Fret Filings - (Anne's Blog)

Friday, March 7, 2008

TIME FOR A CHANGE
Topic: Guitar

Not anything big. Just a guitar string change, actually. My Super Slinkies are all slinked out. They're slinkless. They've come unslunk (they didn't know what they were headed for, and when they found what they were headed for, it was too late, they've come unsluuuuunk). Well, you can tell it's a Friday, can't you? A snowed-in one, at that.

Really, though, my guitar has been crying out for a string changing for probably about two months now. And I always say 'as soon as I finish this tab, I'll do a change'. Then I finish the tab, and almost immediately get tinkering around with the next one. And having gotten into it and not wanting to slow the momentum, I say to myself 'as soon as I finish this tab, I'll do a change'. Etc.

But no more putting it off. Before the next tab, it has to get done. So probably tomorrow night, while I watch the hockey game, or something. Time to put the "zing" back in the string.

I remember once reading in a guitar magazine that you could get some extra life out of worn out strings by boiling them in water. So I tried it (this was a looong time ago) just to see what the effect would be. I took a worn out set off my guitar, gave them a boiling, and put them back on the guitar. And the result was...thud! I don't know, maybe it makes them cleaner, or something. Or maybe if you add salt while you boil, it'll make them tastier...for those of you who do the 'watch me play with my teeth' bit.

But they still sound just as dull as they did before. The article did say that this won't work miracles, but as far as I could see, it didn't do anything at all. So it was a one time experiment.

Nothing beats a fresh set of strings with that zing and brightness in them. They sound better, they feel better to play. And I "slink" a change will do me good.

Posted by planet/zerofret at 4:46 PM EST
Updated: Friday, March 7, 2008 4:56 PM EST
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Saturday, March 8, 2008 - 5:05 PM EST

Name: "Anne"
Home Page: https://www.angelfire.com/planet/zerofret

Check...check...check 1...check 2

I heard there might be a problem with posting comments. I tried it while not logged in, and sure enough, it didn't work. Now I'm trying it while logged in.

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Saturday, March 8, 2008 - 5:11 PM EST

Name: "Anne"

Well, it worked when logged in.

I checked my settings, nothing seems to have changed.

Let's try again not logged in.

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Saturday, March 8, 2008 - 10:34 PM EST

Name: "Rick"

Hi Anne

May I suggest you try a set of Gibson Vintage Reissue strings instead of your Super Slinkies

I have switched to these about 3 or 4 years ago and think they sound great

A good day today to change your strings with our beautiful winter storm here

And by the way nice tab of Patio Lanterns

I never could figure that song out

Keep up the good work

Rick

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Sunday, March 9, 2008 - 12:59 AM EST

Name: "Anne"
Home Page: https://www.angelfire.com/planet/zerofret

Hi Rick,

I see the comment posting is working again. Good. Thanks again for letting me know about the problem.

It occurred to me that my post might have left the impression that I'm unhappy with Slinkies in general, or looking to change string brands. Not the case. It's just the set on my guitar were well worn out, and I put a new set on tonight. However, I'm always interested in recommendations about things like that, and I will give the Gibson Vintage Reissues a try soon (if I can find them around here).

You're right, perfect day to sit around changing strings. That snow just kept coming. Not too many people thinking about "patio lanterns" today, I don't think. :-)

Unfortunately, tonight we lose that hour of sleep....

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