When acoustic became pretty much my main focus, I started trying to get more performance W out of my Yamaha dreadnought and the Martin that followed. I must have tried 20 different types of acoustic string, by different makers. Ernie Ball's Paradigm Phosphor Bronze set (£19.99) impressed on whatever I tried them on. They just seemed to have 'more' of everything across the frequency spectrum, going some way to justifying their high price.
Later, I also came to appreciate Elixir's Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze 13-53 set (also £19.99), primarily because their protective coating reduces finger squeaks dramatically and they sound great. True, both sets of strings were pricey, but given the importance of strings to an acoustic's voice, the investment was worth it.
And herein lies an important point. Not all that many people can afford Custom Shop instruments - but most of us can afford to buy quality when it comes to accessories and consumables, and we may hear and feel almost as much benefit by doing so as when we splash out on bigger-ticket items such as handwound pickups and so on. Using top quality accessories with an affordable guitar is arguably the cheapest way to get high-end feel and finesse into your rig and with no intrusive mods.
Denne historien er fra January 2023-utgaven av Guitarist.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 2023-utgaven av Guitarist.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
BASIC INSTINCTS
The sophisticated range of Swedish-designed guitars made by .strandberg* has lured thousands of players over to the headless side. But the company's new stripped-back Boden Essential model is its strongest play yet for the hearts and minds of mainstream players
Second String
As PRS's more affordable USA-made S2 line moves into its second decade, the series gets a revamp with - at last - USA-made pickups and electronics. What took so long?
PABLO VAN DE POEL
When a band from The Netherlands describes themselves as 'raw, psychedelic Southern rock', it may take a little cognitive processing to work out what that might mean. One listen to DeWolff, however, and you will be duly transported to the 60s for some fuzzed-out rock 'n' roll
THE BERNIE MARSDEN COLLECTION
With a fabulous collection of the late Bernie Marsden's guitars, amps and other highly collectable music gear going under the auctioneer's hammer on 11 June, we were thrilled to have the chance of a sneak preview
LENNY KRAVITZ
Some 35 years since the release of his debut LP, for his 12th record, Blue Electric Light, Lenny Kravitz is back again with equal doses of vigour and vibes, using vintage guitars and the purest valve amps
GEORGE VJESTICA
You may not know him at first glance, but the work of Stoke-on-Trent native George Vjestica has probably impacted some of your favourite albums and movies
DICKEY BETTS
Emerging from the shadow of Duane to write signature hit Ramblin' Man, the Allman Brothers guitarist was a hard-living pioneer of Southern rock
NICK GUPPY
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our highly valued amplifier guru, who died suddenly in April
Lucky Break
Alex Bishop blends old wood with new in an attempt to fix a severely damaged guitar headstock
Tones Behind The Tracks
Cedric Burnside learnt at the knee of his fabled grandfather, but his latest album is a hill country blues masterclass on his own terms