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February 2007
Posts: 57
Location: North Oregon Coast | I'm just now getting back into playing guitar after a lull, and I can't remember what kind of strings I last put on my 1983 collector's series but they sound a bit too bright for my taste.
I've heard about silk strings and how they're easy on the fingers (might help me 'til I get my calluses back), but I've never tried them before, can someone enlighten me about them? I like low to medium tension strings, if that matters any?
Thanks! |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | There are pages and pages of string talk if you do a search for
"Strings Silk Steel "
Search both "General Posts" and "The Vault"
Welcome aboard. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Just get a regular set of strings and spend a week in pain and build your fingers up. There is no short cut. All the half steps are just that and your fingers will still hurt. Just jump into the pool and get it over with. You'll be happier then. |
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Location: NJ | tequila helps. |
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Posts: 799
Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | Originally posted by cwk2:
Just get a regular set of strings and spend a week in pain and build your fingers up. There is no short cut. All the half steps are just that and your fingers will still hurt. Just jump into the pool and get it over with. You'll be happier then. This is starting to sound like a 12 step meeting. LOL!
I say be a wussy and get the silk an steels, but won't sound very good. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Don't forget the Tequila. It will make them sound better. |
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January 2004
Posts: 799
Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | Originally posted by Goober:
Originally posted by cwk2:
Just get a regular set of strings and spend a week in pain and build your fingers up. There is no short cut. All the half steps are just that and your fingers will still hurt. Just jump into the pool and get it over with. You'll be happier then. This is starting to sound like a 12 step meeting. LOL!
I say be a wussy and get the silk and steels, but they won't sound very good. |
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January 2004
Posts: 799
Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | Originally posted by cwk2:
Don't forget the Tequila. It will make them sound better. Yes...rum punch will add some. |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Just remember two things:
Pain is Good.
The Liver is Evil & Must be Punished. |
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January 2004
Posts: 799
Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | After hernia surgery a few years ago, my surgeon told me that I had the only liver he'd ever seen with stretch marks. Well, like George Harrison said, you only live 567,301 times. |
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Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | Ray,
cwkII, Cliffor, and Goober may be major goofballs, but they know what they're talking about. Get a set of regular light gauge strings. You're gonna be sore for a week but that's not a bad thing. Every couple of weeks my calluses break and peal and I start over. It's no big deal....
Tequila definitely helps..... |
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Location: NJ | . . . unless of course you mix it with that sugary, "mix" crap that Moody drinks it with . . .
Just "keep at it".
After hurting for a day or two, it goes away . . .
(of course, I'm referring to the strings . . . not the tequila) |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Rule of thumb :
Silk & Steel for small box (and Cedar Top )
Moonshine "outshines" Tequila and anything else,unless it`s Chivas regal ;)
Vic |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | I've found Silk & Steel strings sound good on my 97 collectors,(parlor size body), and as Vic has mentioned a Ceder top. On a regular top they just don't have the punch to get the top vibrating.
Moonshine will definitely get your top vibrating.
Along with those Bluelights in your rearview mirror. |
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Posts: 799
Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | >>Every couple of weeks my calluses break and peal and I start over. It's no big deal....<<
"That's what she said!" - Michael Scott |
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Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | Silk and steel sound dead and flat, and unless your setup is high, they buzz a lot.
If finger pain is really an issue, CAREFULLY put a drop of superglue on each offending fingertip (if you're not careful, your new nickname will be "Webbie!"). Instant callouses.
And don't forget the tequila.
Rick |
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Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | Grasshopper, I tell you the truth. Use the wussy strings for one week to get your fingers engaged. THEN go to Mapes heavy gauge. Uh...for get the last sentence. I'm drinking lunch again. |
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Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Hey Moon-Ray,
Do you play your '83 mostly plugged in, or are you trying to maintain some illusion of "big acoustic sound" from the SSB? If your just plugging in, go for something in the .010-.050" set range. They'll sound good plugged in and wont hurt you (too) much. If you're wanting more from it unplugged, you're going to have to bite the bullet, drink the liquor, and play something in the .012"-.053" range to get the top moving. |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Silk'n'steel strings sound fantastic if you fingerpick. They are not as loud as bronze/phosphor bronze but they are much sweeter.
These guys all play 18-74 sets and wanna be Conan the Barbarian.
Try a set of silks - you really might like them.
We wusses need a little solidarity here. |
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September 2006
Posts: 347
Location: Reno, NV | In my opinion, 11's are the best compromise between playability and tone. The only time I notice a problems with 11's is when you get a little too excited and start "power strumming" They can't quite handle it. 12's on the other hand sound too "tight" for me, if that makes any sense. I like the extra sparkle and definition of 11's, the fact that they are easier on the fingers is an added bonus. I do think that 10's are a bit too weak and dont have enough energy to drive the top successfully. Im going with 11's from here on out. Im tired of wincing in pain on those Bb barres.
If you are looking for an easy string to play that still has good tone, check out the Ernie Ball Super Slinky 2148 (Black & Pink Package). |
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Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Normal "10's" No Way!!
Savarez 1610's (.010"-.046") Waaay!!!
Schroeder liked them just fine....
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Dija notice Schroeder's shoes matched the carpet at the Homewood? |
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Location: SoCal | Fred, I thought the Savarez were 10-45 or 11-46. |
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Location: Orange County, California | You're right. I meant .011"-.046" :rolleyes: |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Oh Yeah,He`s back ,Hi there Glue Master,missed You my Man ,glad You got your nose out of the glue bin ;) Kidding Aside :That is Sound Advice :) Yet ,there is another way :
Find Strings that You Like,such as D`addario EJ 18 gauge 14-59,then DeTune (tune like Baritone) and use a Capo,You will be able to play it in a regular fashion,fingers won`t hurt so much,You `ll feel like the Macho Man that Girls Like,and if You do n`t have any connections with shady elements,can n`t afford Chivas,and if it has to be a mexican drink,then ,by jove,let it be MESCAL ,and insist the worm is Fresh !! :) that way You won`t have to worry about Blue Lights,`cause they`ll be hidden behind the Pink Elephant :eek:
Vic :cool: |
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Location: Upper Left USA |  |
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Location: Keller, TX | I've got a set of Savarez 1610MF's right here. They are 11 15 23 29 37 46. I play them on the cootie. I tried to put Adamas 1818s on it, didn't like the sound. The 1610MF's are going back on it.
Just tried the Silk Steels on the StewMac kit guitar and it sounds much better than with the 1818s or the D'Adds.
I use Elixir Nan's lights on the Millenium.
The Koa sounds best with heavier strings. I think it has medium EXPs on it now.
The Legend sounds fine with the D'Adds or the 1818s. Haven't tried anything else on that one yet.
So there. |
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February 2007
Posts: 57
Location: North Oregon Coast | Originally posted by schroeder:
Silk'n'steel strings sound fantastic if you fingerpick. They are not as loud as bronze/phosphor bronze but they are much sweeter.
These guys all play 18-74 sets and wanna be Conan the Barbarian.
Try a set of silks - you really might like them.
We wusses need a little solidarity here. Yes, I finger pick mostly! I just picked up some Martin silk & steels, so I'll give them a try and report back! |
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February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | I get a lot of kids started playing guitar. I always start them out on Silk & Steels to give their fingers a break. When they're ready for a string change I put regular strings on.
John <>{ |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Glad to see you were able to make a clear decision Ray.
We'll wait for the report! |
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Posts: 4413
| What kind of an idiot takes advice from me? |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | What kind of an idiot takes advice from me?
the term "Idiot" is Greek I think ,and means "private person",so Your advice would then be accepted by those who are tired of "Public persons" (Politicians=Pollywobs),besides,You did give SOUND Advice,SilkySteels are Naiz for FingerPickin` :) ,remember the slogan from PICKERING Phono cartridges.." For Those Who Can Hear the Difference ".. ;)
Sincerely Yours,..SilkySTeel FingerPickin`User
Vic :cool: |
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Location: ranson,wva | 13's on everything except the artist and the 12 string........jason |
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Posts: 4413
| Bump!
Any thoughts yet Ray? |
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Silk strings?