Strings

[frettedstrings]

I like GHS Bright Bronze as well. I use lights on my 6 string and I usually used Extra Lights on the 12 String. I really like GHS Silk Wound Strings, such as Silk & Steel. I wonder if GHS makes SILK & Bronze?

 

[kitniyatran]

I like GHS Bright Bronze as well. I use lights on my 6 string and I usually used Extra Lights on the 12 String. I really like GHS Silk Wound Strings, such as Silk & Steel. I wonder if GHS makes SILK & Bronze?

They do.

 

[JerryR]

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

Agree Joe - I've just changed a set of D'Addario lights which must have had at least 60 hours playing time - and were just beginning to sound a bit too dead :roll: Hate Elixir's - they break on me after about 20 hours Bad news is I've noticed the D35 will need refretting soon - notches wearing in the frets

 

[Ian]

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

Agree Joe - I've just changed a set of D'Addario lights which must have had at least 60 hours playing time - and were just beginning to sound a bit too dead :roll: Hate Elixir's - they break on me after about 20 hours Bad news is I've noticed the D35 will need refretting soon - notches wearing in the frets

Hi Jerry,

You obviously need to get that D55 so you can share about the play time and save those frets on the D35. :lol: BTW have you ever tried Rotosounds, I think they are made in the UK, both of my guitar buddies swear by them ?

Cheers, Ian

 

[JerryR]

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

Agree Joe - I've just changed a set of D'Addario lights which must have had at least 60 hours playing time - and were just beginning to sound a bit too dead :roll: Hate Elixir's - they break on me after about 20 hours Bad news is I've noticed the D35 will need refretting soon - notches wearing in the frets

Hi Jerry,

You obviously need to get that D55 so you can share about the play time and save those frets on the D35. :lol: BTW have you ever tried Rotosounds, I think they are made in the UK, both of my guitar buddies swear by them ?

Cheers, Ian

Roger the D55 - No I haven't tried Rotosounds - might buy a set if I see them.

 

[West R Lee]

Well, strings are here (that was fast), I'll report back.

West

 

[adorshki]

Agree Joe - I've just changed a set of D'Addario lights which must have had at least 60 hours playing time - and were just beginning to sound a bit too dead :roll:

DUDE!! Even I draw the line at around 50! :lol: 'Course I do give 'em a pretty good pounding all up and down the board....YEP D'Addario and Guild....go together like...like D'Addario and Guild! :lol:

Bad news is I've noticed the D35 will need refretting soon - notches wearing in the frets

When they're impossible down in the cowboy chords it's time to start playing everything with barres up around the 5th fret. That should get you a couple more years and a lot of good excercise to boot! :lol:

 

[chazzan]

the interesting thing I have found is that changing gauge of strings changes the sound. heavier strings can be louder when strummed hard, but lighter strings can be brighter with more overtones!

it all depends on the guitar and playing style-

I went from 12-54 to 11's on the f-30 because the lighter strings had a warmer sound and were better for fingerpicking. When I had 13- 56 on that guitar and tuned to E flat for folk/blues it sounded great! but a much different sound from the same guitar. 12's were ok good for loud strumming but not much else IMO.

 

[JerryR]

When they're impossible down in the cowboy chords it's time to start playing everything with barres up around the 5th fret. That should get you a couple more years and a lot of good excercise to boot! :lol:

Good thought - but despite mainly using the cowboy chords I have a cunning device called a capo - so I have problems up above the 5th fret anyway :roll:

 

[West R Lee]

When they're impossible down in the cowboy chords it's time to start playing everything with barres up around the 5th fret. That should get you a couple more years and a lot of good excercise to boot! :lol:

Good thought - but despite mainly using the cowboy chords I have a cunning device called a capo - so I have problems up above the 5th fret anyway :roll:

:lol: Hear here.....I use the "cowboy chords" with a capo all the time.

West

 

[JerryR]

When they're impossible down in the cowboy chords it's time to start playing everything with barres up around the 5th fret. That should get you a couple more years and a lot of good excercise to boot! :lol:

Good thought - but despite mainly using the cowboy chords I have a cunning device called a capo - so I have problems up above the 5th fret anyway :roll:

:lol: Hear here.....I use the "cowboy chords" with a capo all the time.

West

Well the best songs only have 3 chords - and some only have two :wink: :mrgreen:

 

[adorshki]

Good thought - but despite mainly using the cowboy chords I have a cunning device called a capo - so I have problems up above the 5th fret anyway :roll:

:lol: Hear here.....I use the "cowboy chords" with a capo all the time.
West

Never could get used to them things. Barre chords, 3rd, 5th, 7th frets, no prob, know where I am. Capo? Whoopsie, where the h-ll'd the other half of my neck just go? :lol:

 

[taabru45]

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

Agree Joe - I've just changed a set of D'Addario lights which must have had at least 60 hours playing time - and were just beginning to sound a bit too dead :roll: Hate Elixir's - they break on me after about 20 hours Bad news is I've noticed the D35 will need refretting soon - notches wearing in the frets

Well Jerry you might try using heavier strings tuning it down a tone and a half, and using the capo up the neck so you can wear out the next 3 frets, and repeat as necessary..... :lol: :lol: Steffan

 

[Bill Ashton]

I thought I must have put up something on this thread, but perhaps not...

At present I have JP PB Bluegrass-gauged strings on my D55...not bad at all, but I think the winner (for me) are GHS Bright Bronze. Scott M gave me a set during LMG and I am now thinking it was a mistake to change them out. Really balance out the sound of the big dreadnaught.

As they don't make a Bluegrass-gauged set, I ordered up a set of Lights and mediums off MF today, to make up my own.

Wes, if you light the lighter strings, you might try the GHS Doyle Dykes, they are just slightly lighter than lights...what I call lights (.012-.053/54)...a little too slinky for me, but they sound real nice...

 

[West R Lee]

OK Markus, per your suggestion, I'm getting ready to put these 610LM's on my favorite guitar. I'll be back!

West

Ok...Got 'em on the DV72 ....love 'em. They've got a bit firmer feel than the 80/20's to me, but not uncomfortable at all.....but man, very nice tone. I'll bet they'll sound even better in a few days. Same string diameter across the spectrum as the JP200L's and are almost as pliable. Thank you sir.....great suggestion......I will buy more. I wish I had bought another set of them.........but hey, I may be enlightened by yet another string here....we'll see. Think I'll string the D55 .

 

[taabru45]

Dang it West....I just put a set of JP lights on my D50, oh I like saying that....based partly on your liking them so much... so while I wear these out you find the best string for these rosie dreads, I'm in your corner....me and my D 50.....my D50 and me..... :lol: :lol: Steffan

 

[GardMan]

OK Markus, per your suggestion, I'm getting ready to put these 610LM's on my favorite guitar. I'll be back!
West

Ok...Got 'em on the DV72 ....love 'em. They've got a bit firmer feel than the 80/20's to me, but not uncomfortable at all.....but man, very nice tone. I'll bet they'll sound even better in a few days. Same string diameter across the spectrum as the JP200L's and are almost as pliable. Thank you sir.....great suggestion......I will buy more. I wish I had bought another set of them.........but hey, I may be enlightened by yet another string here....we'll see. Think I'll string the D55 .

I've been playing JP 610LM phosphor bronze and silk on my mahogany D-35 for the last couple years... To me, they sound a bit mellower out of the pack than regular phosphor bronze, and seem to be a little less "squeeky" when I slide.

I've puzzled over the light medium designation since I started using 'em... the string diameters are pretty much the same as a set of PB lights. Only thing I can figure is the designation is based on string tension, and the PB and Silks are higher (comparable to light-mediums?)?

I've also tried them on my D-44... but never on rosewood, ash or maple. I've got a few sets downstairs... and a couple guitars in need of new strings. Maybe I'll slap 'em on.
D

 

[West R Lee]

Dang it West....I just put a set of JP lights on my D50, oh I like saying that....based partly on your liking them so much... so while I wear these out you find the best string for these rosie dreads, I'm in your corner....me and my D 50.....my D50 and me..... :lol: :lol: Steffan

I'm still an 80/20 lights fan Steff and always will be I'm sure, just finding some other strings I like.

West

 

[Treem]

hey Westly,

I am very impressed with the DR Hi Beams on my DV72. It gave it a tone boost compare to the Martin SPs! And yes I recommend trying a set and would buy HI Beams again.

Treemster 8)

 

[hojo199]

Re: 80/20 vs. PB Strings

Dang it West....I just put a set of JP lights on my D50, oh I like saying that....based partly on your liking them so much... so while I wear these out you find the best string for these rosie dreads, I'm in your corner....me and my D 50.....my D50 and me..... :lol: :lol: Steffan

I'm still an 80/20 lights fan Steff and always will be I'm sure, just finding some other strings I like.

West

I'm with you, West. I go back to the days when the only "advertised" 80/20's were D'Angelico. They were the only strings that seemed to sound right on my Martin D-28 at the time. I have tried Phosphor bronze strings many, many times and always go back to some brand of 80/20. This DV-52 I just got was strung with some PB something or others. After I yanked 'em off and put on 80/20's the guitar just sounded truer. I am not a fan of the over hyped resonance of PB strings. To me I hear the sound of the strings rather than the tone of the instrument.