A discovery about guitar strings

[annathepiper]

Since a couple of different people had advised me that the strings on my little Ragamuffin really needed changing, I went over to Trading Musician and asked for strings that didn't suck. What I got were a set of Augustine Reds, and these apparently quite fail to suck indeed; according to what I've dug up on the web, these things are concert-grade strings and are used by flamenco players all over the place. The guy at Trading Musician said that he'd had a set of these strings on an instrument for seven years.

I only got to swap out two of my strings last night, the low E and the A, but even after doing that I noticed a significant difference in the sound. My B minor got quite yummier.

I am very pleased. Even if I am grinning at the mental image of a little ragamuffin like my guitar strutting around wearing the equivalent of a tuxedo. ;)

Comments

[wingedelf.livejournal.com]

"The guy at Trading Musician said that he'd had a set of these strings on an instrument for seven years."

--Aha! Validation for something my guitar teacher ages ago always did. He'd pretty much leave strings on until they rotted off. Then again, his instrument of choice was an old Guild 12-string with a fretboard about the width of the deck of an aircraft carrier with really high action to boot....

[annathepiper]

I take great pleasure in actually knowing what "action" is now. Whee!

And whoot, 12-string. :) I've played with one of those things. It was very strange, because the courses felt like my mandolins under my fingers, except there were six of them and not four.

I have been recently advised as well that one wants to change out strings every month or so. I have not been changing Rags' strings except when one has popped; I'll be interested to see how long the Augustines last.

[princessheacock.livejournal.com]

How does one guy having the strings on for 7 years jibe with changing out every month?

(I'm supposed to change my contacts every month... but it usually takes me nearly 3 months. Bad Sarah!)

[annathepiper]

Well, from the impression I am getting, regularly changing your strings has to do with the normal wear and tear the strings get from your hands. Different people have different body chemistry so this will mean different degrees of effect on the strings... not to mention that people who play harder will just make for more wear and tear on the strings. The guy at Trading Musician might have just gotten extremely lucky with a set of Augustines that lasted him for seven years. :)

These things are supposed to be concert quality strings, which implies that they should be able to hold up VERY well to not only the usual wear and tear from an amateur like me, but also the wear and tear an instrument in the hands of a professional is going to receive. Which leads me to conclude that these strings ought to hang in there for some time on Rags!

[wingedelf.livejournal.com]

I'm working a Seagull S-12+ into my budget soon. You'll be most welcome to play it if you wish.

BTW, i finally figured out why you looked familiar when we met at the GBS show- or at least think i have. Sahra Blackthorn (can't recall her maiden name presently) used to be one of the members of your little community, didn't she?

[annathepiper]

You'll have to tell me what a Seagull is in terms of guitars -- brands don't mean much to me yet! I do well to know that Paul's electric is a Hofner and that these are supposed to be considered "not top of the line but still pretty damned good". As opposed to my student-grade guitar. :)

I'd be happy to play said instrument, but I would have to meet it, of course!

And SAH! Yes, I recognize that name. I know her vaguely via mamishka (Mimi) and lyonesse (Vicka). Haven't seen her in a while though, generally only wind up seeing her if she shows up for our Annual Murkworks Homeless Waifs Thanksgiving Day Turkeyfests. Perhaps you might have seen me at one of these, while we were still in the old Murkworks. :)

[wingedelf.livejournal.com]

Seagull are made in a little town in Quebec which also makes Simon & Patrick and La Patrie. As far as sound goes, the S12+ I want sounds brighter and clear than the Gibsons, Yamahas, Takamines and Ovations I've played at a fraction of the cost- it's around $400+ case and to get comparable sound from the instruments i've plyed they were well into the $2000 range.

Last i'd heard, Sah and Jason/Crash and their son Alex were moving to be near her family in Ohio for a bit to get reestablished financially, but were planning on returning here afterwards.

Re:

[annathepiper]

Sounds like a fine guitar then!

I have finished the restringing of Ragamuffin and it is amazing what a difference having non-crap strings makes. :) Even on my crap student-grade guitar.

Sounds like Sah & Jason/Crash are part of what appears to be a trend around here... moving away because the economy sucks. Noises about this have been made by several friends of ours.

[princessheacock.livejournal.com]

I miss hearing you strum around.

Strings must take a while to change?

When you're finished stringing, post a picture! (Dar has a digital camera, right?)

[annathepiper]

Well, it takes ME a little bit of time. Somebody else who's more experienced at it may require less time. ;)

Actually putting the string on the guitar isn't difficult. But once you have it on you need to take the time to actually tune it up to the right note, which can take some extra time. Nylon strings are very stretchy as well, and until they settle into the note they're supposed to be, they slip out of tune pretty fast.

As for hearing me strum, you're welcome to come over any time and listen to me noodle about! And I'll be happy to post a picture -- yes, Dar does have a digital camera -- though Rags won't look too terribly different. Just have some newer-looking strings. It ain't like I've painted the guitar or anything. :)

[princessheacock.livejournal.com]

I think you need to put up a picture of Rags with the new strings. ANd then "touch it up" with a sweet tuxedo.

It's that comment that made me think we needed a picture after all!

[annathepiper]

Hehehehe. I'd consider it if I had any talent whatsoever for photo manipulation. ;)

Still though, I have wanted to get around to snapping pics of my instruments. After all, I have a whole page devoted to them on my web site!

[princessheacock.livejournal.com]

Dar's the artist. How are they at photo manip?

Re:

[annathepiper]

Dar's the artist, but photo manipulation? Not really one of her skills. Not past touching up a photo to improve brightness/contrast/color problems, and the like. :)