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April 2003
Posts: 183
Location: Denver, PA USA | Finally someone who agrees with me about coated strings. They say it doesn't affect tone. BULL! But maybe my ears are more sensative. I have yet to hear coated strings that sound as good as none coated, on an acoustic anyway. Electric is different.
Bill |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Lots of people agree with you Bill. There are over 3500 people on this board and about that many different opinions on strings. |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 183
Location: Denver, PA USA | That is what keeps so many string companies in business. Opinions are like armpits. Everybody has at least 2 and most stink. :) |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 613
Location: Zion, Illinois | I just tried a set of Martin SP Fingerstyle on my Haida Gwaii 6-string this weekend. These string have a softer core and I can feel the difference. They are easier to bend and a lot easier on the fingers. So far I am happy with the way the play and how they sound. I'll let you know later what my final judgement is. |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I like the D'Addario EXP and regular Phosphor Bronze for my Ovations. I have used Martin SPs in the past and they seemed fine, also. Elixir Polywebs sounded absolutely DEAD, I won't waste time or money on them again, but the Nanowebs sounded great on the Larrivee parlor guitar I had. Haven't tried them on any of my Ovations, though.
I use the .012"-.053" Light on my 6-strings and .010"-.047" Light on my 12-strings.
Roger |
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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | I use mainly custom light strings (11 - 52), and depending on my budget, I either use D'addario EXP 13 or Martin SP (phosphor bronze). Pretty much I use them in all my guitars. |
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June 2005
Posts: 1
Location: Desert Paradise, California | I use Dean Markley Alchemy Gold Bronze-CL or Medium guaged. They have an incredible tone that I have never heard before, and they last really long too! And best of all, they make my Applause sound better then my dad's Balladeer (within reason)... |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487
| Well I just got a great deal on 5 sets of the Adamas Strings Med 56-13. So I guess it will be the Adamas's for a little while. My Last were Martin's ? My problem is I find other companies make so many of these packaged name brand strings. The Adamas & the Martins could be made by D'Adario for all I know?
Randy |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | This may be old info, but it's been my understanding that there are just a few actual string manufacturers. The string-making machinery is VERY expensive, therefore it isn't cost-effective for everyone to make their own strings. This doesn't really matter though, since these mfgrs will make strings to the customer's specs. So...D'Addario makes strings for Gore, who in turn puts a coating on them and markets them as Elixers (my personal favorite). I believe Adamas strings are made by D'Addario as well. That DOESN'T mean that Adamas strings are the same as D'Addario strings. It's just like this in the import guitar business (or the sneaker business for that matter). |
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Joined:
August 2004
Posts: 604
Location: Tampa, FL | I've been using Webstrings for the past year. Not sure what I think of them, they seem to last longer than others I have tried (could be I'm just morphing into a more tolerant grumpy old man). I have tried their light gauge which, I thought, compared favorably with the Adamas 1818 's I'd been using for a while. The last batch I bought were an intermediate weight somewhere between Light and XL (.011 on the treble E). My next purchase will be back to Lights, I don't care too much for the sound of these 'plus' strings, kind of jangly. Then again that could just be my tinnitus flaring up :rolleyes:
Anybody else tried these and have an opinion? |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 167
Location: Waxahachie, Tx | I've also been using Webstrings, the Portland Acoustic flava (Pho Bro), in Lights and Xlights I've been using them on my 1127 and they sound great, play good. This past weekend I put a set of DR Rare RPML-11 on the 1127 and it has a great tone much better sounding then the Webstrings just a much more blended kinda woody tone.
Now when I first received my 1771LX I did all the recommended adjustments to get the action low and tried lots of different strings and the only ones that worked best, were the D'addario EXP16's but they didn't really sound that good either.
That was until I decided to send the LX back to Kim Keller for an evaluation. He called back saying my brand new LX needed a neck reset HUh!. Well I received it back and it plays great and sounds great no matter what strings I have put on it, currently I have some Elixir Nanoweb lights on it and it sounds fantastic, and I tried these on it before the neck was reset and they didn't sound near as harmonically, perfect as they do now. What I now know about guitar setups, intonation, neck-resets, makes me wonder if I'll ever buy a guitar sight unseen or played. |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Since I am old and on a fixed income, I have had to improvise.
I have found that some of the better quality shoelaces will work for the low E, and low A, the D can be replaced with a well worn heating element from a discarded electric broiler. The rest, G, B and high E can be found in discarded TOASTERS as very few toaster owners realize that they have a treasure trove of high strings, some of which can be used on a mandolin!!!
I have sent this tip to Elouise also, but haven't sen it printed as of yet.
Glad to give you guys first chance at a bonanza of FREE strings. |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Wasn't such a great idea when Lady S came to make the toast this morning.
And they don't hold tune too good.
And my shoes keep falling off.
I don't want to be critical, but these are not great ideas. |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Elixers DO sound different from non coated strings. Whether it's better or not depends on you. I prefer the uncoated strings but the D'Ad EXPs are pretty good too.
The best strings are free, second best is cheap, and third is the ones you pay full pop for but these should last a lonnnnng time.
I think Bailey is onto something, If you want a softer tone go for the rawhide laces but you have to tune them down to D. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | i'm pulling on fiber snags from the rug.... |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I'm workin' out a deal now with Cathy on braided llama hair strings. More t'follow . . . . |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 580
Location: NW NJ | I use Markley Alchemy Gold Phos Lights (11-52). Great sound, great longevity, great color, easy on the fingers. |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | On a serious note I've put a set of the GHS gypsey strings (silver plated silkenstill, 11-47?) on one #35 slothead and they are really responsive. Great for playing blues things. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | W2,
are you using a pick or fingerpicking with those? |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Both, the medium white MOTS johnson pick or a white Dunlop thumb pick and fingernails (sometimes the real tortise pick compliments of Mr Templeman, Thanks!). They have all the feel of steel but a bit warmer sound. Easier to play but that's the lighter guage. I cranked the neck down pretty straight and it has about a 2 1/2 and 2 action. This guitar was always really responsive anyway so it can get the most out of these strings. I tried them on my 84 C-Series without as big a result.
It's a nice change of pace from the regular sound and feel of the 12-52 phosB sets, but those are still my favorites, the Ad 1818 set. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | btw, Bill;
How'd yer friend Connie like #35??
Nice Couple . . . . |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I put a set of medium silk and steel Rotos (compliments of Schroeder, Thanks!) on the FD14. They too are very responsive and have an almost "classical" sound while fingerpicking, but they buzz alot when using a pick even just a bit aggressively.
I'm begining to think I need to give this guitar a new setup as the buzzing seems particular pronounced on the "A" string at the 4 fret.... |
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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | Dean Markley Alchemy Gold Bronze, I saw that these strings are not cheap. Are they really that good? Are they coated? I liked to give them a try, but don't know if there better than Elixir, Nanos. As for Silk and Steel Strings, they're comfortable on the fingers, but that don't have the ring, and projection or a metal strings.
Tommy |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 167
Location: Waxahachie, Tx | This place sells them I don't know if it's worth the hassle of Mail order or just driving to your nearest dealer.
The price seems the lowest I've seen.
Dean Markley |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 580
Location: NW NJ | $9 and change is a great price for Alchemys. Yes, they are coated and they last a long time for me. I think that they are easily as good as the elixrs (IMHO) and they don't get fuzzy. They look beautiful on the guitar and they sound great too. |
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What strings do you use?
