3rd string guage (E9) and loudness

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

Moderator: Dave Mudgett

User avatar
Brad Sarno
Posts: 4958
Joined: 18 Dec 2000 1:01 am
Location: St. Louis, MO USA
State/Province: -
Country: United States

3rd string guage (E9) and loudness

Post by Brad Sarno »

Have people found that too light of a 3rd string makes the string quieter thru the pickup. I messed with it once and it seemed like a .012" was louder than a .011".

Anyone?

Thanks,
Brad Sarno
St. Louis
clive swindell
Posts: 720
Joined: 14 Oct 1999 12:01 am
Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by clive swindell »

I was told by Jeff Newman to use a .012 for the third string as it 'sounds better'. Cant say I have noticed that it was any louder.
jim milewski
Posts: 951
Joined: 18 Nov 1998 1:01 am
Location: stowe, vermont
State/Province: Vermont
Country: United States

Post by jim milewski »

I went to a .012 for a fatter sound, seems to be a bit louder as well,I think .010 are used by some players, then I went to .015 for the fourth, pedal steel is that type of instrument that always urges you to try something new. I use strings from musicians friend, 12 strings in bulk for 3 bucks, not sure what the verdict is on that yet, just remember hearing that there were only a few makers of strings and many were the same
User avatar
Erv Niehaus
Posts: 27179
Joined: 10 Aug 2001 12:01 am
Location: Litchfield, MN, USA
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Erv Niehaus »

I always like to go with a little heavier string. It just seems fuller and richer. I've used a 12 gauge on the 3rd string for quite a while and will stay with it.
Erv
User avatar
Bobby Lee
Site Admin
Posts: 14863
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Cloverdale, California, USA
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Bobby Lee »

I use a Jagwire .0115 for that reason. It's louder and richer sounding than an .011.
User avatar
Michael Johnstone
Posts: 3862
Joined: 29 Oct 1998 1:01 am
Location: Sylmar,Ca. USA
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Michael Johnstone »

On certain pickups like the Dan Shields CT-1,there are adjustable screws under each string and by moving them up or down,individual strings can be balanced quite well regardless of your string guage preference.I wish more pickups had this valuable feature. -MJ-
User avatar
Jim Smith
Posts: 7949
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Midlothian, TX, USA
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Jim Smith »

Jim Pitman's new pickup has the adjustable screws. I'm looking forward to trying them in my new Fessy D-12 that Jerry is working on. Image
User avatar
Doug Beaumier
Posts: 16058
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Northampton, MA
State/Province: Massachusetts
Country: United States

Post by Doug Beaumier »

I've been using .010 for 30 years <font size=-1>(no... not the same one!).</font> The tone is a bit "thin" but the string rarely breaks.

------------------
<font size=-1>My Site - Instruction | Doug's Free Tab | Steels and Accessories</font>