GHS lottery

August 11 &12, 2006: Venice, Italy. Photo: Polly Samson.As you may know, GHS are putting out some David Gilmour signature strings – Boomers – for the Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul.

For the very first time, the following string gauges will be available in sets: 0.10, 0.12, 0.16, 0.28, 0.38, 0.48 (Stratocaster) and 0.10.5, 0.13, 0.17, 0.30, 0.40, 0.50 (Les Paul).

They’ll be available in all good shops, starting in the States, but eventually worldwide, within the next week or two.

To win a set, just choose any one string gauge.

If you’d like a set of strings for a Strat, choose one from either: 10, 12, 16, 28, 38 or 48.

If you’d like a set of strings for a Les Paul, choose one from either: 10.5, 13, 17, 30, 40 or 50.

Simply match one of the two numbers selected by me, Lotto-style. Everybody with that number will then be entered into one of two prize draws, from which winners will be chosen purely at random.

Please get your number in by 1PM (UK) Thursday (that’s this Thursday, 29 November). Winners will be announced on Friday.

As usual, it’s strictly one entry per person only – no excuses, no entering on behalf of parents, siblings, friends or pets. And, if you’ve got a Strat and a Les Paul, I don’t care. Just toss a coin and choose one or the other, please.

The best of luck to all.

Here’s the latest instalment from Phil Taylor’s Q&A.

What gauge does David use on his electric guitars? (Frank Par)

Different strings on different electrics. GHS Boomers for Strats/Teles/Gretsches, 10, 12, 16, 28, 38, 48; and for Les Pauls, 10.5, 13, 17, 30, 40, 50. GHS are soon to release these two sets of “David Gilmour” strings.

Which strings do you use on lap steel guitars? (Emilio)

David currently uses D’Addario EHR360 half rounds on his electric lap steels.

Are the lap steel guitars tuned differently to normal EADGBE, or does David prefer to keep everything the same? (Emma)

They are different. His favourites are EBGEBE or EBG*EBE or EBGDBG.

177 comments

  2. Elliot Henrikson

    Honored to post on Mr. Gilmour’s site.

    19

    (David, your 4/20/06 show in LA changed my life…thank you)

  3. Ivo Linssen

    That’s a ’17′ for me!

    However, a workshop “How to set-up your guitar with DG-strings” by Phil Taylor would be useful, haha.

    Fed, any bets for tonight’s game? Another 8-0 would do, I guess?

    Cheers,
    Ivo

    [Not being greedy, I'd gladly settle for a 7-0 win. - Features Editor]

  5. James Ward

    Bit of a guitarist question here, what would be the best gauge to go for (string-wise), for a Les Paul?

    A kind of in-between?

    - James.

  10. LYN (maroonedonanisland) BELLE

    G’day Fed and Blog people!

    Please help!

    My father thinks David is playing Comfortably Numb in the pic above. I think it’s Take A Breath. Please tell me I’m right otherwise I lose a tenner.

    Lyn

    [Beats me, but I'll say it's 'Take A Breath' if you give me a fiver... - Features Editor]

  16. Paul_C

    Caption:-

    Guy laughs when David said, “I hope the rain doesn’t get into my Big Muff!”

    Paul :-)

  17. Manuel Alfaro (Samadhi)

    I like the 10.5 number for my LP.

    Thanks for this great lottery!

    Manuel (Samadhi)

  18. Rudders - Toronto

    Slightly Useful Information…

    When you put these Boomers on a guitar it is worth remembering that unless you are replacing a set exactly the same guage you’ll need to go through a set up routine.

    Check your intonation and action because of the two different guage sizes involved…

  38. Buffalo Phil

    Oh yeah, today’s photo (very cool) reminded me of something off topic: Do you know if Polly has ever considered putting together a DG photo book for publication?

    Ever since I was a wee Floyd fan, I’ve been continually frustrated over the lack of pictures available showing David actually playing. Regardless if it were Magazine articles, posters, or whatever, most photographers always seemed more intent on capturing the spectacle of Floyd (ie; distant stage shots) rather then the musicians themselves.

    This massive portfolio Polly’s created, showing David “up close and personal”, would be nice to share outside this wonderful site. Just a thought…

    (By the way, I absolutely LOVED the design inside the DVD booklet. The collection of photos/guitars/picks/etc is a spectacular sight)

  40. George Maciver

    16

    Woot, another competition. Looks like David will have to go on tour again to keep us in prizes.

  43. Anthony Green

    10

    YES, I DO HAVE A STRAT, SO WOULD GO TO GOOD USE, NOT BEEN KEPT IN A DRAW GETTING DUSTY

    Anthony in UK

  51. Renee B

    Numero 13 like the back of my son’s Soccer Jersey…

    By the way both my kids soccer teams made it to playoffs..my first time coaching in playoffs..wish me luck.

    Renee B.

    [Good luck. - Features Editor]

  52. Deviance

    Guess I’ll run with 38

    Looking forward to these hitting the stores! Much easier than buying 3 sets of strings to make up a set. Way to go!

    James’

  53. Veronica_from_Miami

    38

    Anything of David Gilmour is a treasure to us.

    Love to join the excitement or perhaps I might be lucky and may win myself a set. You never know…

    Good luck everyone!

  54. Rudders - Toronto

    Hope you’re ok Fed!

    This is the time of year for coughs and colds so be careful :-)

    Have you had your ‘flu jab yet?

    [Don't worry about me. I don't leave the house these days without my hat, gloves, ear muffs, surgical mask, anti-bacterial spray, pointy stick, photographic ID... - Features Editor]

  55. Kerry

    I wanted to say 38, but its my Birthday today so I gotta go with 28!!!

    [Happy Birthday, Kerry. - Features Editor]

  60. Susan

    Dear Fed & fellow bloggers,

    I am sorry to say that my cancer has returned.

    Tomorrow I am going in for exploratory surgery and will also have another port-a-catheter installed for more chemo; along with removal of some cysts.

    You may recall that I have Ovarian Cancer, but have been in remission for about 8 months. (It was nice while it lasted!! LOL)

    Just to let you know, I may be gone for a while, so if I win the STRINGS, please save them, and I will send FEd my address as soon as I get home from the hospital!!

    So I’ll miss chat, too, as I don’t have a lap-top, but hopefully it’ll be a short stay in the hospital this time around, and I’ll be there next week.

    Take care everyone!! Oh! I finally got an MP3, so David & his music are coming along with me. I also bought a copy of OAI for my Dr to listen to in surgery!!! (He’s a PF fan, so you know I’m in good hands :)

    ~Susan

    [Try and stay positive, Susan. All the best. - Features Editor]

  63. Deviance

    48 for me in memory of those often forgotten lower notes….. ;)

    [There must be something wrong with your memory, as you've already chosen 38. - Features Editor]

  68. Gabrielle Childers

    Just for fun …

    17

    Snow’s on the ground, more snow in the forecast, and December is right around the corner — perfect for a bonfire, music, hot drinks and smiling friends:) If I could have my way, this would quickly be followed by an escape to a tropical island with cold drinks, hot sand, gorgeous blue ocean, and the music that nature provides. Of course I’d have some David Gilmour sounds mixed in for good measure!

    … in the meantime, snow’s on the ground, more snow in the forecast …

    Peace ‘n’ Love!
    Gabrielle (with High Hopes)

  71. TonyK

    30 for me please F’ed.

    Hope you are well, and missing all the colds that seem to be flying round this area at least.

  73. Andrew_S in Toronto

    I recently heard the RTN version of SOYCD on Q107 and thought that it would be great to have a live CD, so I’m thrilled by the news of the live CD. Not to mention the fact that it answers (for now) the question of “What’s next”.

    Also nice that the GHS strings will be available just in time for Christmas.

    My number is 48.

    Oh, if you’re interested in trying to save the whales, you can fill out a Greenpeace sponsored email to some Heads of State asking them to apply pressure to countries that are whaling (click my name). These majestic beasts do not deserve this fate. My family always goes out whale or dolphin watching on our vacations and I can’t believe anyone would want to kill them.

    P.S. I think I heard a collective sigh of relief from Reds fans today. ;-)

    [Happy to sign, and sigh, Andrew. - Features Editor]

  75. Lucia

    I want them too! I don’t know which set I should choose and why, but 28 seems to me a nice number!

    Have a nice day

    L!