Unwound strings on steel

CellarCat · Post by **CellarCat** » 1 May 2000 5:31 pm

Anyone ever try just using unwound strings on their lap steel??? Opinions ?

Rich Young · Post by **Rich Young** » 3 May 2000 12:09 am

As strings get bigger, they seem to lose their "intenedness" or what ever you want to call it. I went to a heavier set on my steel, 22 or .024 for my third string, and the pitch never seemed "right on", or at least as close as I ever get

There is some theory behind this, I read it on one of the steel string guage guide pages but can't remember which one, it might be the one here.

Rich Young · Post by **Rich Young** » 3 May 2000 12:11 am

Sorry, that should read "inTUNEedness", hey it's late, just got in from a gig! At least that's my excuse!

Rich Young · Post by **Rich Young** » 3 May 2000 12:13 am

That being unwound strings! The wound ones solve this problem. A .042 unwound would probably sound terrible.
And on that note, I'm going to bed!!!
Sorry!

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 5 May 2000 9:47 am

HI there! Jerry Byrd for years used unwound strings on his Rick. I too have done so, taking his lead and have been more than satisfied. I use Spanish Guitar 2nd strings for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd string. These are Gibson strings. The 4th string is an unwound 3rd string. I then use flat wound on the remaining strings. This makes it most difficult for anyone to determine on what strings your actually playing your melody notes, whether first/second; first/third, etc. No bar noise EITHER! To me that's important. Want to talk more, write me:
p007i@jiven.com