New tone for less than $10?

They're a very cheap, often overlooked, way to overhaul your tone. I'm talking about strings. I read tons of interviews with established players in Guitar Player and other magazines and they always discuss their gear and their setup when asked about their sound. Details about customized zillion dollar guitars, pedals, and amps abound, but very rarely does anyone say something like "my strings are a big part of my sound".

But doesn't it stand to reason that your strings make a big difference in the tone coming out of your favourite amp? I mean, I tried some Elixir super-duper coated strings a couple of months ago and they sounded crap. It was my second attempt at using coated strings (I tried Cleartone first) and in both cases I ripped the strings off the same day. So if I can hate the sound of certain strings, doesn't that alone mean they're important? Me thinks so.

Most of my life I used Dean Markley Vintage Electric Re-issue .09 gauge, since that's what Alex Lifeson uses (at least I think he does) and I have spent quite a few years trying to play like him. They sound good, last quite a while, and even when they're near dead they still sound decent. I used to go for up to 6 months without changing them.

A few months ago I read an article with much the same thesis as this post and decided to try something new (and not coated). I asked the owner of my favourite local music store (plug --> Harmony Music) what was good and he suggested GHS Boomers. At the time I was also listening to some Stevie Ray Vaughan and heard he used a heavier gauge string, so I tried some .10 gauge Boomers. The result was a very different sound, and much better suited to the blues I am currently into playing. Note that if you change the string gauge you use, you'll also need to adjust the intonation. I guess I'm wondering how much of the difference in tone is because of the brand change and how much is because of the heavier gauge? One day I'll have to do a bit of an objective test to try and figure that out. For now I'm going to go with 50/50, since it's safe for me to do so.

I plan to keep changing things up. Maybe I'll do a little analysis of my favourite players and put together a list of their strings brands and gauges. Then I'll try a few out and see what the results are. I'll make sure to post that when I do. For now, though, I just had a new set installed when I got Harmony to set up my new Strat, so I got about a month to go before I can start.

It'd be very cool if I could get some comments including what type of music people are playing, the type of strings and gauge they use.

In memory of SRV

In memory of Stevie Ray Vaughan, who died tragically in a helicopter crash on this day in 1990, I just wanted to post this link to a really cool video that celebrates his talent. Enjoy.

It's been 19 years and people are still discovering Stevie's music.

Please feel free to post your own thoughts on Stevie and links to your favourite SRV videos.

Greatest guitar track?

To kick off my new blog, I'd like to pose a question...what is the greatest guitar track ever recorded?

I know that this is an impossible question to answer since everyone has different tastes and every guitar player has a different style, but I thought that it would be fun to get peoples ideas anyway. And please justify your choice with your reasons.

Now here's my pick:

The live version of Texas Flood by Stevie Ray Vaughan. (here it is on YouTube)

Here's why. First, the tone is unbelievable. It's exactly what I hear in my head when I think of southern blues rock. Second, the chords choices are excellent. I just love those chords. Finally, I think Stevie is actually hurting that poor quitar! Damn he is good!

Now your turn. What's your greatest guitar track?