Guitar "quality" and string life...

[hbucker]

How many of you evaluate the quality of a guitar based on how long strings last on it before they go dead? If they stay crisp and lively for a long time do you think it's a better guitar than if strings go dead fairly soon?

It doesn't matter. I'm just curious.

 

[rrhea]

Never heard that one before. The only thing I can imagine making a difference in string life might possibly be the fretboard and how absorbent it is. An easily soiled board (like unfinished maple and even rosewood) could cause your strings to get dirty faster because you'd be transferring the grime and dirt from the board to the new strings.

All necks get dirty, though, and if you keep the board clean strings should last the same for you on a Y2d as they would on a Chinese Squire Strat. Some boards get dirtier faster than others. Really shouldn't matter if you maintain your guitar.

Ryan

Ryan

 

[JMB27]

Interesting question.
I had one guitar, where strings seemed to rust out fast ... despite my efforts to ensure practice area was neither too dry nor too damp, trying different string brands, etc.
It was not a cheap guitar - spent good money at the time to acquire it. Looked cool, played great, had good sounds .... but seemed to have the string issue.

Several guitars later, I now have two Balls
I went back to the favorite string type and touch wood, have not had the difficulties of rust or pre-mature deadness
Even on my non-EBMM guitars, and I do have a couple still, I use the same string type - though depending on the guitar and fretboard, the guages may vary.

Short answer - yes I do evaluate guitars (somewhat) based on string life ... and other assorted issues

 

[candid_x]

I've found that strings seem to go dull faster on rosewood boards, probably because rosewood fretboards tend to be darker sounding to begin with. There may also be a bit more corrosion, due to lemon oil absorbed into the rosewood. I don't think it has much to do with the quality of a guitar.

 

[robelinda2]

my strings generally dont last long, a few weeks at best, but ive found the RPS strings to be very good, they last for much much longer than Slinky's, but i kinda prefer the feel of slinky's. i also gig plenty and one set of strings wont last 3 gigs usually.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

If a guitar plays well and sounds good when I pick it up, that's good enough for me. Typically strings last less than 8hrs of continuous play time for me, so I have never thought that one _guitar_ was of more quality than the next if the strings lasted 9hrs.

 

[candid_x]

my strings generally dont last long, a few weeks at best, but ive found the RPS strings to be very good, they last for much much longer than Slinky's, but i kinda prefer the feel of slinky's. i also gig plenty and one set of strings wont last 3 gigs usually.

I thought the RPS is a slinky with reinforced ball ends? Are they actually a different string?

I change my strings every 3 weeks like clockwork. When I was gigging regularly, I changed them before every gig.

 

[robelinda2]

sure feels like a different string to me, but i dont actually know if it is Bruce! the Y2D and 20th Silo both shipped with RPS's, and they feel different than Slinkys.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

All EB guitars ship with RPS strings from the factory.


Unless it is the Axis or Morse w/tremolo. That just wouldn't make sense, now, would it?

 

[candid_x]

sure feels like a different string to me, but i dont actually know if it is Bruce! the Y2D and 20th Silo both shipped with RPS's, and they feel different than Slinkys.

Interesting. I thought some models come equipped with RPSs because of increased string breakage possibility due to the whammy design. If you don't mind me asking, Rob, what difference does there seem to be?

Can anyone here shed more light, on the difference between regular Slinkys and RPSs?

I'm currently using Slinky Hybrids. I like them quite a bit, though the tops are still a tad skinny for my liking, and 10s are a tad too heavy for my liking. I'd like to stay with EB strings if possible, and not go back to 9.5 Boomers. I'm curious now about the RPS strings.

 

[candid_x]

From EB site:

Slinky: Made from nickel plated steel wire wrapped around tin plated hex shaped steel core wire. By far the most popular, produces well balanced all around good sound.

RPS: A patented winding of bronze wire is tightly wrapped around the lock twist of the ball end. String slippage and breakage are minimized at the ball end where these most often occur. RPS strings last longer and stay in tune better than conventional plain strings. Used on electric and acoustic guitars but, not classical guitars.

It appears as if the only difference is at the ball end.

 

[jazzbo jim]

How many of you evaluate the quality of a guitar based on how long strings last on it before they go dead? .

The only way the guitar's quality woulf impact string life is if the gutar is so nice (like my Axis) that I want to play it 7 hours a day-good for chops,bad for strings.

String life is affected by:
Acidity/perspiration from the player
Humidty,smoke and other environmental conditions
pulling, bending,stretching, strumming

have I missed any....? Oh, thanks Jon...."Buy some Wonder Wipes!"

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Thanks to the marvel of Graphtec saddles, I rarely ever change strings. I only change them when they are totally dead!

 

[hbucker]

Interesting replies. I was just curious based on my experience that strings, the same strings, can last for different lengths of time on different guitars. On some, they always go dead sooner than on others. While I don't like this, it is what it is. I don't really get caught up in it.

But that did lead to the question. Interestingly, I posted the identical question on 4 different forums. Most responses were like this one where people took it for what it's worth and talked about it. One however, seemed to actually get ticked off. "Are you joking????" and such was generally the attitude I was getting.

Interesting how different brands attract different attitudes from people.

 

[jazzbo jim]

What??!!!???
There are OTHER Forums?????????????????????????????????