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Location: Flahdaw | I know....please not another string thread.
But fwiw, I tried the Ernie Ball Aluminum/Bronze strings just for the hell of it. They really ring, each string has punch and projection. Everyone has different taste, but I may have finally found some new strings that compare or beat the Dadd's EJ-16's that I've used religiously for years, for near the same price. |
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Location: NW Indiana | Hi Bob G, I put a set of EB Aluminum Bronze on the 'O' #1112-2 and also a Martin 000-28. Really nice sound. Like you said, there is a special ring to them. I have also been trying the new Martin "Tony Rice" monel strings, and they have a great, mellow sound. |
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Location: Thredbo, NSW, Australia | I'd really like to know what you think of these after you've played them a while.
Please keep us posted on what you think.
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | rhansen - 2014-06-02 11:24 PM
I have also been trying the new Martin "Tony Rice" monel strings, and they have a great, mellow sound.
I believe the monel strings are nickel plated. I learned from Thom Bresh (Merle Travis' son) about pure nickel strings his dad played on his old Martin. I found them at juststrings.com. They're John Pearse Pure Nickel acoustic strings. I was able to go to mediums since they have significantly less tension than other strings. They turned my guitar into a different instrument altogether. They are cheap and last easily three times longer than anything else. Shipping costs more than the strings. It takes a few days of playing for them to settle in so don't rush to judgement if you try them. Very bell like sound and sustain out the wazoo. Also very clear string separation on chord strumming. I'll never use anything else. They sound great on my OM, 12 fret slothead dread, and on the Elite I had. |
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| I strung up my Alvarez with a set of the EBs, but the clerk @ GC handed me .12s. OUCH!
I usually use TI Plectrum 10s. Going to play a bit more with the EBs, but those .12s are
killing my hands.
Got 3 sets of Plectrums standing by. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Ok, played 'em, loved 'em, bought more. I highly recommend the aluminum bronze
Edited by BobG 2014-11-05 12:36 PM
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Location: SoCal | How long did they last and how much you paying for them? |
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Location: Flahdaw | I'm not really THAT picky, so they lasted 6 months. And I think they are about $6 |
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Location: SoCal | 6 months?????
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | $6.29 at Sweetwater if you buy 5.
I gotta try these. 
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Location: Flahdaw | Like I said...I'm not THAT picky. Others would have switched strings at one month. (might have been 5 months...) |
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Location: SoCal | I've found that non-coated strings last about a week.
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Location: Flahdaw | I don't have gooey, sticky, food encrusted fingers, so my strings seem to last longer than other peoples (at least to MY ears). I actually know people who wipe their strings down between songs to get the oil off. But my fingers stay dry, yet still soft and supple.... |
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Location: Cork, Ireland | I've found very little difference between different brands with the exception of the cheapest Martin strings which are terrible. But then I am not a working musician |
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Location: Thredbo, NSW, Australia | I've tried two new, to me, types of strings over the last week.
I put a set of the Ernie Ball Aluminum/Bronze strings on my CE768 (medium lights 12 - 54). They are very bright, much brighter than the EJ16 I'd been using. I'm still trying to decide if I like them, but so far they sound good.
I've also put a set of GHS Silk and Bronze (medium lights 12 - 54), on my Adamas 2081. I'm after a warm or mellow sound for this guitar, which is why I got the silk and bronze. Unfortunately they don't sound warm to me and are a bit brighter than the Martin M130 silk and steel that I had been using.
I'm thinking of trying the GHS Vintage Bronze on the 2081 to get a warmer sound. Any suggestions anyone?
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Location: SoCal | On the Adamas,put on Elixir phos/bronze lites, the new ones with the heavier trebles and G string. They sound good on mine..... |
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Location: Thredbo, NSW, Australia | immoody - 2014-11-07 3:22 PM
On the Adamas,put on Elixir phos/bronze lites, the new ones with the heavier trebles and G string. They sound good on mine.....
Thanks Moody, is that this set? 16052 Light .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053
http://www.elixirstrings.com/guitar-strings/phosphor-bronze-guitar-...
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| immoody - 2014-11-05 5:38 PM
6 months?????
Yep. Looks like my reply is gone about TI Plectrums, but yes, 6 months.
TIs consistently last much longer than the other brands. The sets on my
Höfner 1967 500/1 have lasted 2 years so far, plus RIC 4003-s, which
we're changed at the same time.
I would suggest trying a set, to see for yourself.
Joe |
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Location: Utah | Rollei, how would you describe the tone of the TI Plectrums compared to regular phosphor bronze strings? Marketing descriptions for every brand of string promises more warmth and more brightness and more overtones. Several members here have recommended the Plectrum but I am not sure which guitar would be a better fit for that string. |
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| FlySig - 2014-11-08 9:20 AM
Rollei, how would you describe the tone of the TI Plectrums compared to regular phosphor bronze strings? Marketing descriptions for every brand of string promises more warmth and more brightness and more overtones. Several members here have recommended the Plectrum but I am not sure which guitar would be a better fit for that string.
Rich, full bass, perfect highs. They last forever compared to regular phosphor bronze strings.
For almost 30 years I used nothing but Martin Marquis. A friend of mine gave me a set
of the Plectrums, and that's all I've been using ever since, for the past several years.
Wish I'd tried them sooner. Makes me want to go back and re-record everything! I get mine
from the online seller in N.C. And, TI warranty is great. The g string on my 67 Höfner bass
mysteriously broke after a year. I called the distributor who immediately sent a replacement
string, only asked I send the broken one back to them.
Super fantastic customer service. Could not recommend them more highly.
Good luck with yours.
Joe |
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Location: Flahdaw | For $6 or $7, it's worth trying out a set of A/B's. If you don't like 'em, no big deal. But I'm betting you will.... |
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Location: New Hartford CT | Bought 5 sets, just tested them. Very nice on a Millenium. Thanks for the tip.
By the way BobG db, are you actually related to DaveKell and also represent Conant handmade Guitars, I read it on the internet. Likely a silly rumor of course. |
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Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah | I have a newfound respect for Bob G. after listening to some of his guitar lessons on acoustisongs. I can no longer dismiss him simply as Dave Kells's identical twin separated at birth! I am not sure if he was using a Conant or not but it sure sounded good! |
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Location: Flahdaw | Wait, WHAT!!!! |
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Location: Michigan | looks like the big secret is finally out
man up bob , it is time for you to come out of the closet. GWB |
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Location: SoCal | guitarwannabee - 2014-11-09 7:01 PM
looks like the big secret is finally out
man up bob , it is time for you to come out of the closet. GWB
Yup, in the closet half brother and sister.....
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Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah | And Dave Kell himself has already said that he is glad the subterfuge is finally over. You are not, however, welcome to appropriate his finest of Conants! |
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Location: Denmark |  This is going to be a good day.
Edited by tpa 2014-11-10 1:37 AM
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Location: Flahdaw | I have NEVER slept with Duane Allman, or even been ON his tour bus! |
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Location: Cicero, NY | Not making that cut wasn't a bad thing, Bob.
Plan B of getting ON the Coco Chanel bus probably was... |
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | darkbarguitar - 2014-11-10 6:14 AM
I have NEVER slept with Duane Allman, or even been ON his tour bus!
Ever since we've been little kids you've done this thing to rile me. Mom always sat you in a corner for it. Dad always encouraged you and that's why I detest him. Fortunately mom always liked me best. I assure you I told nobody you were my half brother, per our agreement when you turned me onto this place. I'm sorry nerd let the secret out. But to quote Homer Simpson, "what're ya gonna do?" |
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Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah | There you have it! Straight from the horses's mouth!! Nothing more to say!! Thanks DaveKell for being so honest and forthright about a topic so many would rather see swept under the rug. |
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Location: Yokohama, Japan | What the... |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Dave, was it your Mom who turned Bob onto those girlie shirts? |
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Location: Flahdaw | Actually, DaveKell was adopted, after his crackhead mom gave him up. The brain damage wasn't apparent at first, but he's done fairly well, all things considered... |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Bob, your Avatar makes me suspect that Dave might not be the stepbrother with the brain damage. |
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Location: cincinnati, ohio | Back on topic here... ^_^
Bob - you said you got the light gauge, I think? I'm getting arthritis in my fretting hand, and I'm looking for something that's E-A-S-Y to play. It's gotten to the point where I've tuned down 1/2 step and have a permanent capo on the first fret (yes, the nut was filed down by a master luthier; it's a 1971 Balladeer that's set up about as perfectly as is humanly possible). I'm using D'addario extra light bronze on it.Tuning down and capoing isn't a real issue; I'm not advanced enough to use the dots on the neck. I also play a lot of James Taylor and Lightfoot, so I use the capo A LOT, and am used to it. But I think I would like to be able to tune to concert pitch like the rest of the kids, and I'm looking for any advice I can get.
Thoughts? |
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Location: Flahdaw | Well, Rick, I wouldn't say the A/B's are any easier to play than P/B's. I personally don't have an answer for you. I usually always tune down a step and capo up E. THAT is a little easier, but if you don't want to do that, then I can't think of a "softer" string... |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Rick... Have you tried "Silk-n-Steel" strings?
They are very easy to play, almost like nylon.
I have them on my 1114 Folklore and the sound great, and are surprisingly loud.
I got them because SnS strings have a much lighter tension, and the 1114 has had a rough life.
The brand is Martin Marquis M1400.
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Location: cincinnati, ohio | Arthur - that sounds like a plan. Do you know if they sound good amplified? I read that they're good for fingerpicking, which I do a lot of. Thanks; I may try that on my Balladeer, and possibly my CS257.
Edited by rick endres 2014-11-12 3:36 PM
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Location: New Hartford CT | I tried recording with the EB Alum Bronze 12-54 strings. They are very crisp and powerful for fingerstyle and the strumming sound is pretty huge. That said a purist might wish for a softer feel or tone...but with my old ears that are missing some high end these things sounded great recorded straight onto ZoomH2 SD card. The fingerpicking really rang out..sometimes that super crisp sound of changing chords sounds cool on a playback. I really sensed the difference of material, the aluminum bronze is quite a bit brighter, maybe not for everyone though. |
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Location: cincinnati, ohio | GHS makes acoustic silk & steel strings that are gauged 10 to 42 from high to low. That’s an even lighter gauge than the Martins. Might be interesting…
Edited by rick endres 2014-11-13 10:50 AM
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Location: Canada | As we are on the string topic ... for you O (in particular 12-string) do you prefer to remove ALL strings (so some cleaning and inspection can be done) before putting on a fresh set, or do you prefer to replace string by string individually to maintain overall tension on the guitar? |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Remove all the strings. Clean the guitar, oil the fretboard. Instruments in he violon family need constant tension simply so the soundpost doesn't fall over. (They are a bear to get back into the right place.) But you don't need to keep tension on the guitar. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | 99% of the time I do like CS says. It's a good opportunity to clean and oil the fretboard and check things over well. I remember doing it the other way, but can't remember why. Possibly because I only replaced one string, or less likely, that I had recently cleaned and oiled the fretboard. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | rick endres - 2014-11-12 1:32 PM
Arthur - that sounds like a plan. Do you know if they sound good amplified? I read that they're good for fingerpicking, which I do a lot of. Thanks; I may try that on my Balladeer, and possibly my CS257.
Yes, Silk-n-Steel sound good amplified.
They sound different, like any string change.
And they last a long time, which surprised me.
(I thought that I would kill them quickly)
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Location: Mexico City | Hello Rick,
Have you tunned your guitar with James Taylor sweetened method? It sounds very nice, and tune his guitar a few cents down per string:
http://www.jamestaylor.com/guitar/lesson-five-bonus-video/
If you play fingerstyle, I agree with Arthur that silk and steel is hard to beat, but the king of confort and sound in fingerstyle is the thomastik plectrum, specialized on old instruments, and people looking for easy playing.
Check the sound of this strings:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xcZKTTbBEQ
Where they sell, and fans opinions:
http://www.juststrings.com/toi-ac111.html
Good luck in your search |
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Location: Muenster/Germany | I use the THOMASTIK Plectrum .11-50 on all guitars. Especially on 12strings it is a new world, really. These strings need more maintenance (string cleaner like fast fret or similar) than others but sound so much better and are very easy to play and go easy on old guitar tops. |
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Location: sitting at my computer | Last week I picked up a set of the Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze strings. Put 'em on my daily player, the 1667 Legend cutaway. I got the Medium Lights (12, 16, 24, 32, 44, 54), 'cause I tune down to D-standard (for my vocal range) and the heavier gauge strings help keep up the tension. Ernie Ball states these strings have "bigger tone" and "more projection than phosphor bronze" and have "enhanced bass tones, punchier mids, and crisp / clear highs." Well, to my ears, their claims are legit. I like 'em! Depending on how long they last, I may have new "favorite" stings. At least for my 1667. Thanks for the recommendation BobG. |
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Location: New Hartford CT | I like them a lot SOBeach. I play about an hour/day and have found the strings sound good for around a month or so. At that point I'm ready to change them out and get that crispness back.
PS-I always give them a quick wipe down after use and store my guitar in its case.
Edited by Geostorm98 2015-04-23 12:41 PM
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Location: Flahdaw | Yeah, I still really like 'em |
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| I like the EB A/B strings the best. I have tried EJ16's, Silk and Steel, Elixirs...the EB have the best sound and hold up very well. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | I guess I gotta try some of those ab strangs. Thanks for the tip BobG. Sorry to hear about your half brother buti guess that splains somethings. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Don't ever mention my half-brother in mixed company again! |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Did I ever tell you the real story behind your avatar picture? |
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Location: Flahdaw | Actually, yeah. When we were at the Paul Thorne concert. VERY funny story. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | And true as well |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | And true as well |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | cwk2 - 2015-05-02 9:06 AM
And true as well
Good one Beal, just leave the other 11,456 of us hanging! |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Kind of a PSA...
I just bought 10 sets of THESE for $20. FX130 Silk & Phosphor.
They arrived today, and I put some on my 44 year-old 1121. They sound good.
And they are $2 a set. This price probably won't last.
I ordered another 10 sets. MF sez that I saved $149.
So, if you need some really light tension strings for an old guitar, here's a deal.
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New Strings