F-50R string change -- lots o' choices

[chazmo]

Hi folks,

I guess I went a little bonkers on the Strings & Beyond web site the other night. What to do?

OK, so the truth is I was just stocking up there. I'll be doing a little TLC on the herd over the next few weeks now that I can keep them out of their cases and enjoy them around the house...

Frosty and I had spoken about strings the other night, and he recommended a big change of pace -- Thomastik Spectrums. These strings are expensive, but they are quite unique and interesting. They have a silk layer sandwiched between the steel core and bronze windings. I like the way these sound and feel on the F-50R. They take a lot of the bite out of the wound strings and make the guitar better balanced, really. A lovely sound.

Anyway, here are a few pictures of "Cap" taken in the process... These first few still have the D'Addario EXP PBs on.

Recently replaced nut:

A thirsty (and now happy ) fretboard:

Thomastiks on, some Hoboken F-50R pix for you to enjoy:

 

[Brad Little]

My God, that's a beautiful guitar. What camera and lens combo did you use for the pics? I'm still adjusting to the post 35mm world.

Brad

 

[Brad Little]

Let us know what you think when you try the RED strings, they sound interesting.
Brad

 

[chazmo]

"Cap" is definitely photogenic, Brad! I have a well-lit kitchen table where I futz around with the guitars... That really helps.

Believe it or not, the pictures are taken with just a Canon Powershot 6MPixel snapshot camera. I love this thing. The only thing I mess around with is the macro setting and turning off the auto-flash (sometimes).

I don't claim to be a great photographer, but this thing really does take great (digital) snapshots. It also does pretty well on the interior of the guitars (there are some shots of Cap that I took a couple of months ago on photobucket: http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc47 ... d%20F-50R/ ) .

Anyway, thanks very much, Brad. And, I will keep you posted on the Red Brand strings... I haven't decided which axe to try them.

 

[Cypress Knee]

I have been a John Pearse Phosphor Bronze fan for a long time, but have been trying out some Curt Mangans lately and really like them. Any other thoughts there?

CK

 

[kostask]

I have posted before about how happy I am with the GHS Laurence Juber Signature Bronze Lights (LJ30L). I find that they seem to work well on guitars that do well with the slightly increased string tension or stiffness they seem to have. Both the bass and the treble are better, to my ear.

Kostas

 

[Scratch]

I took John Kidder's 12 string advice and put a set of Thomas Plectrums on the F212 on Saturday. They're a bit expensive, but well worth the price in my opinion. 'Bronson' F212 now has a 60s jangle that the replaced D'Addario strings did not provide.

I put a set of DR Rare PBs on the F312 yesterday after getting 10 months out of a set of JP PBs. Quite honestly, I didn't expect the DRs to perform as well as they do. Even better, they were only $11.00 per set which is pretty inexpensive as far as 12 strings go.

I'll buy more of each...

 

[Frosty]

Quite a looker, Chaz! I've said it before - the D-55 and F-50R guitars look regal to me.

There is no one-size-fits-all for strings considering the differences in guitars and players. However, I think most anyone with ears would say that the Thomastik strings are different from anything else. I've got a good friend who dislikes them, but I have found them to be a godsend for certain guitars. The really "left field" set is the Plectrum AC-112. I was about to use a '30s Gibson for kindling until I put on a set of those - this sonic difference was dramatic. Whether or not you like the sound... well, that's personal opinion.

 

[chazmo]

Hey, guys,

OK, well I'll have to add DR, GHS, and Curt Mangans to my test sample next time. After plunking down a C note for the current crop, it may be a while.

Frosty, thanks for the recommendation. I'm really enjoying the Spectrums right now. You will too.

 

[vintage52]

Very nice indeed. I'll get my F50R up on here soon so we can compare.

Bill

 

[chazmo]

Very nice indeed. I'll get my F50R up on here soon so we can compare.

Bill

What year is yours, Bill?

FYI, I have a lovely '71 as well, and I put up some pictures on that one a while back... viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10779

Best wishes!

 

[vintage52]

Hi Chaz

Mine is a 1980.

Will be back soonish with pics...(that means couple of days)

 

[West R Lee]

Some fine looking Braz there Chazzy.

West

 

[chazmo]

None too shabby, eh West? It's even more interesting how this is a laminate where the inside layer exactly matches the outside layer. Really quite a feat. I've never seen such care taken to do something like that.

 

[jazzmang]

I'll be getting my new F50R (Tacoma built) in a few days as well.
I've got some EXP16s, EXP19s, Elixir Nano PB Lights and Elixir Nano 80/20s to test!

 

[taabru45]

You guys make such a big deal out of some things..........like getting a new F50.....I mean its not like bringing home a newborn, is it. I mean you don't set up a special room, paint and insulate it from noise while keeping it comfortable etc for the baby, or do we......hmmmm, as I've said before. we don't buy these things.....we adopt them. :lol: :lol: Steffan

 

[chazmo]

I'll be getting my new F50R (Tacoma built) in a few days as well.
I've got some EXP16s, EXP19s, Elixir Nano PB Lights and Elixir Nano 80/20s to test!

Mang, I didn't actually play the Tacoma version of the F-50R, but my F-512 is (as you know) its 12-string brother. All I'm gonna' say is you may be in for "best of breed" delight very soon. Looking forward to your review. Oh, and you might want to put these Thomastik Spectrums on your list down the road for a little more folksy type sound. I'm really diggin' 'em on Cap.

 

[chazmo]

You guys make such a big deal out of some things..........like getting a new F50.....I mean its not like bringing home a newborn, is it. I mean you don't set up a special room, paint and insulate it from noise while keeping it comfortable etc for the baby, or do we......hmmmm, as I've said before. we don't buy these things.....we adopt them. :lol: :lol: Steffan

Hehe...

But, that is so true... we do adopt them, even a newly purchased one. There isn't a guitar in this house that I don't expect will long outlast me, Cap included.

We are merely custodians in the school of rock. (I made that up, by the way, even if it seems like Jack Black should've said it)

 

[jazzmang]

I'll be getting my new F50R (Tacoma built) in a few days as well.
I've got some EXP16s, EXP19s, Elixir Nano PB Lights and Elixir Nano 80/20s to test!

Mang, I didn't actually play the Tacoma version of the F-50R, but my F-512 is (as you know) its 12-string brother. All I'm gonna' say is you may be in for "best of breed" delight very soon. Looking forward to your review. Oh, and you might want to put these Thomastik Spectrums on your list down the road for a little more folksy type sound. I'm really diggin' 'em on Cap.

Will do.

I'm pretty excited about it too. Its a burst finish with DTAR. Review and pics to come as soon as I get it in (June 11th). Hope it gets here alright!

 

[Punkybub]

Mmmmmm...... what a looker! I be she sounds like a piano too. You're a lucky guy...

I have been a John Pearse Phosphor Bronze fan for a long time, but have been trying out some Curt Mangans lately and really like them. Any other thoughts there?

CK

CK - I've been using Curt Mangan phosphor bronze for quite a while and really like them. They remind me of Guild strings - strong fundamental tone and enough harmonics to keep it interesting. .13s on the big boy (JF55) and .12s on most others and for electric they even have the elusive .10 1/2s in nickel. Big fan here! :mrgreen: