21 replies to this topic

[schism1861]

Well I ordered the Epi today. Unfortunately everywhere on the planet was sold out of the Sunburst so I had to go with the solid black model. oh well i think i'll like that just fine. I went with the free shipping option though lol so I won't have it for about another week. I'll let you guys know what i think when I get it.

Thanks everyone for all your help and advice!

[schism1861]

okay got another question for you guys....
I wanted to go ahead and order at least 1 fresh set of strings so that i would have them on hand when the inevitable happens and one breaks, or if i just decide i'd rather go with a smaller set. was going to get the .009 or .010 as recommended.
I even decided that Ernie Ball was the way to go but there are still like a dozen options for Ernie Ball .009 strings on the website Conal mentioned......
So yeah, little guidance?

I'm also going to order some Fingerease and would like some recommendations for a cheap tuner.

[CavalryScout 81]

I think Conal recomended the pink ones ( .009 gauge). They are a good solid string set and thats all I use.

Honestly, settling on what strings to pick is a personal choice. Some people like light strings and some like heavy strings. For starting out, I would go for the pink ones. They are light, easy to bend and will tear up your fingers less at the start. When your ears and fingers get used to playing, then its the time to start nit-picking over your tone and strings.
When that time comes, experiment with different strings and you will find a set that suits you. For now, get the fundamentals down and have fun with it.

[ParadoxPP]

yeah, Ernie Balls super slinky( the pink ones ), but still, make sure your hand is not dry and that it is clean before you play, as to avoid rusting, every morning and every night, clean your strings with an old shirt or any rag

[Conal Cuan]

Yeh, I use .009. Ummm, I think the type are the 'Slinkies'. I'll just go look at the site... LOL

Ayup, Ernie Ball .009 Super Slinkies. As Dave says though, that's my personal choice according to my ear and my guitar. I have them on my Aria Pro 2, which has really high action so the Slinkies make it play like buttah!

Now that I can peek at the site, a good all-around string are the GHS Boomers. The naming conventions are a bit easier with them too, if you need to adjust. I'd buy the GB Lights. It's .010, which you won't notice, still not all that heavy to trash your fingers and a bit more sturdy to learn stringing and tuning. 3 sets. They don't go bad, just keep'em in a dry place.

Any 'ole tuner will do. Those Korgs are under $15 and servicable. Unless you really want to shell out and learn how to use tuning forks. You really only need it for one string, unless you want to get into drop D or alternate tunings. You can train your ear to do it eventually.

[ParadoxPP]

Conal Cuan, on 04 February 2012 - 04:57 PM, said:

Yeh, I use .009. Ummm, I think the type are the 'Slinkies'. I'll just go look at the site... LOL

Ayup, Ernie Ball .009 Super Slinkies. As Dave says though, that's my personal choice according to my ear and my guitar. I have them on my Aria Pro 2, which has really high action so the Slinkies make it play like buttah!

Now that I can peek at the site, a good all-around string are the GHS Boomers. The naming conventions are a bit easier with them too, if you need to adjust. I'd buy the GB Lights. It's .010, which you won't notice, still not all that heavy to trash your fingers and a bit more sturdy to learn stringing and tuning. 3 sets. They don't go bad, just keep'em in a dry place.

Any 'ole tuner will do. Those Korgs are under $15 and servicable. Unless you really want to shell out and learn how to use tuning forks. You really only need it for one string, unless you want to get into drop D or alternate tunings. You can train your ear to do it eventually.

there are some tricks to tune in alternative tunings with the ears, like comparing the 4th with the 6th to use drop D, altought it requires some ear trainig, I could only tune by ear on alternative tunings after 2 or 3 years

[CavalryScout 81]

Drop-D tuning isn't really hard to learn. Fret the fifth fret on the A string and lower the low E string to match its note. Easy peasy.

GHS Boomers are great and Guitar Center usually has them on sale. I just don't like their stiffness across the gauges. But you can't do better when you play hard on the strings. Slinkies tend to break when I play Raining Blood, !