Guired

Hi everybody.

I mostly play my Spanish guitar and doing barre chords is no problem, everything is fine.

However when I pick up my electric guitar (bought used, therefore strings are old and type unknown) switching between barre chords hurts my index finger.
The reason is the high e string feels like a paper cut.

Why is that? I need thicker or just new and smooth strings? Or new calluses this place on the index finger?

Any tips?

Offworld92

Both.

You should change your strings every time you get a new guitar. Strings only last 1-3 months.

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zl1288

Are you new to electric guitar? It seems like you are probably used to playing on nylon strings and haven't gotten used to the feel of electric strings. Definitely throw a new set of strings on the electric though, the grime may be exacerbating the problem.

Tremolo Bum

This. If you haven't played on steel strings it may take a week to build up tougher callouses. Definitely restring the guitar. It will make a huge difference if the strings are that old. I recommend a set with a .10 gauge high e string.

Blktiger0

I agree with all that's been said so far. I would go with .10's as well, then you could alter them later depending on what you want out of them.

There's a good chance that the strings have rust and corrosion on them that aren't helping your situation. Like Offworld92 said, you should be changing your strings every 1 - 3 months, so keep that in mind for the future.

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Guired

Yes I am new to electric.

Btw I believe I read somewhere barre chords were easier to do on electric guitar, but the high e string feels like a cheese cutter.

Okay thanks for the replies.
What about gauge .11 and .12?
I mean the thicker the better for my finger, right?

tubetime86

The high E basically is a cheese cutter... But you get used to it.

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Arby911

No, because thicker strings require higher tension.

If you want it easier, go lighter. I play 9's generally and am considering going to 8's when I run out of .009 sets. (It might be a while..., I've probably got 30 or 40 left...)

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Blktiger0

I was thinking .10's would be best because they're going to be thicker like acoustic strings, but not have ridiculous tension.

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- MXR 10-Band EQ
- ISP Decimator
(^Those are links^ )

Arby911

.10's? Bass Strings?


More seriously, I doubt the TS will note a significant difference in thickness between .009's and .010's, given it's only a thousandth of an inch, but .009's have about 25% less tension in standard tuning on a 25.5 scale.

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Blktiger0

.010's

I just figured the higher tension would feel more natural if he's switching from acoustic. Personally, I can feel a difference between the higher 3 strings on Skinny Top Heavy Bottoms and Power Slinky's. The STHB's are just too wimpy for me. It doesn't feel like there's anything under my finger. In addition, the reduced tension just makes the problem more pronounced.

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- MXR 10-Band EQ
- ISP Decimator
(^Those are links^ )

Cathbard

No pain, no gain. We all cut our fingers when we started playing on steel strings. Buck up, you'll get there. It just takes time.

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deadsmileyface

Lol at Cathbard. Handing out the tough love!

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trashedlostfdup

the string on my chese cutter broke a few years ago and i retrofitted a .09 string on the cheese cutter works just was well. dead serious.

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Blktiger0

+1 to guitar player ghetto rigging

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My Rig:
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- Pups: Bridge Neck
Egnater Vengeance
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- MXR 10-Band EQ
- ISP Decimator
(^Those are links^ )

Arby911

Racist.

Classist.

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woad_yurt

Old-time bareknuckle boxers used to soak their hands in brine to toughen them up.

Seriously, keep playing. You'll get some callouses where you need 'em.

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Remove V1 & V6. Put the 12AX7 from V1 into V6 and leave V1 empty. Try the vibrato channel.

Guired

Just to finish the thread.

I bought a pair of Ernie Ball Power Slinky 11-48 and the high e doesn't cut my fingers anymore, yay!

Feels pretty good, yet I still need some thicker skin some new places on the fingers.

Thanks for replies!

Blktiger0

Power Slinkies! An Excellent Choice, if I do say so myself.


(That's what I use )

Glad you got that sorted out

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My Rig:
Moser Bastard V
- Pups: Bridge
Epi Les Paul Standard
- Pups: Bridge Neck
Egnater Vengeance
- JCA24S w/WGS Retro 30s
- ZW-45 Crybaby
- MXR 10-Band EQ
- ISP Decimator
(^Those are links^ )