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Post by littlebobby on Apr 20, 2023 12:13:19 GMT
I read something about Charlie Parr using flatwounds on a resonator but not sure how it would work on a flat top. I used them on an old Gibson archtop I had a few years back and they were very comfortable.
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Post by kim on Apr 20, 2023 14:48:46 GMT
Thanks Michael, is it possible to use a lighter wound 3rd in a set, or should you stay away from trying to bend a would string?
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Post by kim on Apr 20, 2023 14:52:05 GMT
I read something about Charlie Parr using flatwounds on a resonator but not sure how it would work on a flat top. I used them on an old Gibson archtop I had a few years back and they were very comfortable. Thanks very much, flatwounds might be worth a try, would the tone be more flat than roundwounds? Kim
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Post by littlebobby on Apr 20, 2023 15:15:54 GMT
Less sustain I think, but the Gibson I had them on was a bit of a dog and sustain wasn’t great anyway. Impulse buy when in Asheville in North Carolina. Sold it pretty quick. Should have bought the 12 fret Martin slot head dread instead. Same price and would have fetched a fortune over here
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Post by mrstrellisofnwales on Apr 20, 2023 15:17:00 GMT
I’ve been looking for years for a flat wound string that gives a tone I like. Always been trying to get rid of that string noise as you slide a chord shape a couple of frets up or down. I’ve played some which were fine through and amp using EQ/ effects etc but nothing that sounds as good as a PB. Fine for Jazz but just not for me. Please post results of any experimenting you do. Mrs T
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Post by bod on Apr 20, 2023 19:31:51 GMT
I’ve been looking for years for a flat wound string that gives a tone I like. Always been trying to get rid of that string noise as you slide a chord shape a couple of frets up or down. I’ve played some which were fine through and amp using EQ/ effects etc but nothing that sounds as good as a PB. Fine for Jazz but just not for me. Please post results of any experimenting you do. Mrs T Have you tried Newtone double wound? Not flats, but less noisy than normal (single) wound - available in PB or nickel…
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 20, 2023 20:05:59 GMT
Forgive my interruption here, but what is this "noisy" thing you are all discussing?
I have played slide guitar on resonator guitars for around 45 years, and I have taught it to many hundreds, probably thousands of people at various types of events for around 25 years. If your strings are making noises that are not a part of the music, that is a technique thing and not the tools being used. There is absolutely no need or reason to use anything other than a set of normal strings to get a great and clean slide tone. If they feel a bit noisy when you first put them on, which I don't find, but if they do, play for half an hour and they'll be fine.
It takes so much time and practice to master your chosen instrument, and if you are experiencing unwanted string noise, then you have to practice practice practice, focusing on that one thing until it goes away. Put it to the test - one hour a day focusing on string dampening, slide pressure and angle, and control of the playing hand, until it goes away and it will go away.
There will always be one or two exceptions to any rule, so I am sure there are a few well known players that use flat wound strings for slide, but there really is no need to, even if you want the cleanest of tones, regular wound strings are fine.
I really do stand by that statement; it is not the tools, it is the player's technique.
Technique >Technique >Technique
Shine On Michael
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Post by bod on Apr 21, 2023 10:11:29 GMT
Forgive my interruption here, but what is this "noisy" thing you are all discussing? I have played slide guitar on resonator guitars for around 45 years, and I have taught it to many hundreds, probably thousands of people at various types of events for around 25 years. If your strings are making noises that are not a part of the music, that is a technique thing and not the tools being used. There is absolutely no need or reason to use anything other than a set of normal strings to get a great and clean slide tone. If they feel a bit noisy when you first put them on, which I don't find, but if they do, play for half an hour and they'll be fine. It takes so much time and practice to master your chosen instrument, and if you are experiencing unwanted string noise, then you have to practice practice practice, focusing on that one thing until it goes away. Put it to the test - one hour a day focusing on string dampening, slide pressure and angle, and control of the playing hand, until it goes away and it will go away. There will always be one or two exceptions to any rule, so I am sure there are a few well known players that use flat wound strings for slide, but there really is no need to, even if you want the cleanest of tones, regular wound stylings are fine. I really do stand by that statement; it is not the tools, it is the player's technique. Technique >Technique >Technique Shine On Michael Hi Michael, I can’t speak for others, but the noisy thing I had in mind is the kind of “whistles” and even “squeals” that can occur when sliding fingers - not slides - up or down strings (fretted notes, fingered chords). I had imagined (assumed?) that this was what Mrs T (of NW) was referring to, but now I’m wondering if I’d misunderstood… Either way, I guess the point about technique applies. For my part, I’ve never put Newtone double wounds on a guitar that I mainly use for slide, but I tend to keep a flat top acoustic for non-slide fingerstyle playing and I used to like the double wounds on the little Martin I had a few years back. In part, because they do help with extraneous string noise a bit but I also liked the feel and the sound. As it happens I’ve just ordered a set to try on my current non-slide guitar (a tatty old, small-bodied Lowden), which, on reflection , may be why I read Mrs T’s words the way I did.
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 21, 2023 10:32:48 GMT
Hi Bod,
You may be right that Mrs T was talking about finger squeals on strings, but the same rule applies to those too. Practice and most of them will go away.
This is all down to how much time and dedication we put into what we do. I think that maybe people don't realise how much time and practice goes into being a great player. Part of it is a gift and a natural understanding, but much of it is sheer hard work over many years.
I am not in any way a religious person, but I do love and agree with this quote from the great master sarod player, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.
If you practice for ten years you may begin to please yourself, after twenty years you may become a performer and please the audience, after thirty years you may please even your guru/teacher, but you must practice for many more years before you finally become a true artist and then you may even please God.
He nailed it in one!
Shine On Michael
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Post by littlebobby on Apr 21, 2023 11:56:15 GMT
I dig the squeaks and extraneous noises myself.
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Post by mrstrellisofnwales on Apr 24, 2023 12:37:41 GMT
Re String noise: I agree with Michael that it’s a technique issue as much as a string issue ( yes I was talking about fingered chords) However, my fingers are a bit like over cooked re frozen chipolatas, don’t bend very well at the joints and occasionally stop working completely or just too painful. I am literally ham fisted . I do sometimes tend to play with a Vulcan death grip- never had a lesson, and whilst the noise I get might not be overtly noticeable to others, to me it’s a bit of an ear worm. Some days I don’t notice it but once it gets into your head- Ping! it stays for a while. FWIW for the past 30 odd years guitar playing has been my physiotherapy and psychotherapy all rolled into one. Mrs T
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Post by mrstrellisofnwales on Apr 24, 2023 13:00:58 GMT
Michael’s quote- If you practice for ten years you may begin to please yourself, after twenty years you may become a performer and please the audience, after thirty years you may please even your guru/teacher, but you must practice for many more years before you finally become a true artist and then you may even please God.
I’ve been practising for 50 years and the biggest buzz I’ve ever had was seeing my little grandkids dancing when I play Rollin and Tumblin. ☺️. Slow learner me. Wonderful forum, fabulous advice. Mrs T
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Post by littlebobby on Apr 24, 2023 14:59:12 GMT
Hi Bod, You may be right that Mrs T was talking about finger squeals on strings, but the same rule applies to those too. Practice and most of them will go away. This is all down to how much time and dedication we put into what we do. I think that maybe people don't realise how much time and practice goes into being a great player. Part of it is a gift and a natural understanding, but much of it is sheer hard work over many years. I am not in any way a religious person, but I do love and agree with this quote from the great master sarod player, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. If you practice for ten years you may begin to please yourself, after twenty years you may become a performer and please the audience, after thirty years you may please even your guru/teacher, but you must practice for many more years before you finally become a true artist and then you may even please God.He nailed it in one! Shine On Michael Sounds like something a Taoist master would say.
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Post by littlebobby on Feb 14, 2024 12:27:41 GMT
Struggling to hit some higher notes when singing. Tuning down a step helps but the strings are like laccy bands. Will upping to the heavier gauge newtones help with this? Seems like yes to me but the hive mind always helps.
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Post by Michael Messer on Feb 14, 2024 12:34:14 GMT
Struggling to hit some higher notes when singing. Tuning down a step helps but the strings are like laccy bands. Will upping to the heavier gauge newtones help with this? Seems like yes to me but the hive mind always helps. YES! If you are tuning down and they're floppy, go heavier. Try If you are currently using 13 or 15-56, go to 16-59s As well as using them for low and regular open tunings, they're great for growing beans on the allotment. Shine On Michael
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