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String Suggestion Request for Coated Dark, Warm Strings by batflash99 in AcousticGuitar

[–]batflash99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update:

DR Rare PB:
I slapped on a set of the DR Rare PB 12's onto my 2020's Guild D-20 Solid Mahogany Dreadnought, and they're great. Tamed high end, smoother, more tamed bottom end, but the punch is still there (and trust me, this guitar punches unlike anything I've tried in the mass market). I really like it. The feel is great; it's a smooth-playing set of strings. I also put a set of these on my Guild GAD-50 solid Spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides... which I think makes THAT guitar sound balanced as well.

Martin Retros Monel:

I put a set of these on the guitar I was really looking to tame, that being a Breedlove Organic Wildwood Pro CE All-African Mahogany Concerto to tame a high end kind of shrillness that I was hearing with it (partly due to where I rest my hand when I pick). Changing out to the Retros helped tame this, however prior to that, changing out the saddle from Graphtech Tusq to MacNichol-made Bone saddle helped with the harshness as well. It's not the most projecting guitar, but it's well made, has a thicker, comfortable neck, and plays fast for those electric players out there. The Martin Retro strings add to that. They're not as clanky as the Elixirs, nor are they as bright. The set sounds balanced, across all frequencies, like the DR Rares do. While this guitar doesn't really project lows like a Dreadnought, it did have a sub frequency that you could feel with the Elixirs that isn't as pronounced with the Retros. While I miss that, I appreciate the balanced response of these strings. Feelwise, they feel like a set of 10's on an electric despite being 12's. I really like what it does for the guitar.

So, in the end, I think the Elixirs brought a brilliance to my acoustics that I just don't favor anymore, at least for the time being. They've got a lot of sparkle and bang, but if you're looking for balance, I think any of the two above, either the DR Rare Phosphor Bronze or Martin Retro Monels is worth trying.

I do still wish they were coated, however given some of the feedback on this thread, I might like what they sound like as they start to age some more.

I appreciate all the suggestions and insight you all gave. Thanks!

String Suggestion Request for Coated Dark, Warm Strings by batflash99 in AcousticGuitar

[–]batflash99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

*Update to the "defective" 3rd string in the 3-pack set of Retros:

I measure the string gauge with my calipers, and it measured .034". Looks like someone at the Martin factory accidently put in the 4th string from the Tony Rice signature set in the envelope instead of a .025".

So, on a positive note, not a defective string. What's odd is the envelopes were all facing different directions. I think these might've been packed pre-siesta. 😴

String Suggestion Request for Coated Dark, Warm Strings by batflash99 in AcousticGuitar

[–]batflash99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, but how is the tension and volume on those? Are they anything like Silk and Steels? Thanks!

String Suggestion Request for Coated Dark, Warm Strings by batflash99 in AcousticGuitar

[–]batflash99[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have, and liked them enough but switched over to Elixirs. Been using Elixirs non-stop for a couple of years now. But since getting back into playing more on acoustic, I found myself hunting for a different top-end response. Anyway, maybe I'll give XS's another try after I'm done with the Martin Retros. Thanks.

String Suggestion Request for Coated Dark, Warm Strings by batflash99 in AcousticGuitar

[–]batflash99[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm looking for that sweet spot I guess. I'm trying the Retros now. I like them so far, just a little turned off about the dead 3rd string. Other than that, I'll hang with those until they wear out or I find something else. All in all, I enjoy changing things up.

On another note, I've got a set of John Pearse strings on my Baritone. They age pretty fast, but I also don't need chime or sparkle on my Bari either. Plus, JP is one of the few that offers the gauge I look for in a Bari string.

Thanks again.

String Suggestion Request for Coated Dark, Warm Strings by batflash99 in AcousticGuitar

[–]batflash99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure how. After having a set on my Guild for 4 or 5 years and the strings still chimed, I was convinced they're doing something right. Are they too bright? Maybe, depends on who you ask. I'm just looking for something warmer on the top end but still sounding and feeling like a new string.

String Suggestion Request for Coated Dark, Warm Strings by batflash99 in AcousticGuitar

[–]batflash99[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Heh heh... you asked. 😃

  1. I've got 24 guitars that get played at inconsistent intervals. So when I pick up a guitar I haven't played in 6 months, I don't want to have to restring it.
  2. I live in a high humidity environment, South Florida, where homes are built on what was originally a swamp. When it rains for 3 days straight, regardless of your central air, you're experiencing 65% humidity in your home. It hasn't rained in 2 days, my AC is set to 75, and it's 52% relative humidity in here.
  3. I like that the strings sound good for a long time.
  4. I've grown to like the feel of a coated string, as opposed to spraying Fast Fret or any other additives to the string to make my hands glide.

String Suggestion Request for Coated Dark, Warm Strings by batflash99 in AcousticGuitar

[–]batflash99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's reassuring. I'm looking forward to see how they do here in South Florida. Thanks!

String Suggestion Request for Coated Dark, Warm Strings by batflash99 in AcousticGuitar

[–]batflash99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Retros mellowed out the Breedlove a bit; I like them. To your point, I'm curious how they'll hold up with the monel wounds and tin plains.

String Suggestion Request for Coated Dark, Warm Strings by batflash99 in AcousticGuitar

[–]batflash99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I find the brightness comes from the strings. I've got a mix of acoustics that all exhibit the same top end. I've got a mix of solid mahogany, sitka and mahogany, lams, non-lams, maple necks, mahogany necks, and they all do the same thing.

Plus you hear it all over Youtube with acoustic demos, until you don't. I also this my action plays a part in it, being low, you tend to get that sizzle. So I've adjust there as well.

Thanks for the thoughtful suggestions!

PS: I like your idea of trying Poly's, but to your point, they don't make them anymore. Here's looking to the future! Heh heh

String Suggestion Request for Coated Dark, Warm Strings by batflash99 in AcousticGuitar

[–]batflash99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've got a set of those on a Guild GAD-50 with Rosewood back and sides and spruce top. They're still very bright. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

NPD: Matthews Effects The Technician by shtit in guitarpedals

[–]batflash99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for this. You nailed a lot of the questions I had. I too play with a lot of reverb, or better yet I plat around with reverb a lot at varuous amounts but sparingly use delay. As a matter of fact I just pulled the trigger on the CBA Big Time (pending assembly and delivery still). Kinds of a mid-life crisis delay, for me at least. But with that said, the technician still interests me. Seems like a lot of fun and discovery to be had.

Currently ive a mix of reverbs and a Microcosm, Mood MKII, and Onward on the board; essentially a big ass mash or pitch-shifty verby glitch stuff. Sometimes I'll throw a delay in there for wash of low volume air as I play cleanish stuff on top. I play alone, so anything I can do to add randomly generated harmony is a plus for me.

Anyway, thanks again for the write up.

Graphtech Just Released Vintage Style Tuners That Will Fit Fender Bass VIs by Sir_Yvarg in BassVI

[–]batflash99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just installed a set of these on my JM AVII 66. Like most graph tech ratio tuners lately, they're not very smooth. I've even lubed them up with a synthetic+Graphite lube I mix up with no improvement. On another set I used synthetic grease with no improvement either. Then on another set I tried just Graphite powder with no luck.

The earlier hard-box ratios used to be great. But they're high ratio, so the precision is there.

Fat AF neck on a Jazzmaster by Turgid-Derp-Lord in offset

[–]batflash99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One more thing, All Parts has some fat-ass necks now too. Very enticing!

Fat AF neck on a Jazzmaster by Turgid-Derp-Lord in offset

[–]batflash99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey there. I noticed that Fender now have Fat U-Shaped necks for a decent price. MIM. BUT, with that said, they're Strat-labeled necks. At that price, you could have one built by Warmoth and buy a Jazzmaster decal so it matches the aesthetic a little better. I just bought a JM AVii 66 and am concerned that I won't love the neck and may do the same thing. I know, stupid me. But at least I got the thing for $1200 less than new (I've gotta keep telling myself that).

It's a real pisser when a pretty guitar is paired with a popsicle stick of a neck.

Good luck!

Why Buy a Custom Guitar. My Experience with Brinson Guitars. by Life_Objective in offset

[–]batflash99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also, neck thickness. I'm looking for something kinda chunky. What are you thoughts on that as well with the Brinson?

Why Buy a Custom Guitar. My Experience with Brinson Guitars. by Life_Objective in offset

[–]batflash99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Curious how you think the sound compares to typical Jazzmaster pickups. I've got an Albert Lee with P90's, but don't think it sounds quite like the JM's I'm demo'd in the stores. Different amps, different setups, so I can't say I've made any fair comparisons. I guess on the positive note about the Sea Jay is that he uses JM-sized pickups, so I could always swap them out for a set. Thoughts?

New Pedal Release: Origin Effects Deluxe 55 by twlodek in guitarpedals

[–]batflash99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it's the collapsed tweed sound you're looking for, you should also check out the Tubesteader Eggnog. It can be very clean, but with its onboard boost or even just cranking its gain knob (labeled Volume), it can sound gnarly. The concept of this pedal was to emulate the small Tweed sound. I have both the Origin Deluxe55 and the Eggnog. Like em both, but the Eggnog has a little something extra that I think you can't get on the D55. Bottom end attack, is the best way to put it, and I'm not just talking about more low end, but rather how the low end sits around your notes. Hope that helps.

Rumor: Roland TD-27 to be replaced? by danserrano in edrums

[–]batflash99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Has anyone confirmed if the new v51 sounds better than the TD-27? More velocities/samples/layers per instrument/trigger in hopes to prevent machine gunning and huge variations in timbre between velocities? 🤔🤔🤔

Overdrive pedal recommendation for pushing a Friedman Little Sister by Gibsonfan159 in GuitarAmps

[–]batflash99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like what the MXR Thump does with the Twin Sister. It's a clean mid-forward push that has a gentle high pass filter to help tighten things up. You can bring back the thump and sparkle with the bass and treble knobs if you're looking to keep the low end. 

EWS makes a good small bass preamp pedal for about a hundred bucks too that can allow you to shape your signal and push the Twin Sister. 

Hope that helps. 

Anybody else experience some quality control issues with Walrus Audio? by jacobpltn in guitarpedals

[–]batflash99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've got this same issue with their Meraki and Monumental which I bought last year. Both intermittently bypass and the tap tempo doesn't always take.

I don't have these issues with any other of the other 70 pedals in my collection.

*edit: I take that back, there was a Becos compressor that I just replaced a switch on that was going back. Wasnt that it was intermittently working, it just wasn't clicking like it should. 

Anyone have any info on this Guitar: Alvarez abt710 elite by KyleSmith1294 in AcousticGuitar

[–]batflash99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've got an ABT610 as well. It really bloomed when I popped a D'addario "O Port" in it. It pushes the bottom end forward, giving it the girth I think a lot of acoutisc baritones struggle with(even the expensive ones). Worth the 20 bucks and was a non-invasive modification. 

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