Tonefiend Forum

Kinda makes me miss Ed Roman a little though R.I.P.

Well sure, but all the guy is really saying is that by picking different gauges for string sets than are normally found, one could achieve “optimized tension”. But we’re not building bridges here. Are we going to throw out the inspired performances of thousands of musicians because their string tension was not optimized according to this standard? Supposing people all start using optimized tension string sets, will the average quality of bar band music improve noticeably?

As far as the tests themselves go, I’d feel better if they were performed using a dual-blind technique.

I watched a Karl Verheyen “strings” video on YouTube and that seems a practical approach for that one individual. He has certain things he wants to accomplish with his Strat’s wang bar. At least that metric is closer to the desired end result – music. If others can get something they want by following that, wonderful.

I like to look at things objectively. The Zachary web site is terrible, the writing is bad, and the attitude is either bad humor, or obnoxious. The ideas presented may have some merit. The premise at least presents an interesting idea.

Some great players have touted the heavy bottom light top style string sets. Maybe they were working toward this idea. This is the first time I’ve seen anyone quantify it. The idea presented is to created a set of strings that gradually increases in tension from high to low. The slope of the progression is something might be looked at, or become a point of preference. This idea is obviously also best applied to a single tuning.

I don’t think string gauge has anything do with making great music. Then again, having the right gauge of strings improves the playing experience. The progressive tension idea might provide a better experience. How much better is up to the player.

i just got the strings in the mail today. I ordered them on Thursday with an email. They appeared to go in the mail on Friday, I received them on Monday. So, service is pretty good. I bought 5 sets of 10+ RW strings, these are optimized for Les Paul scale guitars.

I also Bought a set Baritone strings. I have yet to be happy with strings on my baritone guitar, they always feel floppy, and the G string sounded bad. I got the wound G string this time, I had been using a solid in the past.

The strings came in sort of a largish folded paper paper wrapper, looked a lot like most other string package. All 5 sets were in one wrapper each set bundled with a piece of tape. I guess he assumes that I’m smart enough to figure out which string is which.

The cost was $5 a set, the baritone strings were $12. These prices seem reasonable, didn’t feel like I was being over charged. The rub is you have to buy 5 sets. Shipping is $5 plus $0.25 per pack, though I think I was charged a little less than this. This makes the strings, at a 5 set purchase, about $5.45 a set, still reasonable.

More info to follow in the next few days…

Mitchell (AKA soggybag) gave ne a set, but I’m scared to try them! 🙂

After a little more play time I’ll give them a thumbs up. I feel they don’t offer anything on the “magical materials” dept. No “nano-web coating” or special metallic compounds, they just feel like like you bog standard stainless steel. I would say they they feel like smoother brand strings, not like the D’addario pro-steels, which feel a little like a fine sand paper.

The progressive tension thing seems noticeable. Before putting on the Zog strings I played a while with the old strings trying to feel the difference in tension between strings. I didn’t really notice much difference. After putting on the new strings, I noticed a difference. Most notably on the bass side, which feels much stiffer. Not sure if I’ve been brain washed by the pay-ops web site, but I think the strings do feel more evenly tensioned. Whether this is good or bad is up to the player. My impression is that it is a small improvement. Then again after a week I may not like it.

For the record the previous strings we’re D’addario nickel 9s, while the new set are stainless 10s. This may account for some of my perceived difference. It really feels like I moved one gauge on the treble side and 1 1/2 to 2 gauges on the bass side, the E and A strings are binding the nut they are so large.