The ShadowMusic Web Community

hi can someone tell me can you get 12s with a plain 3rd or are 12 s only avilable
with a wound 3rd.? im using 12-52 and only just started doing so and got a 3rd wound
but desided to take the wound of and put a plain 24
if you can get 12s with a plain 3rd G string a set i meen ill be happy
can anyone help please
regards richie

I use DR 12-52s which come with a wound third (24 guage) but if you decide upon a plain third you will have to change that for a 20 guage otherwise there will be a volume imbalance.

Many Strats are set up with pickups which require a plain third and a wound (even a 24) will be lower in volume than the other strings.

I find that using a wound third gives a better vintage sound and I have no problem bending even without the use of my third finger. However, it's all a matter of personal preference.

I have one of my Strats set up with 13-56s which include a wound 26.

Tab wrote:I use DR 12-52s which come with a wound third (24 guage) but if you decide upon a plain third you will have to change that for a 20 guage otherwise there will be a volume imbalance.

Many Strats are set up with pickups which require a plain third and a wound (even a 24) will be lower in volume than the other strings.

I find that using a wound third gives a better vintage sound and I have no problem bending even without the use of my third finger. However, it's all a matter of personal preference.

I have one of my Strats set up with 13-56s which include a wound 26.

im using 24 plain on a set of 12-52s mate i took the wound 3rd of because like you say of the volume imbalance
the 24 plain works though

Stratpicker wrote:Richie
D'Addario do a "EXL145 Heavy Plain 3rd 12-54" that has a plain 3rd.
http://store.daddario.com/category/1458 ... _3rd_12-54
Should be plenty of UK Stockists - Google or try eBay
cheers
ian

cheers ian

hi,
On my lighter strung Mick Johnson strat i used at Shadowmania for the more modern nos the strings are Newtone 12 - 52, ( 12, 16, 18 plain, (find a 20 plain to thick in terms of twang tone and vol ) 32, 42, 52, this works well in terms of balance
Phil.

phil kelly wrote:hi,
On my lighter strung Mick Johnson strat i used at Shadowmania for the more modern nos the strings are Newtone 12 - 52, ( 12, 16, 18 plain, (find a 20 plain to thick in terms of twang tone and vol ) 32, 42, 52, this works well in terms of balance
Phil.

hi phil cheers for the reply mate so your advice would be to get 12 16 18 or 20 plain 32 42 and 52??
cheers for your help phil btw great youtube videos
Richie

hi phil me again i for got to ask what gauge are you using on the more classic shads tunes apache wonderful land and so on????
cheers richie

I use a wound G on mine on set of 12's and I find adjusting the height of the bridge saddle for the G is needed to get the required response

Hi Richie,
I prefer the 18 rather than a 20 for the reasons i mentioned previously, the set comes with a 24 w for the 3rd string so you have to buy the 18s seperately, these strings are also round core and not hex so a bit less tension when tuned to pitch so you have a bit of mass but with playability.
For the old nos strat its 13, 17, 26, 36, 46, 56, either Newtones or DRs, again roundcore, high action and whack em hard !
Thanks for your kind words ref my s / files,
regards,
Phil.