nut and string gage
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- gkwallace
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nut and string gage
I built a strat from random parts I had laying around and it wasn't quite right so it sat in the corner for a couple years. Yesterday I got inspired to make it play. I did a full setup and filed the nut properly and it is actually a good player now. My question is I cut the nut for 10-48's and I want to switch to 9's or even 8's. Did I just screw myself by filing the nut for the thicker strings?
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Re: nut and string gage
No, it doesn't matter in that range much. If you want up to 14s or something silly, that might be a different story.
BTW- 8s are awesome. I was biased against lighter strings for years, but Dunlop sent me some of their Billy Gibbons 8s, and they're awesome.
BTW- 8s are awesome. I was biased against lighter strings for years, but Dunlop sent me some of their Billy Gibbons 8s, and they're awesome.
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- gkwallace
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Re: nut and string gage
I was biased also. I've been a metal guy forever but I'm just not inspired anymore so I thought I'd switch things up a bit. I'm going to buy some of those strings right now.JMPGuitars wrote: ↑Fri 12/13/24 12:59 pmNo, it doesn't matter in that range much. If you want up to 14s or something silly, that might be a different story.
BTW- 8s are awesome. I was biased against lighter strings for years, but Dunlop sent me some of their Billy Gibbons 8s, and they're awesome.
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- Bieworm
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Re: nut and string gage
My pick attack is too heavy fir anything lighter than 11’s
I use the GHS boomers 11-50 or the Ernie Ball 11-48 the most.
The fact that I cut off half of my left thumb in 2007 makes me press my chords harder than I want, so lighter strings are always pitching sharp from that pressure
I use the GHS boomers 11-50 or the Ernie Ball 11-48 the most.
The fact that I cut off half of my left thumb in 2007 makes me press my chords harder than I want, so lighter strings are always pitching sharp from that pressure
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- gkwallace
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Re: nut and string gage
One of the reasons I want lighter strings is I really want to get my vibrato nice. I don't put in the hours on guitar anymore and my hands always hurt from work. Getting old sucks.
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Re: nut and string gage
That's more of a habit thing than anything else. You could learn to play lighter strings with some practice, but if you're happy with 11s, who cares? Play what you enjoy.Bieworm wrote: ↑Sat 12/14/24 12:52 pmMy pick attack is too heavy fir anything lighter than 11’s
I use the GHS boomers 11-50 or the Ernie Ball 11-48 the most.
The fact that I cut off half of my left thumb in 2007 makes me press my chords harder than I want, so lighter strings are always pitching sharp from that pressure
For me, there's almost no thumb necessary with 8s. Certainly doesn't need any pressure. Which is great since I had surgery a few weeks ago and I can already play a little now.
Pick attack is no excuse though.
Satriani covers a little of it after about 30 minutes in the lesson video, but the whole video is pretty cool:
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Re: nut and string gage
I’m not picking on 11 all the time Josh. I think I can do nuance pretty well.. even with 11’s
https://youtu.be/nlof9yXvG9Y?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/nlof9yXvG9Y?feature=shared
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Re: nut and string gage
I guess going 11 to 15 is nuance too. 

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- Bieworm
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Re: nut and string gage
It’s just a matter of perspective
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