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Silk & Steel for 12ers?

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2ifbyC
Posted 2008-03-16 2:41 AM (#448356)
Subject: Silk & Steel for 12ers?
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.
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Trader Jim
Posted 2008-03-16 4:50 AM (#448357 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?


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.
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bauerhillboy
Posted 2008-03-16 8:33 AM (#448358 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?


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
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BT717
Posted 2008-03-16 8:57 AM (#448359 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?


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.
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schroeder
Posted 2008-03-16 10:23 AM (#448360 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?


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
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2ifbyC
Posted 2008-03-16 10:31 AM (#448361 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268

Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast
Originally posted by bauerhillboy:
So I use Earthwood Lights regularly now.
Have you noticed any discernible diff in tone and/or projection?

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.
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Waskel
Posted 2008-03-16 11:02 AM (#448362 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?



Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840

Location: closely held secret
Originally posted by schroeder:
All "Real American" members of the OFC use 27 gauge barbed wire top strings........ :p
That's right. You'll have callouses in a month that takes most players years to achieve.


Once, the bleeding stops, and they scab over...
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bauerhillboy
Posted 2008-03-16 5:23 PM (#448363 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?


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.
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FlicKreno aka Solid Top
Posted 2008-03-16 6:39 PM (#448364 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?


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
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2ifbyC
Posted 2008-03-16 7:05 PM (#448365 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268

Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast
Originally posted by HumblePie aka Solid Top:
is the guitar set -up as " Light -playing " as possible ?
HP,

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.
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FlicKreno aka Solid Top
Posted 2008-03-16 7:32 PM (#448366 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?


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..
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2ifbyC
Posted 2008-03-16 7:43 PM (#448367 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?
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'.
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murph
Posted 2008-03-16 8:50 PM (#448368 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?


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
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MusicMishka
Posted 2008-03-16 9:18 PM (#448369 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?


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.
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Paul Templeman
Posted 2008-03-16 9:27 PM (#448370 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?


Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750

Location: Scotland
Originally posted by MusicMishka:
Martin used to make them...not sure if they still do...
They do, Set M200.
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MusicMishka
Posted 2008-03-16 9:29 PM (#448371 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?


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!
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PEZ
Posted 2008-03-18 6:33 PM (#448372 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?



Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111

Location: Nashville TN.
12 string silk & steel
http://www.juststrings.com/ada-4949.html
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twistedlim
Posted 2009-04-08 10:48 PM (#448373 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?


Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 1119

Location: Michigan
Originally posted by murph:
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
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.
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Patch
Posted 2009-04-08 11:11 PM (#448374 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?



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.
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PEZ
Posted 2009-04-08 11:30 PM (#448375 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?



Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111

Location: Nashville TN.
I been using GHS S&S on my 6751LX and GHS Silk & bronze on my W598
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MusicMishka
Posted 2009-04-09 1:08 AM (#448376 - in reply to #448356)
Subject: Re: Silk & Steel for 12ers?


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5563

Location: Blue Ridge Mountains
sigh, I love these old threads...so deja vu... :rolleyes: ;)
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