Plain 3rd string

[slide496]

I am noticing that both my Messer Electric slide Classics and other brands have a plain third (G) string, and I was told that was for Jazz players, but I am wondering why that is nonetheless?

I can't really tell the difference and my preference is a wound string.

[Deleted]

I find the plain G doesn't break anywhere near as often as a wound G, but they have intonation problems after a few weeks.
The main difference I have found is that I have sustained some nasty injuries from the cut end of a plain G - now I always bend the end into a 'safety loop'...
TT

[slide496]

I have the same issue with injuries from them, TT - usually loop most strings. Wear long sleeves as well as strings can whip and you don't notice until later but you have like a papercut on your arm.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Harriet,

The heavy gauge MM Slide Classics (15 to 56) have a wound third. The light set was really designed for people who tune in EBEG#BE and EAEAC#E, rather than slack tunings like G and D. There were three reasons for having a plain third in my Electric Slide Classics set - 1> under that tension in high tunings the wound G can break, 2> most electric slide players tend to use a plain third on electric and acoustic guitars, and 3> because when I play electric slide I like the strings and their tension to feel much the same as an acoustic set. I am not used to a plain third and therefore tend to overplay on it.

A plain third is not for Jazz, it is just a personal preference. Every recording you have ever heard of me playing electric slide and lap steel, were done with a wound third. There are many influences in my electric playing, but Jazz is not one them.

Shine On
Michael.

[slide496]

Hi Michael,

Thanks I got a light set, that's why. I am used to wound on my parlors but they are small and the .025 light wound g never breaks at E and A,

You could write a book on the misinformation you can get from IMHO alleged guitar techs at the local commercial music stores around here!!!

Best,
Harriet

[pete1951]

Plain strings can be `bent` more easily than wound strings, most electric blues/rock players want to bend notes, so a plain 3rd is favourite. This `bendability` however means that when fretted the string sharpens more than a wound string. If you look at most electrics the `G` will have more compensation than the wound `D`. This need for compensation can be hard to get on a fixed bridge guitar, so a wound `G` will play more in tune if fretted . Slide does not `bend` the string, so a plain or wound string are both fine.
PT
Most `Jazz`(I`m thinking of Joe Pass or Barney Kessel) players want a big `round` tone , and tend to use heavy wound `G`s often tape-wound

[slide496]

Thanks Pete1951

[amccj7]

Josh Graves also used a plain 3rd

[bryanbradfield]

Josh's plain third was 0.026". I use a plain 0.026" also. It gives a funky tone, with tones of volume, until you get to around the 12th fret where the tone and volume rapidly and drastically deteriorate.

[amccj7]

When my "G" goes thud I,m going to try the plain 3rd,
And play some Uncle Josh tunes !

[Michael Messer]

Much of that early country Dobro 'plain third' Josh Graves, Brother Oswald, Clell Summey stuff is in high bass A tuning, which does liven up the plain third.

Recently I have been experimenting with a plain phosphor bronze third on my Tricone. This is what sitar players and Indian slide guitarists use. It is much warmer than plain steel and to my ears it works better.

Shine On
Michael

[snakehips]

Hi there !

I'm confused - what's a plain phosphor-bronze string ?
Or was that a typo ?

[Michael Messer]

.027 gauge phosphor bronze wire. It is softer than steel and sounds and feels wonderful.

Shine On
Michael

[snakehips]

Hi again !

Is it only for the 3rd string ?
How do they survive lots of string bending, compared to steel, or are they not "bend-friendly" ?
Just made up a new phrase I think !!?

[Michael Messer]

Sitar players use them and they bend whole octaves.

It only works with the third or fourth strings, I tried the first and second strings, but they just snapped.

Shine On
Michael