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April 2006
Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Just what we need--another string question. ;)
Does anyone play silver-colored strings as opposed to phospher-bronze or bronze ones?
Many moons ago I used to put silver-colored Martin strings called "Country 'Something-or-Others'" (yes, the name escapes me now, due to encroaching middle-age) on Gertrude that I really liked, but I haven't seen any in years (at least not around here.)
I'm thinking that the tone of the phospher-bronzes sounds almost too "bright" for my majestic ol' lady, somehow, and I'd like to find strings that match the deep, warm mellowness she now projects. I don't mind the EXP13s on Jewel, but I really don't like them on Gertrude.
Any suggestions?? I'd prefer something I can pick up just one package of, so's I'm not stuck with several packages of something I don't really like.....my favorite string size is "Custom Light."
Thanks a lot, everyone; I appreciate the collective wisdom the board has.
--Karen |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Tony Rice uses nickel strings for his old D-28. Just for the fun of it, I ordered some. The Tony Rice signature set (from D'Aquisto) only comes in mediums. They were like telephone wires. They last about 2 minutes before they came off and were tossed.... |
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November 2005
Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | For mellow, try cat gut strings.
Shouldn't take more than two cats. |
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Posts: 5332
Location: Bluffton, SC | But feel free to go for more if you get the chance. |
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Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Karen,
Try some Martin 80/20 Bronze. MSP-3100 light .012 - .054. |
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December 2005
Posts: 1234
Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | I run D'Addario XL electric nickel wound on my Gretsch 6120, seems to agree well with the TV Jones Filtertron pickups and they hold up a lot longer than the bronze for this guitar. Don't think I've ever noticed any acoustic nickel on any display racks.
Though I won't spend any more money on them, DR makes the extra-life "Silver Star" coated acoustic strings...you might give them a try and see if you like 'em.
Tim |
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April 2004
Posts: 795
Location: Texas | yes, I use D'Addario Nickels EJ-21 and EJ-20 sets on all my acoustic guitars, including my Adamas.
they sound great and last a lot longer than any others and even old strings sound good.
:) :cool: |
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January 2006
Posts: 1132
Location: NW Washington State | Karen-
I looked in the closet at the end of the hall, and found these:
Dean Markeley "Blue Steel" Medium Light 12-54
Dean Markeley Electric Medium 11-52 (8 sets)
D'Addario Electric EXL115 11-49
I think that all of these are "nickel" with a wound 3rd. They've been in the closet for years, so they might not be as good as new strings. I can't use them anymore due to old, weak, dishpan hands. Send me an email with your address and I'll mail you any or all that you want. I've got another box of strings around here somewhere, maybe there are more "nickel" types there.
-Steve W. |
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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Regular bronze (80/20) strings are not as bright as phophur bronze. Lots of companies make them. I personally don't like PB strings. As for nickel strings, I thought that those are only for electric guitars. |
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Posts: 4413
| There's no law says you have to use bronze or ph/bronze strings on acoustics. I've known dozens of folk/blues players who always use nickel strings, often with a plain 3rd to ease the bending. I really like the sound.
You pays your money and takes your choice.
Go into your local store and just buy a cheap set to try. Live a little! |
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April 2004
Posts: 795
Location: Texas | Absolutely agree with Schroeder, many players use and have used nickel strings on acoustics for years.
I can kill a set of phosphor bronze, bronze, brass, or any combination of those materials in about 30 minutes plus I don't like the tone, they are just too bright the first 15 minutes, then they sound great but die fast. Nickel sound great from the start and last longer.
Larry Coryell used them and John McLaughlin always used nickel strings with a plain 3rd on his early recordings when he played the Ovation steel string and also on the Shakti guitars before he switched to nylon string guitars.
Norman Blake uses a combination of nickel and bronze, Tony Rice uses just nickel, etc. and many more players.
Experiment and maybe you will find a string that works better for you, your style, your guitars and that will last you longer. I found that with nickel strings years ago.
Oh, and GHS makes the white bronze sets which are great, they are also nickel and many players love them. |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I never used nickel strings on an acoustic ... I'll have to try it. I'm wondering though, would they wear out the fret board faster than phospher or bronze? |
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Posts: 795
Location: Texas | no |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Interesting discussion. I'll have to check this out. I have a set of Pyramid Silver Wound strings on the 82C right now and they are really nice. They seem smoother and not quite as bright (harsh?) as the PBs when they first go on. Pyramids seem to last a long time for me. |
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Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | How would they sound on a parlor size,(97 Collectors), guitar? |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | A while back, I posted a question about using nickel D'Addario EXL150's on an a/e Custom Legend 12-str (or an Adamas 1685 or 1688).
Only because the dealer screwed up the order and sent 12 sets instead of 5.
So, I ask again...any one tried these or other nickel sets on a 12-str and/or their opinion?
round wound, .010-.046 |
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April 2004
Posts: 795
Location: Texas | yes I have Tony, they sound great!
try them, you'll love them.
:cool: |
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Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Serge, thanks...will try on one of the 1658 slotheads. |
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September 2006
Posts: 347
Location: Reno, NV | Correct me if Im wrong, but I always thought that 80/20's were brighter than Phosphors, at least out of the box. I think that 80/20 deteriorate faster and mellow faster, but otherwise start out brighter? |
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March 2006
Posts: 482
Location: enid, ok | Also bear in mind that there are nickel strings, which can be tricky to find, and nickel-plated strings, which are over-abundant, and very cheap. Much of today's packaging is rather vague, so it can be difficult to tell the difference, but the nickel-plated are mostly steel, and are much brighter. The plain strings are steel anyway, of course, but you'll hear a difference on the wound strings. |
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April 2004
Posts: 795
Location: Texas | this is the set I like and use on my acoustic guitars:
http://www.daddario.com/DADProdDetail.aspx?CodaID=588&ID=1&Class=AA...
:cool: |
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April 2006
Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Thank you, everyone, for all your input and insight. There is a store within 15 minutes of me that is supposed to carry the strings Serge recommended; Numbfingers, I'll be sending you a PM.
There are many reasons why so many of us rate this board the best--this thread is living proof of that.
I'll be sure to post results once I get Gertrude all settled with her new "accessories." ;)
--Karen |
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November 2007
Posts: 125
Location: UK | It all a matter of taste, apparently that why a cat licks it's ....
I tend to use different strings on different guitars for a variety of sounds. I use Silk and Steel and have just discovered the Adamas ones, which I like. Got mine from PT. |
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Question about nickel (?) strings...
