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Post by Kris on Apr 17, 2019 13:05:44 GMT
G’day good folks! Apologies, a boring question. I’ve grabbed some of Michael’s nickel strings from Newtone and was planning to pop ‘em on my wood bodied Gretsch Aligaror reso. She’s my “if one is going to get tripped over or accidentally knocked let it be this one and not the Nationals” sofa guitar! None the less she’s a trusty old girl and gets played a great deal!
I thought it time to have some fun with her plugged in, her PB strings sound...uh, not so great amplified so let’s see how nickel goes.
I have 13/56 and 15/56 guage. I’m thinking the former will be a better choice on a wood bodied guitar? Or still a tad too heavy for safety? I believe Gretsch send them out with a very light set (12/53). Any tips would be most appreciated! I don’t wish to crush any cones other than the ice cream variety when the lovely British summer finally hits (we hope!)
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Apr 17, 2019 13:15:36 GMT
I would suggest 13/56 and tune them down a step to D. Change 'em one string at a time so you keep the pressure on the cone then nothing gets disturbed. Michaels strings are round core so they have less tension when tuned and be aware - read the fitting instructions on the pack.
Do NOT cut the strings until they are fitted, tuned and settled down or you may see them unravel in front of your very eyes.
Hope that helps
PD |
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Post by Kris on Apr 17, 2019 13:21:55 GMT
Thank you good sir. I shall proceed!
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Post by 1928triolian on Apr 17, 2019 13:57:28 GMT
Hi Kris, in a wood body reso the cone will not be softer or weaker than in a metal body.
I would rather consider the tuning you're playing in:
As a general rule 13/56 will be better in standard and 15/56 in open tunings... but there are really no rules.
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Post by Kris on Apr 17, 2019 14:03:16 GMT
Hi Kris, in a wood body reso the cone will not be softer or weaker than in a metal body. I would rather consider the tuning you're playing in: As a general rule 13/56 will be better in standard and 15/56 in open tunings... but there are really no rules. Thank you! Perfect, that works for me as the 15/56 can find a home on another guitar. I thought I read somewhere that wooden resos were not as suited to heavier string gauges as metal bodied ones. It may well have been my imagination! You can get lost reading stuff online and not always register the right info late at night when you are squinting at a forum in a tiny font on your phone, when you should be sleeping! (Guilty!) |
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Apr 17, 2019 14:27:59 GMT
1928 Triolian is smack on correct but I've heard tales about Gretsch resos with heavy strings - maybe that's why they fit 12s as standard.
However, MMs 13s string set is very similar to a standard 12 set, tension wise, so all should be OK.
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Post by Kris on Apr 17, 2019 14:35:12 GMT
1928 Triolian is smack on correct but I've heard tales about Gretsch resos with heavy strings - maybe that's why they fit 12s as standard. However, MMs 13s string set is very similar to a standard 12 set, tension wise, so all should be OK. Thank you. It doesn’t feel the most robust of beasts which is why I wondered if it may turn to dust and blow away in the wind should I mess about with heavier gauge strings. It’s a guitar I appreciate as I’m not precious about it and thusly its always on the sofa and on, or should I say in, hand! |
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