I’m trialing a new set of strings on my acoustic guitar, which usually causes a new wave of inspiration. So far, so good.
What’s so special about these particular strings? The unwound “G” string eliminates a lot of string noise --especially when playing those slidey triads up and down the fretboard. Box checked nicely.
As I have stated in the past, I never do the string stretch step that everyone else seems to blindly follow. These strings went on as expected, tuned up and have stayed in tune nicely. Another box checked.
Tone? They seem as “brassy” as DiAddarios, and not much different tonally to my ears. Time will tell. More trialing ahead. Here they are:
I’m also a big fan of these strings for one reason: it makes string bending on the G string a lot easier. I recommend them for anyone playing acoustic blues or otherwise “bendy” music.
To say “blindly follow” intimates that those who do it don’t know what they’re doing and aren’t thinking. I’m here to tell you that when I put on new strings, if I don’t stretch them a few times, they quickly go substantially flat, and do that for a couple of days.
I would say that it is one of those things that gets repeated constantly. I’ve never done it and don’t see the point. If you do it mindfully, then good on you. Never stop doing what works for you.
I don’t bother to stretch strings either. Since I tune up at the beginning of every session, I don’t see much advantage. I treat all my guitars (Strat, acoustic, bass) the same.
I like those myself for the same reason, the unwound G is great and it doesn’t seem to alter the tone very much. I prefer those to my previous favourite Martin EC signature strings. I also like Silk n Steel for my aged Suzuki (Japanese made) Gibson Dove alike, she’s pretty old (1977) now so needs treating gently!
This is what I question, too. I don’t know enough about metal elasticity, fatigue and so on, but if you plan to check intonation, surely stretching the string by hand is liable to mess it up - by imparting inconsistent stretch.
For all the guitar stuff on YouTube, we don’t seem to have anyone doing quantified, precise, repeatable testing of questions like this.
