Heavy strings, hard attack = Bad Express Tone

Express, Liverpool, Rocket, Dirty Little Monster, etc.

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rooster
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Heavy strings, hard attack = Bad Express Tone

Post by rooster »

I just wanted to bring this up because for some reason this point has been driven home quite often lately. If you pick hard - like your playing an acoustic guitar 'hard' - and you use a gauge of strings bigger than a .009 - .042 - then you are not going to get an Express circuit. You will not find the experience enjoyable and you will not 'get' the Express. You need a disciplined pick attack and some finesse. The Express is a sensitive amp, not a BF Fender or a Marshall Plexi.

There, I said it. :D
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M Fowler
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Re: Heavy strings, hard attack = Bad Express Tone

Post by M Fowler »

I build them but I can't stand my playing through an Express.

Yup my string attack is hard so I enjoy a Marshall high gain amp or the Hot Rod Tweed "Bluesmaster" circuit 50w.

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Roe
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Re: Heavy strings, hard attack = Bad Express Tone

Post by Roe »

I prefer light strings and a softer magnet. Try the throbak magnets, e.g. unoriented alnico 5
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2tone
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Re: Heavy strings, hard attack = Bad Express Tone

Post by 2tone »

Yep.. Express tells you how it wants to be played..It does teach you about dynamics, more accurate picking etc.. You can't resist an Express, only join and comply!!!
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Re: Heavy strings, hard attack = Bad Express Tone

Post by Mark »

I think strings do have a sweet spot on how hard you can strike them. 10-46 and 10-52 sound fatter and it's likely that you'll play them harder. I'm sure you can strum them softer too.
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