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November 2011
Posts: 741
Location: Fort Worth, TX | I'm on my fourth set of strings in 3 months on my Balladeer 40th re-issue. I've tried light and medium Elixirs, D'Addario, and Ernie Ball - both in light gauge. The whole time I've had this guitar I have been committed to learning fingerstyle. I'm looking for strings that give me the loud, bright, "jangly" sound reminiscent of how my D28 sounded with bluegrass strings... for some reason, I haven't thought bluegrass strings are right for this guitar yet. When I had mediums on it a visible dip formed in the top at each end of the bridge plate. I was afraid it would lead to cracking, and it went away a few days after putting lights back on. I'm concerned about that issue, but would go back to mediums if people on this board told me they regularly use them on their O's. The mediums had more punch and volume - which is what I'm after. Any suggestions? |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Two sets that I particularly like are GHS Lawrence Juber Signature Bronze and DR Sunbeams. The Juber strings are a bit brighter than phosphor bronze and have a nice feel. They're aesthetically pleasing too. The Sunbeams are compression wrapped on round core, so they tend to carry a bit more sustain and they also feel ... I don't know how to say this ... less stiff. The Sunbeam 12's feel like 11's even though they carry the same tension. Both brands come in multiple gauges and I've used both Lights and Mediums on a bunch of different guitars.
I use the Jubers almost exclusively on the 1537 these days, probably the last five years now. Since I think the 1537 has the most traditional woodbox sounds and the closest to the D- Martins, you ought to try them to see if it works for you. But the guitar itself drives how any string is going to sound.
gh trivia: Lawrence Juber played one of the original slotheads (now in the hands of an OFC'r) for Paul McCartney & Wings through the late 70's. I'm sure there are some pics about. |
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November 2011
Posts: 741
Location: Fort Worth, TX | When you say you've used both lights and mediums on a bunch of different guitars, are you referring to Ovations? I am really spooked about those dips that appeared in the top with medium gauge strings. I kept the mediums on about two weeks and the dips never got any bigger than the initial 1 inch long on each end of the bridgeplate. I am willing to risk mediums again for the extra punch in the sound - which I think benefits fingerstyle. Would you feel comfortable telling me to go for it on mediums? |
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Joined:
November 2011
Posts: 741
Location: Fort Worth, TX | When you say you've used both lights and mediums on a bunch of different guitars, are you referring to Ovations? I am really spooked about those dips that appeared in the top with medium gauge strings. I kept the mediums on about two weeks and the dips never got any bigger than the initial 1 inch long on each end of the bridgeplate. I am willing to risk mediums again for the extra punch in the sound - which I think benefits fingerstyle. Would you feel comfortable telling me to go for it on mediums? |
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December 2009
Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | The K1111 has the early X-bracing (as shown in the picture below). Compare it to the X-bracing pictured in "The Book," and you'll see that there's only a strip of fiberglass tape running from side to side in the lower bout (part #77). Because of that, I wouldn't put anything other than lights on mine, but that's my opinion. You've mentioned several times in the past how great that guitar sounds. Did something change or are you just looking for a different sound, i.e. something less than great? <VBG>
 (1111Bracing.jpg)
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | What actually came on the guitar from the factory?
That is usually a pretty good recommendation as what you should use. |
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December 2009
Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | Mine came with lights. The Ovation website says they use D'Addario EXP16 (.012-.053) Phosphor Bronze strings, but not sure how current that page is. |
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November 2011
Posts: 741
Location: Fort Worth, TX | You've mentioned several times in the past how great that guitar sounds. Did something change or are you just looking for a different sound, i.e. something less than great?
I'm looking for a sound that produces louder trebles in fingerstyle. I use a thumbpick that is overpowering the melody I play with the nail of my index finger. I tried early on just playing with my thumb and became proficient that way, but prefer the enhanced attack with the thumbpick. I'll eventually find a string that does it for me. Just got back from GC with a set of Sunbeam "medium lights"... they didn't have Jubers in stock. I'll let ya know what the Sunbeams do for me in a little while. |
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November 2011
Posts: 741
Location: Fort Worth, TX | SUNBEAMS IT IS!!! They sound fabulous fingerpicked and flatpicked with a rather stiff Gravity pick. Thanks stonebobbo... I owe ya one. I especially noticed how easy string bending is with them on flatpicked blues. |
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June 2002
Posts: 6198
Location: Phoenix AZ | dAddario EJ16 |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | With StringTubes. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | nothing coated |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I have taken a liking to D'Addario EJ11 and EXP11...
These are 80/20 Bronze and they have a crisp, refreshing sound that I am at a loss to describe.
But they are nice.
I tried the EXP11's first and really like them. So I tried the EJ11's (which are cheaper and don't last as long)
Anyway, you might wanna try them. Do the EJ11's first to see if you like them. |
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September 2003
Posts: 815
Location: Colorado | I used Adamas 1818s exclusively on my Adamas 1881 until about 18 months ago. I tried some EXPs and I just did not care for them. Eventually I switched to DR Sunbeams. I think they sound a little better than the 1818s (the Sunbeams ring just a little bit better) plus I can buy them at my neighborhood, locally owned music store for about $6.50 a set. To each his own. YMMV.
Edited by Todd G. 2012-02-14 10:58 PM
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December 2006
Posts: 6994
Location: Jet City | On Bobbo's advice I picked up some Sunbeams for the 1537. I'll try em on for size this weekend |
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January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Dad's EJ-16's....buy 'em by the 25 pack from Just Strings. Comes out to less than $4 a pack. At that price you can change 'em every time an ugly person looks at your guitar. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | +1 with dark bar on the EJ-16s. From time to time, I'll buy Adamas 1818s in bulk, too. I heard that as long as the strings are sealed in plastic, they have a long shelf life. Once opened, or if not sealed, then strings can start going flat whether or not the strings are stretched on a guitar. Just what I heard. For this reason, I stay away from the big bulk packs used by the manufacturers. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13988
Location: Upper Left USA | Have you tried some of the string sets for an Electric?
Smoother and sparkly-er, I got a guitar from Sergio L with SS strings on it and his reccomendation. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Mike, are you sure you don't mean "Illegitimi non carborundum"? |
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January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | You say "Illegitimi non carborundum"
I say Non Coribundis Illegitimus
I say Non Coribundis Illegitimus
You say "Illegitimi non carborundum"
Illegitimi, Illegitmus
Coribundis, carborundum.
Let's call the whole thing off....
Man, what a great song that was! |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Illegitmus. |
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Posts: 493
Location: California | Trivia answer: Tony C is the OFC lucky member who owns that guitar. 
Edited by hwebster 2012-02-15 7:12 PM
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | @Damon -- I actually use the Lawrence Juber Signature strings on the 1537. But the Sunbeams will be great too.
@hwebster -- Actually, the Juber/Wings slothead resides in Colorado with another member.
@Waskel -- I've worn out the string tube sets I have. Do you have a current source for them? |
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December 2008
Posts: 1453
Location: Texas | stonebobbo - 2012-02-15 7:33 PM
I've worn out the string tube sets I have. Do you have a current source for them?
You really should switch to USA-made string tubes, they never wear out…
(…nor does discussing them.)
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | I use 1919 Adamas Strings on mine .13 the really sings |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | stonebobbo - 2012-02-15 5:33 PM
@Waskel -- I've worn out the string tube sets I have. Do you have a current source for them?
They've been harder to come by since that dealer in AZ dropped off the map... I think he got cancer. Probably from handling the tubing too much.
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