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> From: Leslie Fradkin
> Guys,
> I played flat wound 11's and 12's back in 1964 when I started out (on a
> Hagstrom I and a sonic blue 64 Fender Strat) and they were no picnic.
> Dick Dale's hype notwithstanding, you don't need such a big string to
> get a good sound. And you'll get tendonitis one day if you keep working
> with very heavy guages.
>
> Many factors go into making a "fat" sound and string guage is only one
> factor. Your amp, your pick attack, what guitar, etc. all play a role
> in defining what your sound is.
I've never had a #1 song on mp3.com, and I wasn't even born in 1964, but in
my limited experience, strings sizes make a *HUGE* difference. I've got 12's
on my Jaguar, and I really don't find them that difficult to play once you
get used to them. It's going back to 9's that is the really funny part. Of
course, the Jaguar has a shorter scale than a strat. The payoff in tone is
enormous.
I've seen guys like Rick from the Volcanos do double stop Chuck Berry style
*bends* with 13 flats on his strat! But I didn't ask him how sore his
fingers were or if he had tendonitis.
Les, please know that I'm just giving you some good-natured ribbing...I
appreciate the different viewpoint (even if you do play a guitar
synth....whoops there I go again). :) :)
Not everyone does use heavy strings in surf of course. Ferenc reported that
Shigeo from the Surf Coasters used lighter strings, maybe 10's...(?). And he
has one huge and amazing sound. Of course he is one of those really amazing
guys that can make anything sound good...me, I'll just have to use the
crutch of heavy strings.
Seriously...best wishes,
BN
(I'm contemplating putting 13's on my Jag next...)
