Author Topic: String Theory (Read 6129 times)

Will · « **Reply #15 on:** May 13, 2008, 05:51:02 PM »

Quote from: Stevepage

What about using a string set with optimum string tension? I much prefer it to standard sets and it doesn't cost much more.

http://www.zacharyguitars.com/Strings.htm

read here about it.

I would not buy anything from him after that sales pitch. I am sorry, but that was appalling, arrogant and boring.

I am happy with Roto 10-52's FWIW Good value and you get an extra high E, other brands broke quickly.
GHS were the only brand which rarely broke, but they died in sound rather quickly for me

ilÿti · « **Reply #16 on:** May 13, 2008, 05:56:48 PM »

Actually I thought that sales pitch was very funny after the initial calling everybody idiots. A whole paragraph about Yngwie will always get my seal of approval.

38thBeatle · « **Reply #17 on:** May 13, 2008, 07:01:50 PM »

I started using Rotos again recently-mainly because the local store sells 3 sets for the price of 2. I use 11's now and I have found them to be very very good and so I shall stick with them.

WezV · « **Reply #18 on:** May 13, 2008, 07:21:00 PM »

Quote from: Will

I would not buy anything from him after that sales pitch. I am sorry, but that was appalling, arrogant and boring.

Zachary is a bit of a funny one, spend some time going through his guitars... some of them are quite nice... but keep looking at the tags he has put on his pages and see how many other guitar manufacturers you can count!!!

i quite like the idea of straight string pull and could almost go for his minimalist headstock if it didnt involve the outer tuners being strung the wrong way and a reliance on 3 string trees... so tuning instability and a frustrating tuning experience are the cost

and yes.... the apparent ego... speaks for itself really

jimi hendrix · « **Reply #19 on:** May 13, 2008, 07:28:07 PM »

I've also tried lots of different brands, and its down to personal preference in the end, but Roto Oranges are the best by a long way for me in terms of feel, longevity, and tone.

Stevepage · « **Reply #20 on:** May 13, 2008, 07:38:23 PM »

You don't have to buy from that guy. He's a bit of a prat.

But you can use his theory and make your own gauges. I do the same with D'addario's. I've noticed a vast improvement in my tone.

Will · « **Reply #21 on:** May 13, 2008, 08:17:39 PM »

Does the theory even work? wouldn't the different headstocks change perceived tension? 3 + 3 vs Normal Vs reverse?

Stevepage · « **Reply #22 on:** May 13, 2008, 09:47:01 PM »

Well I use that theory with 3 of my guitars. My PRS and two 7 strings (with 7 in line headstocks, one reverse) and the theory does work. I don't notice any difference between headstock shapes and all the guitars except the PRS have the same scale length (25.5).

AngusYoung01 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 13, 2008, 10:47:14 PM »

I'm also going to venture! My unlce bought me a few packs of GHS boomers, so I'll try them. Usually use Ernie Balls 10-52, so the change in gauge might be a little wierd.. we'll see!

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #24 on:** May 13, 2008, 11:03:45 PM »

Quote from: Will

Does the theory even work? wouldn't the different headstocks change perceived tension? 3 + 3 vs Normal Vs reverse?

No - the playing length of the string between the nut and bridge is the same wether you have a 6 in line or a 3+3 etc

The feel can differ depending on how much spare string there is betwen nut and tuners and also the bridge and tailpiece and the "break angles " involved.

It is possible to design a headstock that will make the bit of string betwen the nut and the tuner be in tune to a selected pitch.
You have to be careful as you can get unwanted sympathetic resonances which ring on once you have muted the string.
I have had this happen by accident on reverse headstock guitars = not always ideal!

Stevepage · « **Reply #25 on:** May 13, 2008, 11:12:37 PM »

Quote from: FELINEGUITARS

Quote from: Will
Does the theory even work? wouldn't the different headstocks change perceived tension? 3 + 3 vs Normal Vs reverse?

No - the playing length of the string between the nut and bridge is the same wether you have a 6 in line or a 3+3 etc

The feel can differ depending on how much spare string there is betwen nut and tuners and also the bridge and tailpiece and the "break angles " involved.

It is possible to design a headstock that will make the bit of string betwen the nut and the tuner be in tune to a selected pitch.
You have to be careful as you can get unwanted sympathetic resonances which ring on once you have muted the string.
I have had this happen by accident on reverse headstock guitars = not always ideal!

That's something that happens on both my 7 strings. A bit of foam behind the nut, under the strings kills that annoying ring. Doesn't look as attractive but works all the same.

badgermark · « **Reply #26 on:** May 14, 2008, 10:11:21 AM »

I've tried loads, but have been a regular d'adarrio 11's user for years now. They last ages, and seem to sound better with age. Ernie Balls used to snap on me daily, and 11s just feel right.

Nolly · « **Reply #27 on:** May 14, 2008, 12:13:23 PM »

DR Tite-fits are by far the best strings I've tried. So slinky and smooth, with a wicked brightness. So loud acoustically as well.
I use the 10-56 set (used to be called the Jeff Healey sig set, but they've changed the name..), but good luck finding those! I just bought up Stringbusters' entire stock..

Bob Johnson · « **Reply #28 on:** May 14, 2008, 09:00:24 PM »

Selecting your own string gauge string by string was fairly common years ago when guitar shops had racks full of single strings you could pick from. Since this has more or less died out I guess the idea of selecting your own mix has gone with it. Since I keep a fairly reasonable range of single strings I always string my own guitar with a balanced set as I always have done. So Zachary's claim to have invented the idea seems a little outlandish.

The one thing that stood out on that Zachary guitars rant was the premise that guitar string sets tend to give lower tension on the bass strings than the treble strings. Intrigued by this statement, I've just checked four sets that have tension data on the packaging and actually the reverse appears to be the case.
In fact on some of the D'Addario sets the string to string tension is pretty close to optimum already.

Roobubba · « **Reply #29 on:** May 15, 2008, 12:00:22 PM »

Jesus, I just read that guy's BS.

Admittedly I got bored of the ranting - what perfect individual such as I am wouldn't? Ahh wait, I must be mistaking myself for the unforgettable and perfect genius that is Alex, the person who was the first to think of and to invent everything...

As far as I read by skimming, he didn't even mention being careful with floating bridges or guitar necks to ensure that the overall tension used isn't too high or low to allow the guitar to be set up with relative ease...

What a muppet :/

Roo