split. When it came to the sixth string split there was much weirdness going on. It should be G# open, G with the A pedal and G lever, and F# with the G lever alone. But try as I might I couldn't get the F#. After about a half hour of trying and getting more frustrated by the minute I came to realize I had inadvertently switched the 5th and 6th strings when putting them on. So there was a .020" where the .018 goes and vice versa. No wonder the action felt different and no wonder the the tuning nuts wouldn't respond right.
I still really like these NYXL strings but with the packaging system you really do need to pay close attention to what you're doing when changing strings. Luckily there was no need to open another set, I just switched them and after some further adjustment everything is fine. Calling Mullen won't be necessary after all.

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

You was lucky one of the strings was not to short.
Some string company packages are not numbered. Just have the string size on them. When I get a new order of strings, I check them with a dial caliper to make sure the size is correct.
I use a magic marker and mark the string envelopes with string number. On my present 12U steel I string 1 to 6 then 12 to 7, Just to keep the problem from rising.

Any time you work on something where precision measurement is necessary, A micrometer or dial caliper is a very important tool to have.

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

Bobby, I have a caliper but I didn't need it in this instance. The D'Addario strings have color coded ball ends to indicate what gauge they are. I just happened to notice that the sixth string looked slightly heavier than the fifth string and then checked the ball end colors. Bingo. Of course the D'Addario NYXL sets do not have individual envelopes, they're all sealed in one plastic pouch. All you've got are the colored ball ends to indicate which string is which gauge. The disadvantages are obvious. The advantage is that when you open the sealed pouch the strings are completely without oxidation. It makes a difference in sound and how long they last.

Steven Paris · From: Los Angeles

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

Greg Thompson · From: Taumarunui, New Zealand

For your info. NYXL D'Addario single strings ARE marked in gauges as well as colour
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Prototype Zum Encore,5&4 NZ made Rockit Champ 60watt and 100watt Amplifiers, Hilton Pedal,NYXL Strings

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

Greg, I am aware that there is a legend on the package indicating which color corresponds with which gauge. The difference is that when you pull them out of the bag you have a handful of five coils of strings, two strings per coil. It's just a bit different after about thirty years of opening each string envelope separately with the gauge stenciled on the envelope. I prefer the NYXL strings but not the packaging. But it's no biggie.

Greg Thompson · From: Taumarunui, New Zealand

Understand completely. I was just passing on to you, that if you buy them as single strings instead of sets. They are individually labeled in gauges.
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Prototype Zum Encore,5&4 NZ made Rockit Champ 60watt and 100watt Amplifiers, Hilton Pedal,NYXL Strings

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

I have 2 dial calipers, One from a well know company and one from Midway USA shooters supply. When you take the little plastic label out, Both was made in China.

I am not a fan of the electronic Calipers, If one is dropped, They go Goofy. Plus with my luck I had better have spare batteries, It would be dead when I most needed it.

If I got strings packed the way you described those, I would use Masking Tape and Magic Marker to mark the strings with string number using their color code. If I was changing strings and some Tele-Marker called me and make me mad. I could make a real SNAFU out of changing strings.

Steven Paris · From: Los Angeles

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Bill,Every time I sit at my pedal steel guitar I embarrass myself...I've been using D'Addario strings on my acoustic guitars for years and that was the only reason why it wasn't so tricky for me,I feel bad for someone who has color blindness.
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Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952.

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

Stu, I hadn't thought of that. Color blindness would be a real issue in this context for sure. The red colored .018 and the brass colored .020 are coiled together so I had two strings uncoiled and ready to put on. Just grabbed the wrong one in my haste.
I'm used to the color coding too as D'Addario is what I put on my six string electrics. I like the NYXL for six string too, they seem to have a chimey tone.

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