NS-175 string change

[JohnW63]

The stock stings are listed as 11-49s, and I have some flat wound chrome 12-52s. I assume there would be no issues moving up a bit on string gauge. Let me know if I am !

 

[txbumper57]

Only issue I would see is if you have a wound third string on your new Flatwound set and a unwound third string on your old round wound set. If this is the case your intonation will be off on your 3rd string or "G" string on the new flatwound set. If your X175B has the tun-o-matic style bridge then you can adjust the individual saddle to correct the intonation for the new wound 3rd string. If you have the wooden "step" bridge you will need to get one that is properly intonated for a wound 3rd string. Also since there will be more tension on the neck you may need to perform a small truss rod adjustment as well as adjusting the bridge height accordingly to achieve the proper action height and playability you are used to. If you use the bigsby regularly you may also need to file the Nut slots to fit the thicker strings. This will keep them from "Hanging" up on the string nut and allow them to return to neutral more consistently. Normally when I change from 10 or 11 round wounds to 11 or 12 Flatwounds I go ahead and let my Luthier do a full setup with the new string size. This keeps me from having to fight the guitar to intonate correctly.

When you go to change the strings make sure to "Mark" the bridge placement with a piece of soapstone or something that will wipe off easily. If you bridge is floating and has not been "Tacked" in place, this will allow you to put the bridge back in the proper position when the new strings are installed. I don't know if the Newark Street Models have a pinned bridge or not to mark there placement, One trick my luthier uses for me is to place a small piece of Double sided tape under the bridge when it is in it's proper position. This keeps it from moving while playing and changing strings. Have Fun!

 

[JohnW63]

Well, I just did the swap. Both sets had a wound G string, so I may be good nut and intonation wise. The Guitar has a Bigsby so the saddle in adjustable but the bridge is floating wood. I just changed one string at a time to keep from needing to mark anything. I do that on my acoustics anyway. I figure there is less stress on the neck and braces if I keep the same tension on it AND it allows me to hear when I am close to being in tune with the other strings.

So, what do they sound like ? A bit deeper at the bottom end and not so sharp sounding. This is especially true when I switch to the bridge pickup. I used to never use that setting along, because it was TOO twangy. Now, it's more pleasing to my ears. The larger gauge means I can't bend like I can on the Starfire I just got, which has 10s, I think, but that's OK. I was going for a more Jazzy sound. The Starfire can be for more rock and blues.

Oh, the neck relief looks OK, right after changing the strings. I'll check again tomorrow.

 

[txbumper57]

Sweet! One thing you will notice with the Flatwounds is how Smooth they are to play. You will still be able to get some Driven tones out of them but they just have that awesome "Thick" tone to them. Have Fun with them John!

 

[NYWolf]

Why not to try TI Swing if you are switching to flats? The difference is really significant with Chromes, I mean TI's soooo much sweeter! I had NS 175 and started with Chromes, the tone was ok, except with even slightest overdrive it wasnt. So the clean sound only, but I didnt know any better. Switched to TI's, and the guitar came to life. True story!

 

[Quantum Strummer]

I recently restrung my NS Aristocrat with Thomastik Jazz Swing 11s. Nice change in tone: less brash overall & especially sweeter with both pickups on…it's got more of that hollow thunk I like so much. I did tweak the intonation a little—the previous strings were DR Pure Blues 11s with a subbed wound 18 G—but I'm kinda picky about that. No trussrod tweak needed.

One thing I've found with flatwound strings is that vibrato systems just work more smoothly with 'em. Less friction.

-Dave-

 

[JohnW63]

As a follow-up, I have to say, I am really liking these strings on this guitar. Strangely, on some amps, it sounds MORE acoustic, but still Jazzy, if I dial down the trebles. With some reverb I can see some blues potential too. I was playing around with a Peavey "Backstage Chorus" amp, because it's not a big amp, but has reverb and chorus, and the tone grew on me. Normally, this amp hasn't been my favorite, but it works with this combo.

 

[JohnW63]

NYWolf,

Why not to try TI Swing if you are switching to flats?

'Cause I didn't know anything about them, until now. I'm new to electric stuff. Flat wounds in general is new to me. May I assume you mean these ?

http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/thswseacjagu.html

The Thomastik-Infeld brand is a bit pricey. A discounted price of 26 bucks ? That would be another reason I haven't tried them !

 

[jcwu]

TIs are pricey. I wish they weren't. They are fantastic strings.

 

[NYWolf]

TIs are pricey. I wish they weren't. They are fantastic strings.

Yea, but they last longer too! Would you rather pay more for a good thing that last longer, then so so that cost less but would cost almost as much in a long run? Decisions, decisions..:joyous:

 

[JohnW63]

They need to last 3 times longer than regular D'Addarios and 50% longer than the Chrome D'Addario ECG25s I just put on to make economic sense.

 

[griehund]

I use 12-52 chrome flats on my NS Starfire III. I'm guessing it had 10s on it when I got it because they felt like spaghetti and sounded tinny. I just recently put 11-50 chrome flats on my Gretsch chambered LP cause I wanted to see if the lighter gauge would speed up my left hand. So far so good. Stonge came by the other day with his new Gretsch hollow body and his unwound G string threw me for a loop. Just a little bit too much pressure threw it out of tune. Anyhoo, s'all good.

 

[jcwu]

They need to last 3 times longer than regular D'Addarios and 50% longer than the Chrome D'Addario ECG25s I just put on to make economic sense.

Don't forget to factor in that they bring you 78% more joy and satisfaction.

 

[Guildadelphia]

Not a flatwound guy myself. My NS 175B presently has a set of DR Pure Blues 10-46's. I prefer pure nickel roundwounds in general for the rock, rockabilly and blues stuff I generally "attempt" to play.

 

[JohnW63]

Because I now have the Starfire 4, I am making the X157B more of a Jazz box. But, I find the flat wounds are fun in various things. I have not yet tried to add in some overdrive to see what happens.

 

[txbumper57]

With a little overdrive on the flat wounds you can get some great Fat Blues tones as well as some thick syrup like lead tones. They sound great through my OCD pedal or my JHS "Moonshine" overdrive pedal.