Well, guitar strings and one more thing.

Hey guys, looking for help here. I just finished reading this article and I think it's a great starting point. I'm not a beginner on the guitar, but I'm not a pro either and that's why I didn't find what I was looking for in the article.

I am mainly a violin player, to me strings matter a lot when it comes to the sound, regardless of the pedals, eq's and so on, that's why I'm wondering... in electric guitars do strings really make a big difference? Is the difference something that can be taken care of by effects, amps and such? (If your answer is "No dude, they don't make a big difference", then you don't to read the rest of the post haha)

If yes... I need help with this...

I am still not sure what type of strings I should use or would sound better for my guitar and my playing. So, maybe you can recommend something. I am playing a Epiphone SG-G400 Goth, usually I play and write music like Nirvana, Rise Against, Sum 41, Muse, Yellowcard, etc. I play mostly rhythm guitar (Drop D). I want to get a sound that's quite heavy, but not metal.

So... any recommendations? Thanks!

Strings absolutely matter to the tone of an instrument. Flat, round, what kind of core, materials used, tension, scale length, environmentally sealed... it's all relevant.

You should take advantage of playing an instrument with extremely affordable strings. Guitar sets run anywhere from 3 to 8 bucks. Best advice from me is to go out and buy 4 or 5 different sets and get a feel for them. Make sure they are all different.

Nickel wounds will be warmer, bassier, and softer to the ear

Stainless Steel will be brighter, more treble, and sharp to the ear. They sound literally metallic with certain sets.

As a bass player, I enjoy lots of highs and mids in my sound while maintaining a deep tone under it all. I prefer long scale, high tension round-wound strings and usually go for nickle but have had some fun with the SS as well. It cost me hundreds of dollars to discover my taste preference though. Bass strings run between 25-60 bucks a set.

A biased suggestion would be to stay away from DR strings unless you plan to buy them often. They sound awesome but they go dead quickly.

okay, I was supposed to write that but I got busy being a Dad, a working professional and a part time graphic artist (so many hats and now I added music journalist, heh)... there's nothing wrong with what's there, mine woulda been way more in depth (the AC4HW1 review I just turned in is like 5 or 6 pages of detailed info, history and hands on analysis) because I am a detail oriented lunatic.

okay, I was supposed to write that but I got busy being a Dad, a working professional and a part time graphic artist (so many hats and now I added music journalist, heh)... there's nothing wrong with what's there, mine woulda been way more in depth (the AC4HW1 review I just turned in is like 5 or 6 pages of detailed info, history and hands on analysis) because I am a detail oriented lunatic.

I assume you're talking about the article. I think it's a great article for someone who's starting, lots of basic information and advices. But I think for someone who's a little more experienced a little more in-depth review would be better. Also it could be a series about different topics related to guitar strings or bass strings. Still, it's a great article.

Strings absolutely matter to the tone of an instrument. Flat, round, what kind of core, materials used, tension, scale length, environmentally sealed... it's all relevant.

You should take advantage of playing an instrument with extremely affordable strings. Guitar sets run anywhere from 3 to 8 bucks. Best advice from me is to go out and buy 4 or 5 different sets and get a feel for them. Make sure they are all different.

Nickel wounds will be warmer, bassier, and softer to the ear

Stainless Steel will be brighter, more treble, and sharp to the ear. They sound literally metallic with certain sets.

As a bass player, I enjoy lots of highs and mids in my sound while maintaining a deep tone under it all. I prefer long scale, high tension round-wound strings and usually go for nickle but have had some fun with the SS as well. It cost me hundreds of dollars to discover my taste preference though. Bass strings run between 25-60 bucks a set.

A biased suggestion would be to stay away from DR strings unless you plan to buy them often. They sound awesome but they go dead quickly.

I see, I've tried some Ernie Ball and Gibson sets (along with some other cheap lesser known brands) and I've liked them, I think the Ernie Ball strings are great. But I'm not sure which set to try out, I mean, I play drop D and half step down most of the time... is there any preferable gauge/tension for these tunings? Is there a preferable tension/gauge for my type of guitar? If so... How do I find out other than trying sets different sets?

okay, I was supposed to write that but I got busy being a Dad, a working professional and a part time graphic artist (so many hats and now I added music journalist, heh)... there's nothing wrong with what's there, mine woulda been way more in depth (the AC4HW1 review I just turned in is like 5 or 6 pages of detailed info, history and hands on analysis) because I am a detail oriented lunatic.

I assume you're talking about the article. I think it's a great article for someone who's starting, lots of basic information and advices. But I think for someone who's a little more experienced a little more in-depth review would be better. Also it could be a series about different topics related to guitar strings or bass strings. Still, it's a great article.

Yeah, I did not write the finished article. I got too busy to even get near it. What the other writer turned in was definitely for young guys. Not how I woulda written it.

I see, I've tried some Ernie Ball and Gibson sets (along with some other cheap lesser known brands) and I've liked them, I think the Ernie Ball strings are great. But I'm not sure which set to try out, I mean, I play drop D and half step down most of the time... is there any preferable gauge/tension for these tunings? Is there a preferable tension/gauge for my type of guitar? If so... How do I find out other than trying sets different sets?

you need to assess your tonal goals as well as the situation.... that means the instrument, the recording or performance environment.... its a lot....

on electric just pick a gauge and material and make it your own... acoustic is like, whoa duder... I too am a violinst/violist, on acoustic guitar its very similar to classical strings, on electric? questionable.... flat wounds are certainly their own thing and I love 'em... the whole thing is more subtle than amp or speaker selection on electric guitar! what makes you more comfortable as a stylist? If your playing is relaxed and comfortable then its immediately going to sound better and more tuneful than if you are straining yourself to meat soe artificial artistic benchmark for tone!