New Les Paul Ultra need some help with strings please

[Nicholas440]

Hi guys,

Im new here, my first post, and I'll try not to make this too long.

I just got a new Les Paul Ultra delivered to my house today, and I bought this without ever picking one up at the music stores, I did a lot of research here on line, and looked at dozens of Youtube demos and I really loved the look and sound, so I ordered one.

Anyhow, I unboxed it, and its' a beautiful piece of work, but my problem is with the strings. I picked it up and I tried to lay out a few chords, and wow Im telling you Im not a wuss but these strings really were hard to play and cut into my fingers a lot. I tried playing a little melody and I dont know how you guys " bend" the strings but there aint no bending with these they are really tough.

I was so disappointed in how it feels, and first just let me just say that I am 68 years old, I am self taught and I have played off and on since I was about 14 years old, and its been about 5 years or so since I have sat down and played mostly because I have a nice keyboard that I also play and have been amusing myself on the keyboard for a few years since I retired.

I've owned several accoustics, good ones, and I used to have a Gibson, I forget what model it was but it was a hollow body electric, that my uncle gave me about 40 years ago and somewhere along the way when I got a divorce years ago the Gibson vanished along with my prized Fender tube amp. But chit happens as the saying goes and I let it go.

Anyhow, I am not a pro player but I can pick a bit to enjoy myself and its fun. So can someone kind of fill me in on what strings I can put on this thing that would be really easy to play? Years ago I used a good set of flat wire wound strings on my old electric and they were smooth as silk, and you could play that guitar for hours and never get sore fingers. Ive seen a few videos on Youtube where these guys are playing an Epi LP, and they bend those strings and make it look so easy like the strings were not even tight. Thats what Im after, strings that sing, and can move.

I was undecided between the Epi Les Paul, and the Fender Strat, I really liked the Strat as well, and Im kind of thinking maybe I should have gone to the store and tried both to see who's easier to play.

The more I look at this Les Paul however the more I like it , it just looks like a sexy axe, not that Fender doesnt , but these Les Pauls just have a certain look and Im sure you guys will agree, they just look sexy.

I hope someone can let me know what strings I can get, so I can be happy with my purchase. I'd also like to post a few pics of it when I figure out how since you guys have a picture thread thats really cool.

Thanks in advance guys, I really like this axe, but need some advice if you can.

Nicholas,

 

[Barcslay]

hey buddy, it sounds to me like you just need a lighter gauge... i think what you outta do is go out and buy some d'addario strings, extra light gauge I think is what they are called. Try some 9's on there and you should get some good bends out of it. Also, put the strings on by "top wrapping"....google it if you don't know what it is

 

[dallenhos]

Here ya go

Let me google that for you

 

[Hairless_Ape]

Your problem may not even necessarily be the gauge of the strings, but the fact that some of the stock strings on new Epi's are brutal. The low strings on my LP Tribute were border line razor wire and had no give...they were an absolute disgrace. So if I were you I would try replacing the stockers with a set of Ernie Ball Regular Slinky's (10's) before I switched to a lighter gauge. It's only a couple bucks, so no harm in trying.

 

[Adwex]

Try these:
Buy Ernie Ball 2223 Nickel Super Slinky Pink Electric Guitar Strings 3 Pack | .009 Gauge | Musician's Friend

 

[Nicholas440]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I spent about an hour with the Les Paul and I have to say it really does need a good set of strings on it.

Im not sure what strings the factory used but as someone mentioned they are like razor wires, they really cut into your hand so I will have to put a good set on it. I think I'll try the suggestions you guys have put here, perhaps try a good set of 10s' and see how it feels , and also try a set of 9's to compare the difference, I dont think it would hurt to try them both and see how they play and sound. I know that the 9's are going to be brighter sounding, and Im really not heavy handed on the strings so Im not worried about breaking them.

I dont play with a band, just for my own entertainment but I do like a nice sound thats pleasing to my ears. I do have an excellent ear, I dont need a tuner, I can match any sound I hear which has always been helpful in my learning to play seeing as how I cant read music, but I may pick up one of these tuner gadgets anyhow to try it out.

I have to say also I really like the weight of this Les Paul Ultra, its got some wood cut out of the body to make it lighter, and it sounds very nice to me, and the neck on this thing is really skinny compared to my other guitar I'm used to a much thicker neck so this is really a bonus for me.

I may be 68 but Im a very young 68, I still love Blues, Rock, Pop, and most types of music and I think once I get the right strings on this axe, Im going to really enjoy playing it.

Thanks again, Im sure I'll have a lot more questions as I go along, but I really am enjoying this Forum, you guys have a wealth of information. Back in the old days as we say, without computers, one would be stuck or have to make several trips to the music shop, to get some information, not that music shops arent good, they are, its just easier to get a fast answer on a problem with the computer.

I also have to say I got a real good deal on this Les Paul I took advantage of the 15% off sale over Easter weekend, that really helped me make my decision on it.

 

[DualAxis]

It's probably a simple string change. Just put some new strings on and then decide whether or not to use lower gauge strings.

I use these

Buy Dunlop Zakk Wylde Icon Series Medium Electric Guitar Strings | .010 Gauge | Musician's Friend

Hope this helps

 

[Drayke]

I think maybe you should invest in a good Guitar set-up as the nut may need a little work? and you'll get a fresh set of strings with this.