James Burton's Custom Guitar Strings

James Burton, widely celebrated as the “King of the Telecaster,” has long been revered for his influential style, technical skill, and distinct guitar tone. Born in Louisiana in 1939, Burton became known for his unique “chicken pickin’” style, a percussive, staccato sound that quickly set him apart in the world of country and rock guitar. With a career spanning more than five decades, Burton has left a powerful legacy, not only through his work with iconic artists like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Merle Haggard but also through his pioneering approach to guitar tone and gear choices, and, particularly interesting to us, his preference for custom sets of guitar strings.

Early Years and Major Influences

Burton’s career took off in the 1950s when, as a teenager, he became a key player in the emerging rockabilly scene. His remarkable talent on the guitar led to his first major collaboration with Ricky Nelson, where his dynamic, fast-paced solos quickly caught the public’s attention. As his reputation grew, so did the interest of other major musicians, and soon enough, Burton was invited to join Elvis Presley’s band in 1969. Burton’s collaboration with Presley brought his unique guitar work to a global audience, cementing his place as a foundational figure in rock and roll and a true pioneer of electric guitar playing.

Collaborations and Influence on Music Icons

Burton’s impact is difficult to overstate, as he worked with countless influential musicians throughout his career. Beyond his decade-long collaboration with Elvis, Burton also contributed his signature sound to recordings with Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, John Denver, and many others. His style and tone have served as an inspiration to countless guitarists, including icons like Eric Clapton and Keith Richards, who have cited Burton’s work as a major influence. His technical precision, ability to blend different genres, and unique tone have all contributed to his status as a legend among guitarists.

Burton’s Gear and Custom String Choices

For James Burton, the search for perfect tone began with his gear, most notably his beloved Fender Telecaster. Over the years, Burton has experimented extensively with pickups, amp settings, and effects pedals. However, his journey to achieving a signature sound also involved highly customized string choices. Burton’s string preferences evolved through years of experimentation, as he sought a balance of tone, feel, and durability that could withstand the demands of his dynamic playing style.

Burton’s Custom String Sets

One of the defining features of Burton’s tone is his custom string sets, which he often tailored to suit his distinct picking style and tonal preferences. Known for his love of bright, twangy tones, Burton preferred strings that allowed for both clarity in his fast-paced runs and warmth in his rhythm playing. His custom sets typically featured lighter gauge strings on the high end, allowing for smooth bending and quick note articulation, while maintaining a slightly heavier gauge on the low end to preserve bass response and fullness.

An example of a typical Burton string setup might include gauges like .009, .011, .016, .026, .036, .046. This setup gave him the flexibility to execute his high-speed picking without sacrificing the stability of the lower strings, which provided a solid foundation for his country and rockabilly-inspired playing. Burton sourced these strings from various manufacturers, often combining different brands or materials to achieve his ideal tone.

Sourcing and Crafting the Perfect Set

In the early years, it wasn’t uncommon for Burton to mix and match strings to find just the right setup. He would often experiment with different materials and winding methods, seeking strings that could capture the brightness he desired while standing up to his heavy touring schedule. Eventually, Burton collaborated with guitar string manufacturers to develop custom sets that mirrored his ideal specifications. These sets allowed him to consistently reproduce his distinctive tone, whether on stage or in the studio.

The Tonal Impact of Burton’s String Choices

Burton’s choice of custom strings had a profound impact on his tone, giving him a distinctive edge that helped him stand out even in a crowded field of talented guitarists. His string choices allowed him to achieve both the bright, twangy highs and the warm, full lows that became his sonic signature. This balance of tone was particularly important in his work with Elvis, where his guitar needed to be prominent yet complementary to Presley’s voice.

Burton also employed custom strings in his work with Ricky Nelson - even going so far as to use banjo strings on his guitar. Nelson once recounted Burton excitedly showing off a banjo-strung guitar during the recording of the song "Believe What You Say." Burton came up with the idea as a way to make his bend-heavy solo easier, with the lighter banjo strings allowing him to effortlessly bend the strings further than typically possible. At first, Burton did it in a somewhat crude manner. He strung the top four strings of the guitar with banjo strings, using typical wound guitar strings for strings five and six. The gauges looked something like .009, .010, .012, .024, .032, .038.

In addition to assisting with bends, these lighter high strings gave Burton the ability to execute rapid, intricate picking patterns, a technique crucial to his “chicken pickin’” style. This percussive, staccato picking technique involves plucking the strings with a pick and finger in quick succession, producing a crisp, popping sound. Burton’s custom strings enabled him to maintain clarity and brightness in these intricate passages while ensuring his guitar's natural warmth remained intact.

An Enduring Legacy and the Power of Custom Strings

Burton’s careful selection of gear and strings is a testament to his dedication to his craft. He didn’t settle for standard setups; he created a custom approach that suited his unique playing style, showcasing the potential for guitarists to carve out a personal sonic space with the right gear and setup. Burton’s influence extends beyond his own playing. His commitment to experimentation with gear, particularly with strings, has inspired other musicians to seek out customized setups that enhance their own playing style and tone. Of course, that ethos is right up our alley, as Stringjoy was founded on the idea that every guitarist should be able to put together sets of strings that inspire them. So, if you haven’t already, consider your very own Signature set - because if James Burton is any indication, sometimes perfecting your tone is as much about finding the right tools as it is about practicing the right techniques.