Strings

[West R Lee]

Ok guys, some of you know I'm a big believer in JP 80/20 lights on my rosewoods, so for the sake of reaching out and trying something new, I've got a question.

I'm stuck in the house for another month and searching for things to do that don't require a bunch of time on my feet. AHHH......change guitar strings :idea: :idea: :idea:

Now as I've mentioned, I love the JP's on my rosewoods and really like Plectrums on the D30, but I'd like to experiment. What strings really knock your socks off? Are there any out there that you guys swear make a discernable difference to you? I won't use mediums, so let's keep it to lights. I've been through tons of Martin Marquis and D'Addario, they're ok, in fact I like D' Addario on my JF30-12 and I've tried a bunch of Elixers. Has anyone tried GHS strings? Are there any really awesome stings out there I haven't tried?

West

 

[killdeer43]

I'm happy enough with D'Addarios that I don't spend much time experimenting with other strings.
Part of the reason is that my plate stays pretty full most of the time with a ton of other things to do, so I just remember to take time to restring as needed.
As far as experimenting, I'll let you do all the work, and I'll thank you ahead of time. :wink:

Heal thyself!

Joe

 

[West R Lee]

I'm happy enough with D'Addarios that I don't spend much time experimenting with other strings.
Part of the reason is that my plate stays pretty full most of the time with a ton of other things to do, so I just remember to take time to restring as needed.
As far as experimenting, I'll let you do all the work, and I'll thank you ahead of time. :wink:

Heal thyself!

Joe

Bless you my son!

West

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

West,
if you want to try something completely different than your JP 80/20's get a set of DR Rare strings in, yes medium gauge!
The reason I say to try them in medium, is because DR Rare medium gauge strings are in reality light gauge strings that are marketed as mediums.

I had a salesman suggest these strings to me once, so I tried them. I was very impressed with how easily they fretted until I read the cover and saw that they were really light gauge.
I still liked the sound and playability that they offered but I need real medium gauge strings to keep up with the banjos and mandolins, at my jams.

My fall back strings are D'Addario's in PB mediums.
The only guitar at my house that likes coated strings like Elixors, is my wife's Taylor.
It sounds great with them.
My D-55 sounds OK but the D'Addairo's sound better to me.

 

[West R Lee]

West,
if you want to try something completely different than your JP 80/20's get a set of DR Rare strings in, yes medium gauge!
The reason I say to try them in medium, is because DR Rare medium gauge strings are in reality light gauge strings that are marketed as mediums.

I had a salesman suggest these strings to me once, so I tried them. I was very impressed with how easily they fretted until I read the cover and saw that they were really light gauge.
I still liked the sound and playability that they offered but I need real medium gauge strings to keep up with the banjos and mandolins, at my jams.

My fall back strings are D'Addario's in PB mediums.
The only guitar at my house that likes coated strings like Elixors, is my wife's Taylor.
It sounds great with them.
My D-55 sounds OK but the D'Addairo's sound better to me.

I may try them TMG. I was preparing to order some and usually order 10-12 sets at a time, I may just place an order for a set....thank you sir.

West

 

[Ian]

plus one for the Dr rares, but I like the lights, the code is RPML11. I'm a long time user of D'Addario EJ26's, which have been my string of choice, but I'm really enjoying my recent fling with the DR's. They seem to add an extra warmth that I dont get with the D'addarios, cant wait to try a set on my D55 (they are ordered but havent arrived yet....).If you get to try a set on a rosewood dread before I do, let me know what you think !!!!

Cheers, Ian

 

[chazmo]

West have you tried the Phosphor-Bronze version os JP strings?

 

[West R Lee]

West have you tried the Phosphor-Bronze version os JP strings?

Yes sir, several times. I do like them, but the 80/20's are easier for me to pick and seem to like my fingers better. OK, I'll order a set of DR's.

West

 

[bluesypicky]

Hmmmm..... two hits on Dr Rare, and I never even heard of that name brand.
One set of RPML11 ordered for testing!
Thanks for the tip.

 

[chazmo]

West have you tried the Phosphor-Bronze version os JP strings?

Yes sir, several times. I do like them, but the 80/20's are easier for me to pick and seem to like my fingers better.

West

Cool, cool... Well, I don't know if these are still around, but you might want to try the thickly-coated Elixir (*not* the nanoweb); I can't remember what they were called). These were in 80/20 form, and they were very easy on the fingers last I played them. Some folks don't like the thick coating, but I found them very comfortable to play.

 

[West R Lee]

West have you tried the Phosphor-Bronze version os JP strings?

Yes sir, several times. I do like them, but the 80/20's are easier for me to pick and seem to like my fingers better.

West

Cool, cool... Well, I don't know if these are still around, but you might want to try the thickly-coated Elixir (*not* the nanoweb); I can't remember what they were called). These were in 80/20 form, and they were very easy on the fingers last I played them. Some folks don't like the thick coating, but I found them very comfortable to play.

Sorry Chazzy, I can't do coated strings. They last forever, but I can't get into the sound.

West

 

[Scratch]

I switched to DR Rare lights about a year ago when Musician's Friend accidentally sent me a set of those vs. the Plectrum's that I had actually ordered. Wasn't impressed with the Plectrums and the DR Rare's were less than 1/3 the price. I now buy them by the dozen...

 

[dreadnut]

Just out of curiosity, West, whaddya got against mediums? I guess my fingers are probably really used to them because that's all I play, but the volume and tone are so much better than with lights IMHO. Of course, they also make custom medium/light sets for bluegrass, etc.

Have you looked at stringsbymail.com yet? Pretty much all the brands in one place. Problem is with that, there are too many decisions :roll:

 

[West R Lee]

I order from Just Strings Marc, but I'll check 'em out. I'd prefer to order from Don as I used to, but I wrote Don about 3 weeks ago and haven't heard back. I know he gets busy. But Don hadn't carried JP's the last couple times that I asked him, so I turned to Just Strings.

On the mediums, it's a personal rule. I won't put 'em on one of my guitars. I don't need the volume, love the way lights feel, and prefer to not put the added stress on my guitar necks since I don't have to.

Just checked Stringsbymail........JP200L's are 6.49 there Marc, as opposed to $6.10 @ Just Stings Marc. That's $.40 by 12 or $4.80 difference.

West

 

[Ridgemont]

Has anyone tried GHS strings?

Yes. I really like GHS Bright Bronze. They are heavy lights .12-.54 and sound great my D25. I haven't tried a rosewood dread since I don't have one. I also tried them on a smaller OM (my old GAD30) but they seemed to max out the guitar and everything sounded muddy. On the D25, they were very bright and crisp at first but then mellowed to a rounder, fuller sound.

 

[West R Lee]

Thanks Ridge, I'll put a set of those on my list.

West

 

[Dadaist]

West,
After using Martin strings since the first Nixon Administration, I tried a set of DR Sunbeams on my D50 and after two months of use I've got them now on my D55.

David

 

[West R Lee]

West,
After using Martin strings since the first Nixon Administration, I tried a set of DR Sunbeams on my D50 and after two months of use I've got them now on my D55.

David

What the difference between DR "Rare" and "Sunbeams"....do ya know Dad?

West

 

[markus]

Have you ever put JP 610LM Light/Medium SILKS on your dreads? I like the especially on my DV52.
Markus

 

[dreadnut]

I should probably try GHS as they are made not far from where I live...