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> Dear Supertwang,
> I swapped strings to get lighter sets as well. That became
especially
> important as the 60's moved along and blusier styles took hold.
>
> Like I said in another post, my palm muting skill (which I learned
thru
> many years of messing about with pedal steel guitar) has served me
well
> in achieving very fast double picking speeds on lighter strings.
This
> was necessary to do both surf technique and bending on the same
guitar.
> I also use knuckle blocking for keeping strings under control at
those
> speeds.
That's pretty good that you can do that Les. I agree, alot of tone
does come from your hands, but still I cannot imagine some surf songs
sounding the same on lighter strings. For example Dick Dale's "Night
Rider" that just sounds right being double picked on heavy strings
being forced through a reverb tank. Also alot of Eddie Bertrand
stuff. For example his solos on "Scratch" would sound different with
lighter strings. As much as you can say that tone comes from ones
hands there is something to be said for using heavy strings and
hitting them hard, exspecially in the surf genre. I've always
thought that the guitarists who I enjoy that use lighter strings have
a weaker sound than those I listen to who use heavier strings. I
love James Burton and his playing was ahead of its time, however, his
tone wasn't really all that great. But that's just an opinion I
guess.
Bill Aqua
