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Can I use these strings on my GJ guitar
tapinho
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Hi,
I am a new-comer to the GJ world. I recently bought a Harmsworth and Willis D-Hole GJ guitar.
Can I use these strings on it? (La Bella silverplated steel)
I would like to experiment with the light top strings. After extensive research I believe these are the only silver plated steel strings available from any manufacturer with 9's. However, I wonder if the discrepancy between the heavy bottom strings and light top could cause damage to the guitar?
Also, can I remove all the strings at once during restring? The fretboard is extremely dirty and the cleaning would be way more convenient if I need not leave some strings on. However, I saw some advice claiming that you should leave some strings on a GJ guitar during restrings to avoid possible neck damage.
Would appreciate any comments / advice :P
Comments
I don't see any problem using those strings, but if there is one, I think you’ll quickly be aware of it...
... plus I think the reason for not changing all six strings at once is more based upon the fact that you will need to carefully reseat your guitar’s movable bridge...
Will
Edgar Degas: "Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things.... To draw, you must close your eyes and sing."
Georges Braque: "In art there is only one thing that counts: the bit that can’t be explained."
Yeah you could use them but my concern would be a lack of volume due to the low tension on the first and second strings. I always remove all my strings when I'm restringing - it makes it easier to clean and oil the fingerboard. The bridge isn't fixed so you just need to make sure you replace it where it was. You could mark the back edge of the two feet with a tiny bit of masking tape or you can place it and move it as needed by checking each string at the 12th fret by picking a harmonic and then with a fretted note. If the fretted note is flat then you move the bridge forward. If it's sharp then you move it back.
As for having to leave some strings on a GJ guitar during a restring to avoid neck damage, frankly that sounds like utter nonsense to me.
I've had two Harmsworth and Willis guitars and they were great, brilliant value for money - it's a shame they stopped making them.
Should not be a problem either way - you may notice less volume on the top strings, but It's not a tension issue typically (most guitars can support a wide range of tensions - Titi Bamberger for years strung a guitar with 14 flats . . That was perhaps too much . . )
Good luck.
I know one top player who puts Ernie Ball electrics on his guitars, so anything is possible - but if you are new to the genre and you’ve gone as far as committing to buying a Selmer style guitar, I would definitely start with Argentines, you won’t get the sound you’re chasing otherwise.
Yeah, the right strings are definitely a big part of the sound... Argentines are best but D’Addarios are fine...
Edgar Degas: "Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things.... To draw, you must close your eyes and sing."
Georges Braque: "In art there is only one thing that counts: the bit that can’t be explained."
Thanks for the replies!
Right now the guitar has a few weeks old D'addario GJ strings on it. I will restring (with thorough cleaning, removing all strings :D) with the La Bellas soon and check out how it feels and sounds. I have a few Argentine 10's stashed up so if it sounds out of phase with GJ style I'll just throw a set of those in.
I really like those strings in the higher gauges on a flattop.
UPDATE:
I tried the LaBellas and they sounded good and authentic for GJ. However, after an hours playing or so a resonating buzz started to be generated at the bridge. I assume that it could be fixed by twiddling with the bridge but since I did not have any idea how to do it I just slapped Argentines on the guitar.
Does the guitar still produce the buzz with the Argentines ? Buzzes can be hard to track down. When you say generated at the bridge what are you basing that on ?
It was very clear from the outset that it is at the bridge / tailpeace or whatever it is called because when I would hold it with my hand, there would be no buzz. When I put the Argentines on it, the buzz dropped about 80%. I was able to eliminate it totally by putting a folded papersheet under the thing.