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Silk & Steel for 12ers?
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2ifbyC |
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Joined: December 2006 Posts: 6268 Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | I'm about to order some S&Ss for the '97 based on some recommendations via 'search' here. My questions are: How many of ya'll have tried 'em on your 12ers? And if so, which 'O' model(s)? And your evaluation(s)? I've been using light nanos to build up my tolerance to level 10 pain and some callouses. After I adopted TJs '97 and realized that I can somewhat handle D'Addario EXP's .012 (yeah, I'm a PU assy), I'm now looking to get a little more out of my 12ers without using rebar. BTW, if it makes a difference, I'm a 'campfire thumb strummer' with some finger-picking tossed in (picks kick my azz! ). There is a 'string' web site offering free shipping for a limited time. So I want to stock up and try some different string configurations. Since I'm unsure of the solicitation policy here, if ya want the site and free shipping code, contact me. No, I'm not associated what-so-ever with the site, other than being a satisfied customer. | ||
Trader Jim |
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Joined: June 2006 Posts: 7307 Location: South of most, North of few | Johnny, I guess they make S&S sets for a 12 string, although I've never really seen any much less tried them. | ||
bauerhillboy |
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Joined: February 2004 Posts: 1634 Location: Warren,Pa. | I've used Earthwood S&S's on my 1115 and they sound fine. Honestly, I did'nt think they were any easier on my hands than Earthwood Lights. I'll bet we're about at the same "talent" level and I have issues with arthritis in my hands, so I'm always on the lookout for strings that are easier to play but still sound good. So I use Earthwood Lights regularly now. John | ||
BT717 |
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Joined: October 2007 Posts: 2711 Location: Vernon CT | This is a little O.T. but I use the same site for my Strings. Great people and very reliable. | ||
schroeder |
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Joined: November 2004 Posts: 4413 | Never ever heard of S&S for 12s. Would make no sense. If you're after a low tension soft-feel set you need Thomastik Spectrum series - be warned they are not cheap but to the best of my knowledge nobody else makes an equivalent set. All "Real American" members of the OFC use 27 gauge barbed wire top strings........ :p | ||
2ifbyC |
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Joined: December 2006 Posts: 6268 Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by bauerhillboy: Have you noticed any discernible diff in tone and/or projection? So I use Earthwood Lights regularly now. My 12ers sound OK, but they just don't have that blended 'fullness'. The highs sound 'tinny'/'weak'. I was attributing that to the lighter gauges. | ||
Waskel |
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Joined: February 2005 Posts: 11840 Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by schroeder: That's right. You'll have callouses in a month that takes most players years to achieve. All "Real American" members of the OFC use 27 gauge barbed wire top strings........ :p Once, the bleeding stops, and they scab over... | ||
bauerhillboy |
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Joined: February 2004 Posts: 1634 Location: Warren,Pa. | Johnny, I guess I wish I had a stronger bass from the Earthwood lights, but it's got that little stress crack showing at the neck/headstock joint and it's 30 years old so I don't want to push my luck with heavier strings. I don't want my hands to have to play heavier strings either. You can't have everything. BUT I did put an OpPro in the 1115 so when it's plugged in I can make up for lack of bass. Schroeder, I was in love with the Thomastik strings on my CL12 which I no longer own. I got a wedgie over prices of my favourite strings a couple of years ago. I just got pissed over paying $27-30 for Thomastiks or (shall I say it) Elixers. So I started buying Earthwoods because they are the least expensive strings. IMHO, except for the 2 "special"brands named above, Earthwoods are just as good as any other strings. But I am due for a new set and maybe I'll send for a set of Thomastiks just to feel the magic once again. | ||
FlicKreno aka Solid Top |
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Joined: April 2006 Posts: 2491 Location: Copenhagen Denmark | THOMASTIK PLECTRUM are Silk/Steel..in different gauges even , and a 12 string sounds chimey/thin/harmonious , is the guitar set -up as " Light -playing " as possible ?... Vic | ||
2ifbyC |
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Joined: December 2006 Posts: 6268 Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by HumblePie aka Solid Top: HP, is the guitar set -up as " Light -playing " as possible ? No it isn't. My luthier is excellent but, ummm... let's say 'deliberate' (aka slow due to work load and quality). I'm still waiting for an Epi Sheraton II to find it's way back from his shop. As soon as I get it, A-D and I need to talk. (back to the subject matter...) So for now I'm hoping I could find a temp solution via strings. | ||
FlicKreno aka Solid Top |
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Joined: April 2006 Posts: 2491 Location: Copenhagen Denmark | You mention `97 , is that an Ovation ? ,...if it is , could you try and adjust it ye`rself , like , remove a shim or two , tweak trussrod a little , bear in mind that Silk/Steel bass -strings need a little more clearance than bronze ...it`s Not that hard :) Vic ..just leave that third 6 -pack in the fridge `til after.. | ||
2ifbyC |
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Joined: December 2006 Posts: 6268 Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | HP , The '97 Collector sixer is fine (thanx to TJ). It's my 12ers I asking about. I'd like to get a bit more out of 'em. I'm fairly sure that the light nanos I'm using are a major part of the 'weakness'. | ||
murph |
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Joined: September 2007 Posts: 108 | I used to use Silk and Steel exclusively and LOVED the sound. I haven't been able to find any up here in Canada, so now I'm going to look on this site. I have another friend "Cliff Erickson" in Michigan and he gets an outstanding sound with them on his pacemaker. I've been chasing that sound for years. Check out his promo video on this link to his "my space" and you'll see what I mean. The video is a little way down the page, and you have to stop the songs that load in on start-up. http://www.myspace.com/clifferickson | ||
MusicMishka |
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Joined: March 2005 Posts: 5563 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Martin used to make them...not sure if they still do...I used to use them back in the day (well, even before the day) and they had a nice feel and a mellow tone to them...I used them on an old Martin D 12-28...I'm sure someone still makes them. | ||
Paul Templeman |
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Joined: February 2002 Posts: 5750 Location: Scotland | Originally posted by MusicMishka: They do, Set M200.Martin used to make them...not sure if they still do... | ||
MusicMishka |
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Joined: March 2005 Posts: 5563 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | I have another friend "Cliff Erickson" in Michigan and he gets an outstanding sound with them on his pacemaker. Great video: and a great musician...Thats why I used Pacemakers for so many years...outstanding guitars! | ||
PEZ |
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Joined: July 2003 Posts: 3111 Location: Nashville TN. | 12 string silk & steel http://www.juststrings.com/ada-4949.html | ||
twistedlim |
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Joined: November 2008 Posts: 1119 Location: Michigan | Originally posted by murph: I saw Cliff Sunday. Nice performer. He swears by his Ovation and silk steels. He said he gets about 6 weeks before they go dead...playing gigs 5 nights a week. I just may try some althogh the tension does not seem to be that much different. I may keep the 10s on my high Es to start with.I used to use Silk and Steel exclusively and LOVED the sound. I haven't been able to find any up here in Canada, so now I'm going to look on this site. I have another friend "Cliff Erickson" in Michigan and he gets an outstanding sound with them on his pacemaker. I've been chasing that sound for years. Check out his promo video on this link to his "my space" and you'll see what I mean. The video is a little way down the page, and you have to stop the songs that load in on start-up. http://www.myspace.com/clifferickson | ||
Patch |
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Joined: May 2006 Posts: 4221 Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | I've got S&S on my Custom Balladeer 12-string now, and it ain't the first time. If you happen to like to finger-pick the Octave-Stringed Beast (It's pronounced string-ed, not stringd), they certainly have a pleasing tone. After 20+ years of playing this 12'er, I've discovered there is no such thing as "light" gauge for this type of instrument. The set-up is the key. My CB is set very low and plays like butter. I might add that you can go lower than normal with the action because you don't need to pluck/strum as vigorously to get good volume out of the dual courses. BTW, I use Martin S&S, but mostly because that's the only kind I ever seem to find in stores. | ||
PEZ |
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Joined: July 2003 Posts: 3111 Location: Nashville TN. | I been using GHS S&S on my 6751LX and GHS Silk & bronze on my W598 | ||
MusicMishka |
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Joined: March 2005 Posts: 5563 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | sigh, I love these old threads...so deja vu... :rolleyes: ;) | ||
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