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So I finally changed the strings on my Jaguar....
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 4:47 am
by taylornutt
I had a little spare time today so I decided to polish up my electric guitars and change the strings on my Jaguar.
My Jaguar came to me perfectly setup with a Mustang bridge and strung up with Fender Stainless flatwound .11 gauge strings. I got the guitar almost 2 years ago and never changed them out. I had gotten used to the "plucky" flatwound sound. I decided they need to be changed since I am gigging the guitar tomorrow and it was long over due.
So I strung it up with DAddario Nickel Blues/Jazz Rock .11s that I put on my Tele and Musicmaster. What an incredible difference! I feel like I am hearing the guitar's tone for the first time. I had no idea that a flatwound string would sound so different from a normal string. I just assumed that was the character of the guitar not the FW strings. I am totally loving the Jaguar sound now and can't wait to gig her tomorrow night.
Ever made a little tweak that made a big difference? I also used a string winder bit in my old 9v drill and that really reduced my maintenance time.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:14 am
by Haze
The EXL115s are my set of choice for full and shortscales. I had gotten used to roundwounds on my jags so when I changed to flats, while I appreciated them, didn't prefer them to the sound I was used to. Flatwound strings can totally change an instrument, even one as unique sounding as a jaguar.
I imagine if you think all jags sound like yours did that some of the discussions about them sounded a bit off
Re: So I finally changed the strings on my Jaguar....
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 8:58 am
by johnnyseven
taylornutt wrote:I got the guitar almost 2 years ago and never changed them out.
I would suggest that this was a major factor for the huge variation in sound as well as the type of strings.
I have used the D-Addario EXL115 strings for years and love them.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:02 am
by benecol
Is this really a thread about changing the strings on a guitar? Jesus.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:08 am
by Dave
benecol wrote:Is this really a thread about changing the strings on a guitar? Jesus.
Fear not Tim discussion of dapper slippers and fine pipes will follow
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:13 am
by Dave
I should also add that after 2 years I finally changed my G-string. Was getting terribly musty and I swear it was beginning to saw me in half.
Boom-tish
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:42 am
by Haze
benecol wrote:Is this really a thread about changing the strings on a guitar? Jesus.
You've started three threads in the last three months, live a little. We're all here for either friends or guitars ya know
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 10:05 am
by benecol
I think there's a world of difference between contributing to a forum and needlessly starting threads. But I appreciate the research that went into your post. Maybe start a thread "I used the search function today".
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 10:13 am
by Mike
hahaha
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 2:51 pm
by SKC Willie
bahaha.
I thought the same thing but I was just more surprised that taylor was surprised that there was such a huge change. And also, that it took two years to finally get curious enough to take them off.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:43 pm
by ekwatts
If you were to lock him for years in an empty underground bunker, which contained nothing except a woolly tea cosy, he would not even be curious enough to be tempted to see if the tea cosy would make a serviceable hat.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 4:29 pm
by taylornutt
portugalwillie wrote:bahaha.
I thought the same thing but I was just more surprised that taylor was surprised that there was such a huge change. And also, that it took two years to finally get curious enough to take them off.
I just recently started a regular gig and the strings were in good condition so I never felt the need to change them. Just playing at home on my own.
I know lots of people don't like flatwound strings, but I just didn't expect to be such a dramatic difference. Not a lack of curiousity as much as it wasn't broken so I didn't feel a need to fix it. Now I know better.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 4:39 pm
by ekwatts
Just make sure you change the strings regularly, around every 12 months or so and you'll be fine.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 5:32 pm
by honeyiscool
It baffles me when some people don't consider the very source of tone in the signal chain. Different strings make completely different guitars.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 6:57 pm
by ekwatts
Nah, it's all down to body wood and the type of finish used. I find that guitar painted using paint stored in a aluminium alloy can using a synthetic bristle brush to be much brighter and toneful that guitars that are just sprayed.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:00 pm
by George
honeyiscool wrote:It baffles me when some people don't consider the very source of tone in the signal chain. Different strings make completely different guitars.
Actually the source of tone is your
fingers.
There, I think think you've just been out-blooz-lawyer'd.
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:00 pm
by George
DAT
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:04 pm
by gaybear
how do folks keep strings on for 2 years!?!
i thought i was bad about changing strings..haha
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:11 pm
by taylornutt
gaybear wrote:how do folks keep strings on for 2 years!?!
i thought i was bad about changing strings..haha
I have built 2 guitars in the last year (Baja Tele and Fender Musicmaster) so it has not been used as much.
Re: So I finally changed the strings on my Jaguar....
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:01 pm
by Ankhanu
johnnyseven wrote:taylornutt wrote:I got the guitar almost 2 years ago and never changed them out.
I would suggest that this was a major factor for the huge variation in sound as well as the type of strings.
To a degree, but likely a minor one. I'm speaking from bass experience, rather than guitar (I've never used flats on guitar), but Once flats lose their initial "brightness" (Which happens within about a week of playing), they maintain a fairly consistent tone for years on end. Again, at least with bass, the difference between flats and rounds is pretty astounding.
gaybear wrote:how do folks keep strings on for 2 years!?!
i thought i was bad about changing strings..haha
Ridiculous with rounds... not unusual with flats (again, bass
)