Guitar Tech Setup, Repair, Upgrade & Maintenance
Exceptional Guitar and Stringed Instrument Care
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Franklin Park, NJ | Franklin Township, Somerset County N.J.
Email: mattweinman@comcast.net
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String Differently
My Philosophy for Stringing
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Consultation to choose the optimal string gauges, tension, and materials for your instrument.
A personalized and flexible approach to stringing instruments.​
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Most instruments are overstrung with too much string tension, with a few exceptions, acoustic guitars are always overstrung. The he go-to gauge of 10-46* on many electric Guitars is sometimes too much tension. For any cordophone instrument, too much string tension can choke some or much of the life and tone out of an instrument. Indeed, if you are super happy with your stringing arrangement, that's great! I will gleefully oblige. I would, however, like you to consider ½ gauges and uncommon wound string gauges. Many musicians, even seasoned professionals, do not know about ½ and other uncommon string gauges. Such gauges have become more commonplace in recent years but are still largely ignored. D'Addario, Kurt Mangan, Ernie Ball, and Stringjoy manufacture these unusual string gauges. The difference can be huge in the playability and tone when utilizing ½ and uncommon string gauges.
Yes, string gauges do affect the tone; this is incontestable. Those who claim that it does not, I dare say, do not have the ear to hear it nor the sensitivity to feel it. In short, under-strung can sound thin, and over-strung can sound muddy. Yes, I am well aware of the many exceptions of well-known players who employ strings at both ends of the spectrum; far too many to list here. But alas, I stand by my supposition.
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Even if you are a Jazz or Metal guitarist who employs heavy gauge strings, a slight tweak to the lighter side of the string gauges can bring new life to your guitar. Another advantage is that your instrument will feel better under your fingers. It's a bit of a balancing act. The goal is to find the string tension/ gauges that bring out the best in your instrument yet not stray too far from your playing comfort zone. I also consider what the instrument "wants." Sometimes, the instrument "cries out" for a particular gauge for a specific string. Your preference is always part of the equation. So, your preference, your pitch (A= 440, or higher, A= 415, or lower), plus the instrument's "preference," and finding the right balance in the string tension from string to string, somewhere, there is a sweet spot in the stringing scheme that will bring out your instruments best tonal and playability qualities.
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*On paper, 10-46 is a nice balanced tension, however, in reality and to me, they often feel quite unbalanced.