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Post by jazziiiguy on Apr 30, 2007 20:23:28 GMT -5
So I screwed up my hand pretty badly a couple years ago, and it forced me to take an extended break from guitar playing. I've only been back into it seriously about six months or so, which means I'm still building my chops back up.
I've found that I very much prefer the sound and feel of heavier gauges, but I hate having to tune down. The problem is, I'm just not developing any real speed, no matter how diligently I practice. I'm thinking it's because the gauges I'm using right now are too heavy for my hands at this point so the lack of strength is slowing me down.
So my question is, would it be better for my hands (and easier on them) to start with lighter strings and gradually build up to a heavier gauge? I'm not looking to go Malcom Young heavy or anything (no wound g string), just medium/slightly heavy.
Any help would be appreciated.
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Post by Tungus on Apr 30, 2007 20:36:33 GMT -5
When I came to this board..ok the original board, almost 3 yrs ago: I was coming off of an injury myself. I know how ya feel. As does Emp.
Emp is gonna love this post hahaha.
I play with 9s. Allways have. I do use a heavy top E, but i just prefer light bottoms.
True, heavier bottoms have better tone, and I do occasionally slap a 10 on the bitch... but I end up back on 9s.
Joel inspired me to return to playing and practicing, and Ive come a long way. My finger strength is capable of using 11s now............ Im just bein a lazy ass.
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Post by pcsmall on Apr 30, 2007 21:10:50 GMT -5
i usually use my acoustic when i start learning new stuff (except tapping). i figure if i can do it on acoustic then electric will be no problem since the strings on my acoustic are so much heavier. i used the acoustic when i started learning to sweep pick and it helped me out a ton...doing it on electric is no problem now.
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Post by jazziiiguy on Apr 30, 2007 21:28:03 GMT -5
I travel constantly and I can only take one guitar with me everywhere, so using my acoustic is out of the question -- the only guitar I'm going to be playing for a while is my new Ibanez! ha
Injuries are horrible, plain and simple. I'm picking up information to help avoid them this time around, luckily.
I actually find certain things easier with heavier strings, too. Pretty much any type of consistent picking motion, be it alternating, sweeping or downpicking, is easier for me with heavy strings. The only problem I'm really having is my left hand. I've woodshedded many exeercises, drills, licks and runs these past six months, but that left hand just isn't getting any faster. Even working with a metronome, it's not making any real improvement in speed.
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Post by Stefvorcide on Apr 30, 2007 21:29:53 GMT -5
Aye, i fucked my hand too (broken glas in the wrist... OUCH)
before, I was using 10's... then 9's cause it was easier, anyway tone wasnt that different, cause of my crappy RP7...fucked my hand, had surgery... played on 9's for a while... then thought the tone sucked so i put back 10's.... now i'm using 12-52's (always in D) and I find that alright... would preffer 12-60/62 tbh... heavy bottom ftw,
I'd say try some 10 or 11s and see what feel good..
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Post by jazziiiguy on Apr 30, 2007 21:46:04 GMT -5
So basically just move up progressively like you would with any other aspect of guitar playing. That's what I figured.
Damn, I gonna hate using lighter strings, but it'll be worth it.
Thanks, guys! \m/
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Post by endless on May 1, 2007 15:05:13 GMT -5
Aye, i fucked my hand too (broken glas in the wrist... OUCH) I have a nasty scar from falling on broken glass on the inside of my wrist, it happened when I was four, so it doesn't affect my playing today, thankfully... sometimes hard to convice people I'm not a cutter though... it looks like I was fuckin crucified ;D 12-52 ... \m/ same here ...what brand do you use? Curently I'm using Elixer, but I'm looking for something new. Also, 60 on the bottom would be dos!
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Post by Stefvorcide on May 1, 2007 16:25:49 GMT -5
you probly got lucky... had a 4-hour surgery to fix the muscles/blood arterias (sp ??) things
btw I use elixir as well... seems to last (wayy) longuer and tone seems better.
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Post by pcsmall on May 1, 2007 22:40:22 GMT -5
i use elixer on my acoustic...love em. i'm going to buy a pack for my electric next time I go string shoppin.
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Post by mattjem7vwh on May 2, 2007 7:54:03 GMT -5
So basically just move up progressively like you would with any other aspect of guitar playing. That's what I figured. Damn, I gonna hate using lighter strings, but it'll be worth it. Thanks, guys! \m/ Theres no real reason you cant keep your heavy strings on, the ones your comfortable with, just develop your style to be able to play them lightly. Work on using minimal effort to get the right sound. if you change down to lighter guage you'll need to re-set your guitar and relearn all the pressures required to hit notes during bends etc. .. major pain in the bum! if you keep the same strings you'll already be familiar with what amount of pressure is required to hit those notes, and your tone will be better! develop your fingers to play as light as possible and you'll pick up speed in the process.
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Post by jazziiiguy on May 2, 2007 17:54:53 GMT -5
So basically just move up progressively like you would with any other aspect of guitar playing. That's what I figured. Damn, I gonna hate using lighter strings, but it'll be worth it. Thanks, guys! \m/ Theres no real reason you cant keep your heavy strings on, the ones your comfortable with, just develop your style to be able to play them lightly. Work on using minimal effort to get the right sound. if you change down to lighter guage you'll need to re-set your guitar and relearn all the pressures required to hit notes during bends etc. .. major pain in the bum! if you keep the same strings you'll already be familiar with what amount of pressure is required to hit those notes, and your tone will be better! develop your fingers to play as light as possible and you'll pick up speed in the process. Sweet! Reading that just made my day a whole lot better. Thanks! I wasn't looking forward to going back to light strings, but my left hand just doesn't seem to be getting its old strength back. Legato is nearly impossible for me right now, that's why I was curious if progressive resistence was the way to go.
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Post by jazziiiguy on May 2, 2007 17:59:51 GMT -5
I've only used Elixir once. They seriously lasted about six months, which is incredible when you consider that I go through Earnie Ball in about two weeks. I haven't used Elixir again because no store sells them in the town I live in. So lately I've been using Dean Markley Blue Steel. They seem to last (almost as long as Elixir) and I think they even sound a little better than Elixir.
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schweinhund
IG Old Sk00l Badass
She's a maniac on the floor
Posts: 677
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Post by schweinhund on May 3, 2007 22:10:50 GMT -5
I use some fender strings 9-42. It's fucking sweet, like playing air cuz I dropped the action as low as it can get on the guitar.. creating the most badass Epiphone LP on my small island. But I deliberatly (however that would be spelled) used the heaviest shit I could find in the beginning of my playing to build up strength when I needed it. Now I don't have any problems bending a string until it breaks, it's declared ultimate to break a string in a mighty bend after a killer solo. I remember when I was practising Eugene's Bag of Tricks back in the day and I couldn't get up to the high A (a''') round fret 29. I broke 2 strings in a row but the third one persevered where the others perished. Now I take other paths up there cuz it's boring to change strings
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Post by endless on May 3, 2007 23:39:47 GMT -5
I think the part your talking about is played with a slide, which might explain why its so murderous to your strings to bend it.
Neat thing I found out: Strings break at a set note, regardless of thickness... I think brand might affect this though. If you high E breaks when tuned to A, Your low E will break at the same A, because its stronger, I think... I'm gonna have to dig out the thing I read about this.
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schweinhund
IG Old Sk00l Badass
She's a maniac on the floor
Posts: 677
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Post by schweinhund on May 4, 2007 13:39:05 GMT -5
Yeah thats probably right. Now I just fret the string on the pickup instead of bending it to hell.
You tell us more about this string breaking formula. It got my ears and attention up.
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