Dean Markley and Carl Verheyen Tame the Strat -
Dean Markley has announced the release of the new Carl Verheyen
Balanced Bridge Helix Electric strings. This
partnership brings a unique string set intended to balance the six
screw and two screw Strat-style bridges. The new string set
features a unique blend of gauges and features the new Helix
patent-pending hyper-elliptical windings.
Carl states the goal in his string selection: "Leo Fender's
original patent diagram shows the Stratocaster bridge floating, and
he intended it to be played this way. Some of us more devoted
Strat-style players have found a very musical end to this
invention, by setting specific intervals for each string and using
the bar to achieve melodic lines with the confidence of both
knowing those intervals and a guaranteed return to pitch. These
strings make that goal possible."
The Helix string uses a precise elliptical shape for the winding
wire. The shape then had to be paired with the correct winding
process. The hyper-elliptical winding process results in an
increased number of wraps along the length of the string. This
increases the mass of the string, without changing its diameter or
material. More mass makes a fuller tone; more windings give a
smoother feel as well as a brighter, more resonant tone.
Additional benefits of the hyper-elliptical windings are a relaxed
feel and less unwanted noise. The strings last much longer
without sacrificing tone and performance.
Carl explains the concept and methodology in greater detail: "My
goal was a strong, solid bottom end that would also react to the
back pickup and become twangy when needed. The integrity of a .037
A string seemed to beef up the bottom, and the smoother finish of
the Helix winding assured a fast playing surface. Next I
concentrated on the top three strings. I do a lot of 1st finger
bends on the high E string, so to insure there was still flesh on
that fingertip at the end of a gig, I went with a .009 for the high
E. The B string is where I experiment.
spring tension on the underside of the guitar. In the end, I
found that by utilizing Dean Markley's special Gold Series treble
strings, the tension was a bit lighter than the same gauge in the
usual tinned, plain strings-subtle, but just what was needed for
perfect balance and feel. When the gauges are right the bridge is
balanced, which guarantees tuning stability. And with the springs
adjusted correctly I get a return to perfect pitch for each
string."
The Carl Verheyen signature set offers his choice of custom
gauges:
E String: .009
B String: .012
G String: .016
D String: .026
A String: .037
E String: .046
Carl Verheyen is an accomplished guitarist with a multi-faceted
career spanning 40 years. While considered a guitar virtuoso;
he is also a producer, educator, arranger, vocalist, songwriter,
session player and studio musician. His exceptional talent
and expansive career brings numerous accolades from the music
industry. He has been named "One of the Top 10 Guitar Players
in the World" and "One of the Top 100 Guitarists of All Time".
MSRP: $12.95 USD
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Issue #68
Alter Bridge
Out Now