STRING CHOICE

[colin m]

I m thoroughly enjoying your lessons but I have a problem in choosing the correct type of strings for my ECHO guitar. I need a relatively soft sting that will easily bend under touch but my local music shop has a limited range. What make of strings do you use and gauge.
Many thanks
Colin

[Michael Krailo]

Instead of changing strings, have you considered simply tuning down a 1/2 or whole step to increase the bendability of your guitar? You can still capo up to standard pitch when needed. The only annoyance would be the fretboard dots not lining up like you might already used to.

Go slow and practice correct technique, and your abilities will dramatically improve.

[Richard G]

Hi Colin,
This is a favourite question that pops up regularly. There are a few things you can do to help your bends.

* Do as Michael suggests above, ie tune a semi or tone down.
* Try thinner gauge strings than you currently use.
* Try out a guitar with a shorter scale length, they’re slightly easier to bend.

All these actions come with a compromise. Thinner strings will generally produce a thinner sound but if you’re going thro’ an amplifier/pedals etc., you can mitigate that somewhat.

I personally use Elixir Phosphor Bronze – Nanoweb 11-52 (Custom Light) on a Martin D35. Full tone bends are not possible for most of us on acoustic guitars so we make adjustments, ie. Hammer-ons, slides etc.

Richard

[San Luis Rey]

On acoustic I have stepped down to 10 ga. Elixir nanoweb considered extra light. These are coated strings that cost a bit more but sound great and last longer. I’m assuming your Echo is acoustic but you have no profile filled out.

Mike

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