Strings & Things

d'addario strings

Since 1980,  I have been a proud endorsee of D’Addario Strings.
There are three basic reasons why I find D’Addario strings so exciting to play:

  • They sound and feel beautiful.
     

  • I can count on one hand the amount of faulty strings I have had over the past 30 years. They are extremely accurate! 
     

  • The company is continually evolving and improving these strings from year to year.

Several guitarists and I have for years helped D'Addario in testing new strings. Jim D’Addario, a wonderfully close friend, is an inventor at heart. He, with his great technical team, is constantly working at making what they have already created even better. Jim's drive, curiosity and remarkable abilities remain a profound inspiration to me even now, after more than 30 years. The D’Addario Foundation has helped artists around the globe over the last 25 years. What they have done for the guitar is monumental.


types of strings I use most:


For Concerts, I currently I use the D'Addario EXP46s on my Smallman. For recording and on the Carrington, I use EJ46LPs. I find these particularly good when playing any piece that uses delay as they make fewer squeaks.
 
I some times will vacillate between the EXP45 and EXP46s. I find the EJ43 light tension to be very good when I have a lot of practicing to do. They can be easier on the hands.

For the Traugott I use the EXP17.

On my electric, I play the EXP110.

accessories

Tuner:
None better than the Planet Waves NS Mini Head Stock Tuner

Metronome:
Planet Waves Delux Tuner and Metronome.

Capo:
Planet Waves NS Capo. This is a great design for Classical guitar.

Humidifier:
Planet Waves , Acoustic Guitar Humidifier, After trying many through the years this is my favorite.

Peg Winder:
I can’t live with out the Planet Waves, Guitar Pro-Winder String Winder/Cutter!
All of these items and much more can be found here. I would heartily advise any guitar enthusiast to spend some time at the D'Addario web site.  

Guitar Support:
Over the years I have had quite an assortment of guitar support products. Pillows, elaborate devices,  wooden ones, steel ones – you name it, I’ve tried it! I am currently thrilled with the Ergo Play – Troester Model.  It seems to be the most versatile of the different models and really accommodates different seat heights better than most.

Nails:
What a huge topic for us pluckers!!!! In the past, when a nail broke I glued on my mother-in-law's nails which she so generously donated to me !!!! More recently like so many of my colleagues, when a nail breaks, I cut up a bit of a ping pong ball, shape it and glue it on with crazy glue. I don’t like doing this too often as it deteriorates the original nail. Because of this, I have often used Rico Nails. I highly recommend reading Richard Stover’s book entitled A Guitarist's Guide to Finger Nails published by Mel Bay.