Pre-NGD question

[JohnW63]

With a mid 90s SF4 coming my way, what strings would you guys recommend ? I have some flat wounds I was going to put on my NS X-175, for more of a jazzy sound. I'd guess the SF4 would like something else. Being new to electrics, I'm open to ideas.

 

[davismanLV]

John... I'm lost on this question. I mean... at one time I had flatwounds on the maple dread and ...you know it sounded great. But this is beyond my knowledge or experience.... however, I'm kinda of excited. Tell me when it comes! :tiger:

 

[txbumper57]

First off is it Mahogany or Maple bodied? Mahogany is going to be naturally a darker tone and Maple will be more on the bright snappy side. If you want a bright tone I would consider Daddario Round wound Nickel 10's or 11's. For a bit of a darker tone I love the DR Pure Blues Round wounds in 10's or 11's. I also have used Daddario Chrome Flatwounds on Starfires and had great results. Nice smooth Thick sound. If you go with flatwounds I normally run 10's or 11's. I have one hollowbody with 12 flatwounds on it and it gets deep dark tones out of it. If you do go with the flatwounds make sure you set the guitar up for whatever set you are using as some sets come with a wound 3rd string instead of plain steel. This gives you a thicker tone on your 3rd string as opposed to a plain steel which is great for Jazz, Blues, Rockabilly, or whatever you want to use it for. If you don't set the guitar up for a wound 3rd your intonation will be off. Being the SF4 is semi hollow you wont have much problem with unwanted feedback.

 

[JohnW63]

It's 2nevets guitar, so I would guess Maple, but it could be spruce, I suppose.

 

[Default]

maple!

 

[kakerlak]

My advice? Give 2nevets a holler and see if he can tell you what's on it right now, then see how you like it. That'll give you a reference point to decide whether you want to go thicker/thinner/brighter/warmer, or just what to buy again, if you dig 'em.

As far as electric strings go, nickel is warmer and stainless is brighter, flatwounds tend to have a much quicker decay (musically speaking, not longevity-wise) than round-wound strings. There are a lot of guys that grew up in the '60s (like my dad) that will dismiss flatwounds as dull and lifeless strings and a lot of the old ones were, particularly b/c nobody ever changed them and they were all you could buy. IMO, some of the better quality ones out there now (e.g. D'Addario Chromes) are still pretty lively strings, with a nice spanky/snappy response.

 

[SFIV1967]

John, try various sets and see what you like. Nickel or Nickel plated steel.
10-46 fit well as example, Regular Slinky's (2221) as one example: http://www.ernieball.com/products/electric-guitar-strings/1728/regular-slinky-nickel-wound
Or the coated Slinky's (3121): http://www.ernieball.com/products/e...6/coated-electric-titanium-rps-regular-slinky

But you could also play and try Fender strings, like the 150R (pure nickel) and 250R (nickel plated steel), they are actually surprisingly good strings. As kakerlak said, pure nickel is warmer.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender/...ic-Strings-1273888004350.gc?_requestid=800906
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender/250R-Super-250-Nickel-Plated-Steel-Electric-Strings.gc

Guild ships the NS Starfire IV with slightly thicker strings: D’Addario® EXL115 Nickel Wound, Medium/Blues-Jazz Rock, (.011-.049 Gauges)
http://www.daddario.com/DADProductD...5_Nickel_Wound__Medium_Blues_Jazz_Rock__11_49

Ralf

 

[GAD]

I have almost the exact same guitar. I put Ernie Ball 10s on mine (and custom rewound pickups because mine had Fenders in it).

Edit - actually mine's a very late 90s or 00 model. How 'mid' 90s is it?

 

[JohnW63]

I ordered a small selection from Strings and Beyond. I have three electrics ( almost ) now, so we'll see what they all like to have on them.

Now, I just have to wait...and be patient. NY is a LOOOONG ways away from Southern California.

 

[JohnW63]

The guitar is detailed here. I think it's a 98 , according to the thread below . S/N AG001092 Still supposed to have the SD-1s on it.

http://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/showthread.php?186823-Blonde-Starfire-4-AG001092

 

[txbumper57]

Mine is the Starfire V version but still has the same tone woods. Should be a maple body and a Mahogany Neck. I put Duncan Custom shop Phat Staple Pickups in mine because it had the Fender version Pickups. Looks like yours has at the least Duncan made HB-1's and possibly the highly sought after Guild HB-1's. I'm running DR Pure Blues Round wound 11's on mine. Ralf's suggestion about Fender strings is a good one as well. I have been using the Fender brand strings on my strats and love them. since GAD posted a pick here is one of mine, Welcome to the Maple Club JohnW63!

 

[JohnW63]

My NS 175 is Maple as well, so I guess I'll have a pair of them. Both from other LTGers. Damn enablers !