Here are My Plans!!!

[JimbowF212]

I have had my Dad's old D-28 in the shop getting some work done on it that it was in desparate need of and it should be coming home soon so since I have the two Martin's I have been thinking how I could use the two and their rolls in my music. I think I will use the Old D-28 for fingerpicking and the D-35 for flatpicking. I recently acquired a Baggs Ibeam pickup from Beal and it will go in the D-35 for sure so that Axe seems right for the flatpick guitar and the older more mellowed out D-28 makes more since for the fingerpicker. I of course can only play one of them at a time since I have never been able to play one in each hand at the same time :lol: but, this is how I feel they should be used. What do all of you think???? I will use My favorate Vinci PB Mediums on the 35 but, what strings would be good for the 28 and fingerpicking, you know, what gauge PB or Reg Bnz, which type of strings work best for Fingerstyle, have any of you used the new Martin fingerstyle stringsor do you have a brand you think is better. Since I am getting into fingerstyle and I am a relative novice at it I think I need a big lot of HELP form those of you that Know. Also, what size Guild would be better for this style of picking for later on, for now I'll have to use what I have and I don't feel too handicapped. :mrgreen:

 

[killdeer43]

Jimbow,

In the past 40 years I've had guitars ranging from (you'll know the makers) J45s & 50s, D18s & 28s, a slew of cheapos and lesser-knowns, and a bunch of Guilds.
I've successfully (in my own estimation!) fingerpicked every guitar I've had and I use medium or light guage strings of better quality whenever I can afford them. I also change strings with some regularity.

You'll get a lot of input here and there about body size, nut width, etc., but I say to try all that you can put your hands/fingers on and see what works best for you. After all, you're the driver/picker here and what works for one doesn't always work for all. :wink:

Best to you,
Joe

 

[ESRdescollines]

Hello Jim,
I follow Killdeer in his ideas. At the other side, but this is very personal, if I don't know really what is the best, I always take JP's #600L 0,12's you can't do wrong with that. But, look back to your own experience in the past and follow your own insight. Don't be afraid to do a test with different types. Greetz Erwin

 

[JimbowF212]

Thanx guys;
I know what works for me with flatpicking and the best I have tried for that is the Vinci Phos bnz Mediums I mentioned. I am just not sure what to use on the old D-28 for Fingerstyle. Right now, they will put a new set of Darco PB Lites on when the repairs are completed due to the fact that I put a set in the case when I dropped it off and that is what dad was using on it when he passed on and he had a big bunch of them left so I used them instead of buying anything else, hey they were free but, they are not the best strings. I think they are as good as the Martin regular PB they just cost less but, I don't care that much for Martin strings, they make great guitars but, their strings are junk to me except the SP+s and since they moved the manuf of them to Mexico I don't really care for them either. I used Guild PB Mediums on my D-35V when I first got it and until I found the Vincis. Vinci manufactured the strings for themselves and Guild for a long time until the Fender takeover then the Guild strings were takenover by someone else and they just weren't as good after that. I tried a set of JP's on my D-35 and they disagreed with each other but maybe they might suit the old 28 so I'll see if I and find some around here. Thanks for the advice and Please keep it coming.

 

[kostask]

JimbowF212:

As I have written before regarding strings, I really like the GHS Laurence Juber Signature Bronze (LJ30L), both for flatpicking and fingerpicking. I feel that they have a wider frequency range (highs and lows) than most strings (can't say that I have tested them all), and they seem to work really well with dreadnoughts and OMs. If you are just starting with the firngerpicking, you may want to give Martin's FX strings a try; theoretically, they have played with core/wrap wire ratio to give a more flexible string, which may work better for you.

Kostas

 

[adorshki]

Thanx guys;
Vinci manufactured the strings for themselves and Guild for a long time until the Fender takeover then the Guild strings were takenover by someone else and they just weren't as good after that.

Jimbow I'm very curious where you got the information about Vinci being the pre-Fender supplier. All the info I've seen points to D'addario until the move to Corona and my personal experience with gauge availability (I'm a nut for the .025 G that was standard in the Guild L350 lights, that was changed to .024 within a couple of years after the move to Corona)and construction bears this out, but on the other hand I have no experience/knowledge of Vincis other than what I've seen here.
NEVER MIND I JUST SAW IT ON THE "WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE GUILD BRANDED STRINGS"
thread. You're right, the gauge set matches the original L350 exactly, but I have greater confidence in JTE's sharing of his personal experience.

 

[Paddlefoot]

DRs have been pretty good for me. I like the RARE PB custom light set for fingerpicking and blues. And hey, Guild connection, made by Alfred Dronge's son.

 

[JimbowF212]

Thanx guys;
Vinci manufactured the strings for themselves and Guild for a long time until the Fender takeover then the Guild strings were takenover by someone else and they just weren't as good after that.

Jimbow I'm very curious where you got the information about Vinci being the pre-Fender supplier. All the info I've seen points to D'addario until the move to Corona and my personal experience with gauge availability (I'm a nut for the .025 G that was standard in the Guild L350 lights, that was changed to .024 within a couple of years after the move to Corona)and construction bears this out, but on the other hand I have no experience/knowledge of Vincis other than what I've seen here.
NEVER MIND I JUST SAW IT ON THE "WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE GUILD BRANDED STRINGS"
thread. You're right, the gauge set matches the original L350 exactly, but I have greater confidence in JTE's sharing of his personal experience.

I was told this by the folks @ First Quality Music Supply but, people will say anything. The string gauges of the Vincis match the string gauges of the old pre-Fender Guilds but, that could be as far as it goes. All I know is that the Vincis last a long time and hold up well they just don't cost as much. Elderlys handles them and at very reasonable prices. I can get them @ below $4.00 a set. They are US made and use sweedish steel for the plain steel and cores. It is also my understanding that the man who started the Vinci Co. invented the string winding machine.

 

[southernGuild]

8) COOL STUFF JIM! I think i might give them a try next time around. Cheers! SG :wink:

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I used to use Vinci med PB strings back in the late 80's and early 90's.
I had a good friend that was starting a music shop and he was giving me a killer price on the strings.
The medium gauge set was slightly larger than D'Addario medium strings and I liked the added bass response that I got from them.

 

[JimbowF212]

I used to use Vinci med PB strings back in the late 80's and early 90's.
I had a good friend that was starting a music shop and he was giving me a killer price on the strings.
The medium gauge set was slightly larger than D'Addario medium strings and I liked the added bass response that I got from them.

That is what I used on my D-35V and dad used the same on his D-28 they gave the D-28 a little more bass response but with the 3 peice back and thinner braces on my 35 they seemed to balance it out and made the response more even. They did add some punch to it but without the harsh overtones of the 80/20 bronze strings. Any way I do like the tone they give the 35 and the price is GREAT!!!! They really shine when you are jamming with a bunch of Banjo players!!!! :mrgreen:

 

[adorshki]

8) COOL STUFF JIM! I think i might give them a try next time around. Cheers! SG :wink:

Second that, I particularly like that they come with the .025 G. Won't have to spring for that extra single. And like he says, who knows, maybe they WERE the OEM for Guild. Although I did mention a preference for JTE's opinion, the only guy whose info I'd actually "take to the bank" about that would be Hans. Or maybe one of the old Westerly workers.

 

[JimbowF212]

Plans Have Changed!!! I have decided to go another route with the fingerpicking rig. Since my D-35V has a thinner neck then Dad's old D-28 I have adjusted my thoughts. I will put my D-35V into the fingerpicking guitar slot and will use the D-28 for the Bluegrass Flatpicking guitar. The two guitars are fantastic but, The thinner neck on the D-35V makes it better suited to the fingerpicking roll I think but, as I said they will both do double duty. My old Maderia will most likely be my church guitar for the winter months since it has a finish that is unaffected by the cold. The two Martins will most likely stay home during the cold weather as Nitro finishes don't react too well to the cold. I look forward to any thoughts you All may have!!!