Guitar Strings - Part 1
Getting in tune and staying in tune, are what the job requires,
for sure. I've been in so many situation's where string breakage
and not staying in tune just creates havoc on the band,
Audience, and music. I've had situations in my youth and now a
days to be sure, where I've neglected to either change my
strings, and a couple of times I like a dumb kid just didn't
bother to properly tune my guitar.
I used to work for the Gibson Guitar String and Accessories
Division (now called GIBSON GEAR) as a shipping and receiving
clerk then moved up to Regional Sales Manager in Elgin, IL. In
those capacities I was able to see the Gibson String line from
start to finish, as well as learning what alloys the strings
were made of. I got to understand how those alloys affected
their overall tone feel and playability.
Mind you, I've been playing now for over forty years and I've
used just about every brand of string manufactured. Obviously I
haven't tried every string brand sold out there, just most of
them. I tend to play very hard when I'm rocking and I'm used to
certain brands of guitar strings giving out. I don't pretend to
know what the ins and outs to manufacturing strings. I do know
what works for me.
I've used The Gibson Brand string for decades before I worked
there and after I got the job in shipping (working for minimum
wage); I'd buy the strings and turn them on to my guitarist
friends. I'd also give them to some friends who weren't
guitarist, just guitar players. My point was to hip my buddy's
to these strings that seemed to tune well, not break from a good
workout. Besides, I'd get them on discount.
I know when I was trying to sell these strings to music dealers
that I'd hear "all strings are the same man"! It would seem to
make sense, it's not true! There are very good strings, good
strings and there are poorly made strings. Yes, it's a
subjective call and I am a 'Gibson' man. That saying doesn't
hold water to me at all. Since I stopped working for Gibson I've
used and abused all types and brands of guitar strings. I know
from experience that for the hard core "smack down" bruise and
bloody your fingers guitarist. Gibson is one of the best.
What I do know and can tell you about these strings is the wound
strings are smooth, feel tight, bend like a Mo-Fo and don't
break after a long set of banging and rocking your balls off!
Give these strings a shot and see what I know works for me.
Next time I'll give you my take on what and how the different
alloys do to the playability and tonal character of your
performance.