Strings of yesteryear... better?

Per · Jun 11th 2014

I was recently back in the UK and picked up some of my old guitars there, untouched for 15 years, still with strings from the 90's on them... expecting them to sound and play like total crap I noodled a few chords and my jaw hit the floor.

These are cheap guitars mind, cheap pickups, Epiphone, Mex Strat, Aria Pro 2 335 copy and the sound was detailed, articulate, rich, complex, the feel was amazing.

I checked and the strings are just D'Addarios in there (unless anyone else uses the same color coding on the balls), same as I use now. Yet my newer (and mroe expensive) instruments back in the US with their regularly changed strings sound just dull and lifeless in comparison.

What's going on? Have strings changed that much in 15 years?

Here's just a quick snippet from earlier when I was playing around with the SG finally getting that throaty sound from the Kemper that I've been trying to get for ages (TAF AC30 Clean+ profile with air chorus in X, but only recording the left channel, D tuning with A to experiment, neck pickup). The playing is just mindless random noodling but I'm just loving the tonality I'm getting. http://www.peranders.com/general/noodle140610a1.mp3

Delinquent · Jun 11th 2014

Maybe just the acoustics of the room?

Per · Jun 11th 2014

Not that, got to try em plugged in side by side so I could check it wasn't just in my mind, and all three exhibited this.

DonPetersen · Jun 11th 2014

maybe (and more likely) it's coated or standard nickel strings vs. brighter steel strings (pro steels).

Per · Jun 11th 2014

Possibly, the us ones have nickel, the uk ones may have been steel then I guess (just checked, only the sg has d'addarios so the others are probably Ernie ball or rotos, would be odd if all three were steel, but perhaps that's the norm for uk strings), I may need to investigate steel in that case, any recommendations for a good brand?

Per · Jun 11th 2014

I assume the lightness of feel is simply due to age and maybe oxidization though? They're 10's but felt lighter than the newer 10's on the us same scale length guitars.

DonPetersen · Jun 11th 2014

maybe they are 10s with thinner bass strings (10-46 instead of 10-52)?

paults · Jun 11th 2014

These older guitars are your old point of reference for how a guitar should feel and play, from a long time ago.

Playing them is like "going home" again. So, they feel comfortable, like an old pair of shoes

Zappledan · Jun 12th 2014

This thread touches on something I've wondered about for a while. There are so many options for strings, how in the world do you find the set that's perfect for you?

paults · Jun 12th 2014

Quote from Zappledan

This thread touches on something I've wondered about for a while. There are so many options for strings, how in the world do you find the set that's perfect for you?

Experimenting with strings may get you a slightly different feel, but, they also require a set up change on every guitar. No thanks!

The perfect set of strings for me is consistent from pack to pack and easy to buy anywhere. I still just use "normal" strings (D'Addario EXL110). I can get them anywhere (and usually stock up when boxes of 3 or 10 are on sale).

Zappledan · Jun 12th 2014

Paul, that's exactly what I do (exact same strings, too). Still, I always wonder if there isn't a better option out there ...

Michael_dk · Jun 12th 2014

This is G.T.S (Guitarist Tweaker Syndrome):D

kriswylde · Jun 12th 2014

Well d'addario are shit strings in my opinion. I only play with GHS most of the time Nickel Rockers

paults · Jun 12th 2014

Quote from Michael_dk

This is G.T.S (Guitarist Tweaker Syndrome):D

Agreed! Forget the strings - the song is what matters

ReneLangenhan · Jun 13th 2014

If strings are on an electric guitar for such a long time, their (ferro-)magnetic characteristics change.
I suppose the old strings have a little less volume, compared to fresh strings from the same type? Less volume makes them sound brighter and more dynamic depending on the amp setup and pickups. On the other hand IMHO for example the EXL120 sounded flatter and more muffled a couple years ago, to me it seems that D'addario changed the steel formula and the wrapping technique.
As far as i remember GHS Boomers are made with pre-magnetized 'Alloy 52', which would make these strings change their volume and sound inevitably if they're "stored" within the magnetic field of guitar pickups for such a long time. Just my 5 cents

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