GAS fix, new axe.

Subject: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Mooh
Date: 17 Jul 04 - 04:20 PM

So I'm mindlessly scanning the classifieds on my (soon to be former) employer's internet server and I see a Norman guitar for sale. I call, I visit, I buy. Solid cedar top dreadnought with cherry back and sides, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, absolutely lovely shape except for one top ding, and only two years old if the local shop is right about the serial number.

I'm sure it was only offered for sale because the setup was atrocious. String height was 5/16" at the 12th fret, nut slots were too wide, and the saddle was indented under the strings (common on these things). Twenty minutes was all it took to make it very playable, and in a week or two I'll replace the nut and saddle with bone, or maybe Tusq. In the meantime it's more than servicable.

Best hundred dollars (Cdn) I've spent in a long time, especially on a guitar. These Seagull, S&P, Norman et al are great bang for the buck, particularly used, but you've heard THAT here before.

In the next couple of weeks I expect to receive a guitar-bouzouki to help cure my MAS.

So, how are YOU dealing with instrument acquisition syndrome? How often do you need a fix? Do you trade or hoard? What's new this year to lust after?

Is this group therapy helpful?

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 17 Jul 04 - 07:19 PM

I cured my GAS by quitting a good-paying job about three years ago and becoming a self-employed artist. Prior to that lifestyle change I bought at least one instrument a year and peaked at three or four a year during the last three years of my regular employment. Since then, the only thing I've had a strong yearning for is a square-neck resonator guitar. I've been making do with an extension nut on my round-neck, but it just doesn't have the same sound as a square-neck. I'll get one someday, but it's not a high priority.

But if anybody has a square-neck they wanna get rid of, I may be receptive to talkin' trade. Send me a PM.

Bruce

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: mooman
Date: 17 Jul 04 - 08:44 PM

I got a reso this year which I play all the time so my GAS is fixed for now. What with that and my jazz archtop and my Lakewood and my classical and my electric and the 100+ year old parlour guitar I use for slide, the Good Lady McMoo thinks I have enough guitars already, not to mention the mandolin and octave mandolin and full latin percussion set and my flute. But I expect I shall eventually think of something. (I did actually sell three instruments to finance some of the newer acquistions!). What a terrible affliction, this GAS.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Bobert
Date: 17 Jul 04 - 09:26 PM

Well, since the beginning of the year I have sold three guitars and bought none...

... but I need another resonator. My Regal stell bodied is fine fir what its fine fir but I'm gonna need a dobro style reso fir jammin' with the folks at Archie Edwards Barber Shop in D.C... I've been trying to keep up with either my old D-18 Martin or my two year old Hohner but I hate store bought finger picks. Thats what fingers is for! But I'm fallin' behind without a wood bodied reso...

I do have one other guitar which I am not playing much and if someone has a decent playin' (looks don't matter) to trade it's a 1935 Gobson tenor... Plays and sounds great fir a tenor. Might of fact, its the best tenor I've ever owned out of a half a dozen of them...

As fir GAS... I did have a major temptattion. A 1932 National, S-style, plectum tricone... in perfect condition.... Oh, how I wanted that guitar! It was down at Picker Supply in Fredricksburg< va. and Bran Dillard, the owner, brought it out from his office just to mess wid me. I played it fir about 10 minutes and figured that I just needed to hand it back to him and say, "Ahhhh, no thanks" which is what I did...

Thought about that guitar every day for a month and called back. It was sold. $4000.00! Hey, I coulda borrowed that much and should have!
Danged...

Bobert

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Mudlark
Date: 17 Jul 04 - 10:48 PM

I recently gave in to a long held wish for what the trade sometimes calls a "beach house" guitar. I live in very hot country, and have become more and more reluctant to take my lovely old 016 Martin with me if I'm going to have to leave it in the car for any length of time. Did a lot of looking, finally ended up with a Hohner laminate with a spruce top. About the same size as the Martin, but very jazzy looking, streaky wood, high polish. But the action is good, and the sound is surprisingly good too, if a little on the brassy side, like its looks.

I'm not into naming things that don't come when called, but I'm tempted to name this tarty good time Charlene with the loud voice something more fitting than just "my cheap guitar."

Even on my limited budget this was affordable, about $200 including a well-padded gig bag and a set of expensive strings to replace the picture wire it was originally strung with. And I find that since I don't feel the need to keep it cased I pick it up more often. Space in my tiny house is becoming a problem now, however, with 3 guitars, 2 dulcimers and an autoharp. The dogs are beginning to complain...

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: John Hardly
Date: 17 Jul 04 - 10:55 PM

The Norman sounds like a great deal. I regularly jam with a guy who has one much like you describe -- but beat to heck. Still sounds good and plays well though.

I had my old cheap Yamaha fixed up a bit so I could take it on the road to art fairs.

I was also lucky enough to have found a good deal (at Elderly's) on a Bruce Weber Flatiron mandolin. I bought it earlier this year and have really enjoyed it.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Bobert
Date: 17 Jul 04 - 11:30 PM

Mudlark,

I'm bought one, too. I love it and actually prefer it for performing than my old D-18. I did get a pickup installed in it but, hey, what a great cheapie guitar....

Bobert

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Mudlark
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 12:30 AM

Yeah, Bobert, and that brassy loud sound can hold its own against 2 banjos and a 12-string, in the little pickup string band I play in. My beautiful old mellow Martin, so great for solo work, kinda got lost in the shuffle...skiffle...whatever...

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Terry K
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 01:47 AM

I had GAS imposed on me last month when I was on a golfing trip to New Jersey. You pay in dollars the same figure as we pay in UK pounds. At a conversion of $1.80 to the pound it doesn't take too much to work out that this is a "buying opportunity". I visited the wonderful Mandolin Brothers store and came out some time later with a Collings OM2H and a big silly grin all over my face. It's a delight and I reckon that if I had started with this guitar (4 years ago) I'd be at least a year or so ahead of where I am now.

cheers, Terry

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: jonm
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 04:20 AM

Major GAS problem.....

I have a Seagull, sounds great, I keep comparing it with others in shops (few and far between - I'm left handed) and realised many times over the last couple of years that there is nothing around at a sensible price (say under £1000) which compares.

As a result, I have spent a bit here and there to keep the GAS at bay - fancy G7 capos, pickups and other toys. I usually borrow an Ashdown Acoustic Radiator for gigs and nearly bought one for under £200 a while back, now I see the prices are back up to nearer £400.

I decided on a travel guitar and eventually found a Baby Taylor lefty which I added to the arsenal (which, by the way, also includes a Wheatstone concertina, Fylde mandolin and a couple of battered accordions).

What problem? I desperately want a high-end guitar, hand made because that's the only way to go if you're left handed.

I have found and tried Taylors and I'm afraid although they do exactly what it says on the tin, I've found the tone anodyne and characterless at prices of £1300 and over. High-end Martin's I've tried don't really suit my fingerstyle stuff.

I'd love a Brook. I can possibly afford the £800 Bovey travel guitar, which is vastly better than any normal travel instrument but still not something you could use in general gigging or in sessions due to volume and small-body tone considerations. Brook make wonderful small instruments - parlour guitars and 00's, all for about £1600 and while they'd be ideal for solo gigs or with guitar/whistle, guitar/mandolin and guitar/guitar duos, all of which I play in, they are not quite what I want for sessions or American old-time with a fiddle as I play occasionally. A good Martin would do for that, though.

Fylde make some lovely mid-size guitars which are designed for fingerstyle and would do everything I want, but again I can't really try any of these before I place an order....

Alan Marshall of Northworthy makes great instruments and I said to him when he first started out that one day I'd buy one, but they are even more money...

What really bothers me is this: I don't make money from music - probably cover expenses and that's it. I like it that way (not having to worry about all the gear with the Paddy's day drunks etc.). My good lady even goes the guilt trip when I buy the small stuff, strings and things, but it's my main hobby - golf, for example, is outrageously expensive, I'm glad I never wanted to play! I DO make money from the day job. It's a good wage, although the hours I spend on it mean that very soon £40k a year turns into about £6 an hour! Much of my spare time and all holiday time is spent looking after my kids and my widowed brother's brood. My good lady is currently unemployed through no fault of her own, but is determined to wait for a job in the right field rather than seek general employment.

That's the background, and I don't hold any of that against anyone. I'd just like to be able to buy a really good guitar without feeling guilty that I'm depriving my family of some benefit or other, or "wasting" my hard-earned on luxuries. I used the old "it followed me home - can I keep it?" for the baby taylor, but the next guitar will be a real life purchase I suppose I can't really justify.

In that position, it's galling to read some of the gear lists you guys have and I do wonder how you manage to support that.

My two penn'orth,   jonm

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 09:18 AM

Yes, GAS is a problem. I'm still working on the Hagstrom BJ12E that I hope will be with me soon, and then all I need to do is sort out what electrics to put in my OM1. I've got the punt paddle (=wet weather and festival guitar - a Morris) working OK. But then that's it. Honest. No more guitars. Not until I can play them properly...

But then a swede or superswede would be nice to go with the Hag III plank, and maybe a good mandolin, like a Docherty or something, to supplement the Saga Kentucky flatiron...

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: mooman
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 10:39 AM

I have my Dochery octave mandola Richard (....yeah!!!) but like the daft bugger I am I sold my pristine Hagstrom translucent red, flamed maple Superswede I had from new in the 70s (lent to many illustrious players when I was younger). When I see the price they command now....! Mind you, it's weight from round my neck (were they the heaviest electric guitar ever I wonder?)

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Amos
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 10:52 AM

Mudlark:

You can hang all your instruments on the walls by yokes and store the cases under the beds. Let the dogs know you're doing all this for them!!

A

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Once Famous
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 11:12 AM

Everytime I buy another guitar, I say that I am now a complete person.

It is like being a reformed alcoholic or reformed cigarette smoker.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Amos
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 11:30 AM

I hate taking either of my Martins to beaches or dusty campsites, but I love to play in such places. So I was cruising and perusing and lo! here's a D-scale guitar for under $200. I am impressed, I think.

Click here

Does anyone know anything about these Carl Robellis?

A

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: GUEST,Mooh
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 11:31 AM

Yeah, I noticed they're advertising Swedes again. Brings back memories...

I've traded away most of everything that had value as trades, Washburn guitar and bass, Takamine guitar, Godin bass, Gibson B-something guitar (boy was that stupid), S&P flattop, etc, and I'm left with a stable of handmade acoustics and factory electrics. Time to stock up again with beaters and stuff to turn a marginal profit.

I'd love a good square neck resonator like you guys are talking about. I've played flattops on my lap for years and even owned an old Fender lapsteel once upon a time...but my heart just aches for a good steel... The folks from the band Daybreak were visiting in order to practice in my little teaching space and the guy had two Sheerhorns...thought I'd found heaven.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Mudlark
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 01:41 PM

Amos...those Robelli guitars are in the "NOW you tell me" category. As to hanging instruments on my walls, what then would I do with all the paintings? A quandry, partially solved by putting instrument ON whatever furniture case is under. How many chaires do I need, after all.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 02:50 PM

Mooh, you probably know this but the Superswede is very different from the Swede despite looking similar at a glance. I've never measured it but I'm told the pickups turned out about 3 volts, which for the time was just gigantic. From the front the giveaway is the zero fret on the superswede. Body shape is also a little different. from the back it's the cover plate over the fixing bolts on the Swede neck - the Superswede had a set neck.

Now the differences between the various Hagstrom J-45s (and other serial numbers for the same guitar, and the Bjarton - badged identical ones interest me far more and I am gradually learning. So far there are the tailpiece ones and the pegbridges, the set necks and the bolt ons, and definitely two different bracing patterns in the pegbridges. I'd like a complete set but no-one knows how many variants there are because when the Bjarton factory closed down the records were lost and there is no known serial number list...

I've also seen string trees on some but I don't yet know if all the bolt-on necks had string trees rather than angled heads...

Oh shit, now I want to buy another one....

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Mooh
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 10:43 PM

I'm pretty rusty on Hagstroms now, but years ago I loved their tone cause it was so different than what my Fender and Gibson ears were used to, and yet it had balls. I'd love to find an old one now and set it up for lap steel.

Weren't the Hagstrom string trees of the variety that all the strings went under? I have a similar one left over from a '60s Kent that I'd like to install on my Ernie Ball electric which has truly lousy headstock geometry.

Tinker, tinker, tinker...

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Big Mick
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 11:00 PM

Mooh, you are going to love that cedar top. I have said many times here that the sweetest guitar I ever owned was a cedar topped Seagull that I paid $225.00 US for. Action like butter, sound got better every day, balance across the strings, I just don't know how it could have been better.

Having said that, I have determined that I may not die until I own a Laskin. I have played Stan Roger's Laskin, I have played several others, I have visited Grit's shop, I have seen the care that goes into the building and the inlays. These guitars are absolutely beautiful creations. The good news is that they sound and play better than they look!!! I will have one, one day.

Cute story. When I was in Toronto to perform at Rick's CD release on CIUT, I noticed that there were a bunch of Calton Cases. I have a Calton Case and am a huge believer in them. The above mentioned Seagull was lost due to me not having a quality case. So I purchased one for my Larrivee. So I get to the CD release and as I watch the other performers open their Calton cases, they were all pulling out Laskins. I told them I had a Laskin Lite, and pulled out my Larrivee.

I will have a Laskin one day. And that will be the end of my GAS. Well,...... maybe not.

All the best,

Mick

Mick

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 19 Jul 04 - 12:42 AM

I thought I was pretty much through with GAS, but wound up buying a Taylor 30th anniversary model. I told the salesperson that'd I'd buy it if he ate the sales tax. Well, he did. Also found someone who wanted my Santa Cruz model H, so that'll help.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: MAG
Date: 19 Jul 04 - 01:57 AM

I only sold my beloved Tak dreadnought because I couldn't play it anymore, due to frozen shoulder syndrome. It was the first decent guitar I owned and I realized what a difference it made, in spite of a slight neck bowing problem.

I hope the person who bought it loved it as much as I did, and plays it a lot.

The cash, though, helped pay for the (new) Webber OO, and that had me wishing I had had a guitar of its caliber lo those many years ago ...

Scottish, MAG

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: MAG
Date: 19 Jul 04 - 01:59 AM

PS: Phil, the local NPR folkie DJ mentioned you and Margaret on his show last Saturday. He met you once in New York, or something.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Jeri
Date: 19 Jul 04 - 11:41 AM

I wish I could afford a Laskin. (Sounds like a good first line.)

I love this Martin 00-17, but it's lacking in a few respects: the neck's just a wee bit too fat (could have it shaved), it's got a decent amount of sound for the size, but I'd like a little more, and the bass end doesn't stand out very much. The other thing is that saddle placement thing that all Martins seem to have. You get the 5th and 6th strings in tune, and then they get sharper the farther you go up the neck. I think a lot of people don't hear it or don't notice it (without using a tuner) but it drives me nuts. Rick Fielding used to cut a new slot in the bridge and move the saddle back a bit, and it worked. I am NOT about to go sawing away on a Martin, though.

The Guild D-4 I bought when I couldn't play, the one that inspired me to learn, has a great sound at a bit more than half the price of the Martin. Not quite as good as the Martin in most respects, but the bass is actually better. It's just too flippin' big, though.

There's a Vermont luthier who makes (not just) small-bodied, small-necked guitars   that sound BIG: Running Dog Guitars. If I win a lottery...

I cruise the shops looking for the guitar of my dreams, or at least one I like better than the Martin. There was ONE Larrivee that had possiblilities, but I wasn't sure enough to put my little Mollie up for sale. I still remember that beat-all-to-hell 00-18 that Rick let me play when I was in Toronto in 2001. I made a lot of jokes about sneaking it home with me when I left, but Rick said "this isn't the guitar you want." He eventually sold it to get one he felt comfortable playing hard. I miss that guitar very much, but it's probably nostalgia. You know - the 'one that got away' is always better than the one you manage to land.

Onward with the search. When I find 'it', I'm gonna have a small representation of the Holy Grail inlaid on it someplace.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Once Famous
Date: 19 Jul 04 - 12:44 PM

Amos, I don't know if someone mentioned it, but Carlo Robelli is a house brand of the Sam Ash chain stores. Instruments are made in China. OK for banging 'em out at the beach or if you need to keep the bonfire going.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Grab
Date: 19 Jul 04 - 02:20 PM

Yeah, I saw a nice Norman in a shop over here a few months back - £180 and the best deal in the shop. Same time as a lovely 12-string which I really wish now that I'd bought, but I couldn't afford it at the time.

Jonm, have a look at second-hand Lowdens if you can find them (rosewood sides/back sounds best to most players I know, although the cedar/spruce top question is personal taste). You might be lucky enough to pick up one second-hand at about that mark, although the lefties will of course be rarer and more expensive than the "regular" variety. Just as playable as a Taylor, but much more depth of sound to them - basically they're about the ideal fingerstyle guitar. New Lowdens unfortunately are expensive.

Avalons are very similar to Lowdens and cheaper, so a solution might be to look at the better Avalons. I've played a few, and they're lovely guitars. (Note that there's a complicated bit of legal stuff involved between George Lowden who used to work for the company now called Avalon, and Avalon who used to be called "Lowden Guitars" until GL left - very bitter infighting, but lovely guitars!) Not at all impressed by Martins for fingerstyle though - you can do much better than that.

Two good places to look - Coda Music in Stevenage and Luton, and The Guitar Centre in London. Both have good ranges of mid-high end guitars.

Graham.

PS. Disclaimer - I'm a Lowden owner who's sorted GAS by having a 6-string so lovely that I can't imagine buying another. :-) Won't stop me getting a 12-string/bass/mandola, but no more 6-strings... Incidentally, bought out of overtime bonus money too.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Mooh
Date: 19 Jul 04 - 04:20 PM

I notice today that the 12th Fret website has a '93 Beneteau listed for very good money. Too bad I already have 3, and am pretty determined not to duplicate guitars of the same purpose, though I suppose I could argue that it would do for alternate tunings.

I figure GAS can't be cured but it might be controlled if I had a guitar for every need. That means I still need resonators (square and round necks), acoustic bass (got electrics), classical (never happy with what I've had), archtop (the Harmony doesn't cut it), guit-jo and so what about a cure. Why do I suddenly feel selfish? Oh the shame!

Basses, mandolins, & banjos don't count, right?

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Gypsy
Date: 19 Jul 04 - 11:27 PM

Gee, i don't look at this as a problem. Awaiting the windfall, just until the paperwork settles, then another Masterworks dulcimer. One to travel,and one to stay home. Talk about luxury!

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 08:55 AM

Hi Mooh.

Yes both the acoustic and the electric hags (those with string trees) have a bar all the way across. Different hag electics sound very different from each other from Viking (semi, resembles a 335, a bit, used by one Presley) to the Kent bodies (thin, punky) to the Swede (very like a Les Paul) to the superswede (just monstrous). And the acoustics are just as eclectic up to and including the Jimmy-oval-hole jazzer (after James D'Acquisto).

As for the rest above, I'd rather the Santa Cruz than the Taylor.

Don't like many taks apart from the lawsuit martin copy dreadnoughts.

Every Lowden seems to sound different. Taste and try, before you buy!

Some Seagulls sound quite nice, but I've not yet heard one I'd call refined.

I have one friend who has a Washburn of all things that is really quite dignified - a big roar.

Some nice stuff in Hanks, some nice stuff in Andy's, some nice stuff in Mairants (underwhelmed by the Breedloves). Good deals on Gibsons in Rose-Morris - about a month ago they had a very nice woody-sounding (but with sustain) J-50. Not too jangly.

But I think I'll stay with the Hagstroms and my other "line" that is to say (pick one of the names, they are all the same) (Mugen, Daion Yamaki). Unless I decide I can afford an Armstrong (played by Andy Cavan; and Jay Turner in Mundy-Turner) or a Goodall as nice as William Pint's.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Mooh
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 07:46 PM

By the by, if anyone's going to the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival this year I might have my new guitar-bouzouki there, so don't be afraid to ask. I've got a vague promise that it will be ready by then. Also might have a new guitar to show. Both are products of Josh House Guitars. The guit-zouk is walnut/cedar/maple/purpleheart. I'm prepared to cream myself.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 10:08 PM

Richard,

   I understand the rather have a santa cruz than a taylor. I had the model H (koa wood back and sides) since 1992 and used it for CGCGCD tuning. Took the low resonance real well. The Taylor did as well. It's got a slightly shorter scale length and just felt good to the hand. I came to the conclusion awhie back that I was not a collector, so if I got a new guitar, something would have to go. I still have a Santa cruz OM/PW model that's just a great axe. Mooh has seen it in fact.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 11:15 PM

Spoke with Grit Laskin yesterday. This damn thread has got me starting to think of ways to pull off this guitar. I am going to end up dead or divorced, but I must have a Laskin.

THANKS A LOT, YOU BUNCH OF LAYABOUTS!!!!!

Mick

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 11:20 PM

If it's the former, could you will it to me? Thanks.

Love,
Jeri

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Mooh
Date: 21 Jul 04 - 06:26 AM

Mick, you're very welcome!

Jeri, I guess the line forms behind you then.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Jeri
Date: 21 Jul 04 - 10:08 AM

Well, my comment was somewhat inconsiderate, and I apologise. I should have said 'please'. There is, however, a slight problem with finally getting your dream guitar and then croaking.

Better to remain alive and married, and ask Grit if you get the 2-for-1 special. Cedar sounds good to me, so does rosewood, koa, maple. A little malachite here, a little turquoise, aventurine, abalone there...

Ahhh...if wishes were guitars, we'd all play Laskins...or Martins or Larrivees, Gibsons, cheap-ass pawn shop finds that sound like a million bucks, or a beat-to-hell old 00-18 named 'Woody'. And each one of those babies will sound as great through the years as they did in our memories and dreams.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 22 Jul 04 - 04:05 AM

Thread creep setting in -

1.    For those whose estates will be subject to English law I can do wills or codicils leaving instruments to specified beneficiaries - but I do not advise on inheritance tax...

2.    What strings did you use, Phil, for that CGCGCD tuning? Some of my guitars are likely to be used for a recording project for an "unplugged" album by a local metal band, and they will want the guitars tuned to CGCFAD and I am collecting suggestions! Most of my guitars use standard lights (eg 12-52) but one 13-5 or 13-58, in Spanish tuning.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 22 Jul 04 - 11:26 PM

I use generic strings like Martin Marquis, I believe. I get the phosphor bronze light guage, standards, like you use. The Santa Cruz I used to have that I used for that tuning really took the low C well and the strings didn't whimp out. I think Martin Carthy uses slightly heavier gauges (at least he mentioned something about that on a video I got a few years back). I tried elixer light gauge strings as well, but miss the bronze wound fret buzz (not really a buzz, but there seems to be a bite with those that the elixers lack, so buzz may be a poor term). I generally get the strings a dozen sets at a time, for a decent price. I suspect I can get away with the lower tunings on light strings because I'm not playing real hard most of the time. Hope the info helps.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Mudlark
Date: 23 Jul 04 - 12:17 AM

I got Elixer light wt.s put on my new cheapo Hohner, and like them a lot, am now thinking about putting them on my Martin. If I had the money I would trade my treasured 016 New Yorker in on a Blue Lion any day...even tho I'm not nearly a good enough guitar player to deserve it.

Subject: RE: GAS fix, new axe.
From: Mooh
Date: 23 Jul 04 - 06:38 AM

I don't get away with light strings with lower tunings as I have to force the sound a bit on occassion, but Phil gets a lovely timbre all the time. I generally use D'Addario strings, though I tried Wyres lately and liked them. Sometimes string changes and general maintenance can light a fire under my ass where playing is concerned, so GAS can be fooled.

Peace, Mooh.

Thread closed temporarily because it's been a target for a heavy barrage of Spam. If you have something to add to the discussion, contact me and I'll reopen it. -Joe Offer-