giggsy
Hey all - just need a bit of advice. Playing my first little gig on acoustic guitar (with a drummer and a singer) on the weekend, very small, 100 people or so.
So - when would be the best time to put new strings on the guitar? At the moment my acoustic keeps tune very well; how long will it take new strings to 'bed' in?
Then I'd also like to add a bit of 'dirt' to a few songs. There are a few bands playing, so I assume I'll just plug in through a DI box in to the PA - can I put an overdrive pedal (or maybe more) before the DI?
And help/tips would be appreciated!
Squonk
My ritual is to change the strings 2 days before the event, but sometimes I forget and do it the day before. Steel strings don't take that long to stretch, just need to play them in a bit.
I have seen acoustic guitarists use an overdrive, but you might need more than a couple of days to play around and get used to dialing in the tone you need!
AlanRatcliffe
Depends on the guitar and how you string it up. Properly strung (i.e. with minimal windings on the tuning machines) and with decent tuners, it should settle within 24 hours.
Yes you can put a drive in front of a DI. Drive can be a little harsh through a full range system like a PA, so you might want to back off on the drive tone a bit.
Big-G
One trick I use to add drive to an acoustic is to run a separate line from the DI's 'Thru' port to an amp to add distortion, then mic the amp. Perhaps you could do this and utilise someones amp. The only thing here is make sure the amps volume is low, or you'll have howling feedback. If an amp is not available, then using the 'thru' port on the DI, instead of going to the amp, go to the distortion/overdrive pedal, then run that into a second DI. That way you can balance in a bit of dirt whilst you retain your acoustic clarity.
Hope that makes sense?
Regards
G!
giggsy
Thanks guys - appreciate all the input :applause:
beardedmoose
I string my guitars the evening before a gig, before you start winding, pull your string from the nut about two and a half frets back and then wind to ensure a decent wind, (you dont want the whole string on your tuner , you want it to be able slide along leke.) Tune your guitar to your prefered tuning, and then lightly stretch your string upwards.. gently you dont want to break the poor thing. tune your guitar again. repeat this about three times and your string should be stretched and settled nicely. Like alan said it helps to have quality tuners. I prefer the Kluson type tuners vintage style man it worked back then... its gonna work now.
And good luck! have a leke one.
