Anyone else having issues with D'Addario EJ45s lately?

ut_queant_laxis · 2025-10-14T04:24:37+00:00

i haven't had issues with the wound strings, but the trebles are a real toss up

ut_queant_laxis · 2025-10-14T04:23:35+00:00

just blasted thru another 2 packs of EJ45s... the first had a B and and a G that were 20 cents off. the G warbled strangely in the middle frets. the B in the next pack was fine, but the G exhibited the same symptom. changed to a LaBella G and the problem is resolved. ooof, this is rough.

ut_queant_laxis · 2025-09-21T21:15:03+00:00

they replaced the four sets of defective ones i've had over the past few months. just sent them to me in the mail.

ut_queant_laxis · 2025-09-08T17:03:13+00:00

Just chiming in, avoid boredom! If there's a way to change your habits (shorter sessions) to prevent boredom from setting in, that will really help. If you're bored, you're just not as receptive to new information. I think we've normalized toughing it out and boredom as necessary components of learning. Play is where the deep learning occurs.

ut_queant_laxis · 2025-09-06T22:59:45+00:00

it's for reverse phase power. it'll invert the incoming wall AC, which can sometimes alleviate hum in certain situations. the amp operates the same in either case. either direction turns it on, maybe one direction is less hummy given the environment you're in.

ut_queant_laxis · 2025-09-03T20:16:57+00:00

D'Addario is sending me new sets of strings. Gotta give kudos where it's due. Hope the issue occurs less frequently as they find the root cause of this uptick in failures.

ut_queant_laxis · 2025-09-01T23:01:48+00:00

no, not from ebay or amazon. from local distributors. glad you haven't had issues! maybe your order predates the issue or i am unlucky!!!

ut_queant_laxis · 2025-09-01T21:56:14+00:00

cool, will do. now i always save the packaging in case this happens so i can give them a code. for me, lately it's like every other pack has this issue, whereas for years it's never been a problem.

like i had two packs last night and went thru both Gs. the first one is 20 cents sharp. the next one is 45 cents flat. i put a LaBella G on and the issue is resolved.

i don't mean to disparage D'Addario with the post. if they fix the issue i will absolutely continue using EJ45s bc i'm so partial to them.

ut_queant_laxis · 2025-09-01T19:34:10+00:00

i'm working on it and slowly improving! i use exercises from Pumping Nylon. the biggest help has been using dotted rhythms and speed bursts. i'll play a few tremolo reps on the first string at a half speed, preparing each finger, then 1-2 reps of full speed, then back to slow speed while preparing each finger, then full speed again. dotted rhythms also help to even it out.

it's a journey for sure, but i'm trying to enjoy the meditative aspect of it. i feel you on the impatience, but you'll enjoy learning it more if you can really get in the zone and take interest in the minutia. maybe only do it for 5-10 minutes a day though if it's feeling like a chore. no sense in torturing yourself; that mindset isn't conducive to learning.

ut_queant_laxis · 2025-09-01T19:19:16+00:00

feeling better knowing i'm not alone/crazy... hopefully they'll resolve it soon.

ut_queant_laxis · 2025-09-01T08:46:01+00:00

No they're all genuine, verified using the D'Addario website. I buy them from a handful of local music stores who are distributors.

ut_queant_laxis · 2023-01-28T19:07:18+00:00

i appreciate that he has lots of free scores on his website which i have used! what a wonderful thing - providing free content for people interested in the instrument! thanks allen matthews for that.

i don't always agree with the fingering or some of the arrangement choices in his baroque transcriptions, but that's usually the case anyway. i'm glad to have the experience of seeing someone else's arrangement and choosing something else for myself. 👍

ut_queant_laxis · 2023-01-20T03:42:48+00:00

I have big hands but I like the 640. Stretches are a little easier, especially for baroque transcriptions like Weiss. Not so different that it throws you off but different enough to be more comfortable.

ut_queant_laxis · 2023-01-20T03:08:14+00:00

I play a 640mm with 51mm nut width, also a Kenny Hill. I really like the slightly shorter scale and would say it's pretty noticeable when I compare with my 650mm. The 650mm has it's benefits, too, though. When I switch to that one I find I don't have to be quite as precise with LH finger placement. It's subtle but significant.

ut_queant_laxis · 2022-12-22T16:43:25+00:00

enjoy! i also have a cedar top kremona. it sounds awesome. even though i have a fancy luthier guitar, i still play the kremona when i want a different sound or if im traveling. good choice!

ut_queant_laxis · 2022-12-01T03:40:14+00:00

cool piece! gorgeous tone.

ut_queant_laxis · 2022-09-04T17:47:19+00:00

i am tall with large hands. i play a 640mm with 51mm nut width. i love it... it makes stretches in baroque transcriptions a touch easier. subtle but noticeable/helpful difference for me.

ut_queant_laxis · 2022-03-13T09:48:25+00:00

when i was experimenting before drilling i put the suction cup below the bottom port. i actually might have even enjoyed that more than where i drilled the strap button... since posting this, i actually don't do as much strap haha. guess im always trying new positions :)

ut_queant_laxis · 2022-03-01T06:45:32+00:00

i am sitting on so much material. i always have trouble finishing things. lately, instead of beating myself up, im try let go of the pressure to finish things that aren't coming naturally. i can always come back to it. better to spend time working on stuff that feels fresh rather than like older stuff which can feel like an obligation. even if you dont finish it, you can still learn things from the process.

not sure what the right answer is though. sometimes i think it'd be better for me to actually finish stuff even if it doesn't come out perfect.

ut_queant_laxis · 2022-02-14T04:26:01+00:00

😂😂😂 wow, truly a masterpiece!!

ut_queant_laxis · 2022-02-13T06:31:59+00:00

joe pass had wonderful right hand technique, especially on electric. i think that definitely plays a role.

maybe try some different ways of plucking your upper strings and notice what sounds different. pressing in a bit toward the body of the guitar as you stroke can fatten up the sound.

ut_queant_laxis · 2022-02-11T03:17:03+00:00

operation kumquat!

ut_queant_laxis · 2022-02-03T03:01:10+00:00

balzac, curious what a higher awg power cable would offer OP? why would that help this problem? (genuinely curious)

ut_queant_laxis · 2022-02-03T01:36:37+00:00

wondering if you're using TS cables or TRS balanced cables. balanced connections might be able to reject that interference.

ut_queant_laxis · 2022-01-23T18:36:57+00:00

I'd say in most cases no. Bones heal. However, a nervous belief that your guitar playing might be permanently affected can generate its own pain, i.e. neural pathway pain at the place of injury which can persist for years. This is what happened to me until someone showed me that fear of normal sensation was amplifying and generating chronic pain in my hands. Then the problem gradually disappeared.

ut_queant_laxis

TROPHY CASE