What strings do you recommend....

[Bill Ashton]

I think there is a certain "cache" (if thats that right term) about using a particular brand of strings "when delivered." Though not on Guilds, I have seen hang tangs extolling the fact that D'Addario strings are being used. If it didn't matter, why would they even say what kind of strings are used.

Agreed that there must be a price item in here, but maybe Guild either gets a break by using the D'Addarios or they have to pay a royalty for their use...or some kind of mutually beneficial bit like "we'll say we use 'em, but you have to give a better bulk price." Who knows...or cares, really. I just noted the change to EXP's, as they are a more expensive string when bought over the counter.

I prefer GHS and LaBella's, but that wouldn't stop be from buying a Guild...or changing them out afterwards. With a lower tension string however, they might be proffering guitars that don't quite feel so "tight."

 

[fronobulax]

I think there is a certain "cache" (if thats that right term) about using a particular brand of strings "when delivered." Though not on Guilds, I have seen hang tangs extolling the fact that D'Addario strings are being used. If it didn't matter, why would they even say what kind of strings are used.

Cachet would be my guess.

Naming the brand of strings on a new guitar is probably a win-win situation for both parties. It is advertising, an implied endorsement and stops people from asking "what strings do you use?" all the time. Of course the string brand has to have some kind of respect or the use of the string sends the wrong message. That said, I can't recall buying strings based upon what was originally there. Neither do I even recall what brand of tires were OEM on my vehicles.

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

"we'll say we use 'em, but you have to give a better bulk price."

That's what I think it is.

A half century ago, La Bella and Black Diamond were all I could get my hands on. (That applies to girls, too.) What type of La Bella do you use? I was looking at them last night online for their 4-string tenor guitar sets. La Bella makes the lightest gauged set for tenors: 9's. I'm going to stick with 11's on my 4-string F30, but I would try two sets of La Bella 9's on my Carlo Greco tenor if I convert it to 8-string. Doing so wouldn't pervert it because the neck has already been modded. I'm a mod and a rocker.

 

[adorshki]

(To and) fro,
I agree. I don't think you're being cynical. I think it's more a matter of economics, which includes saving time. They can't afford to have people play their guitars and decide which strings they prefer. I imagine any big guitar maker would, indeed, take the best deal, as long as the strings are from a reputable company.
Robin Byrd (HF)

Shoot here I go speculating wildly again. When I got my D25 in '97 I was impressed by a detail of the L350 medium strings that was VERY uncommmon: an .025 G string. It led me to believe that Guild DID use D'Addario at that time because they offered something Guild felt was important to the sound of their guitars. And I became one of those guys that decided to stick with the OEM spec strings, and was always happy to go back to D'Addario after trying an alternative.
Granted that was then and this is now. Frankly I'm surprised they went with the coated strings. But I DO suspect that given their current "Quality before quantity" ethic that they did in fact test a variety of makers who had already indidcated they could deliver at a desirable cost, and did go with what they considered best cost/performance compromise.
Hey, if your tryin' to mold yourself into a "boutique brand", you DO take the time to get the details right, if you wanna succeed.

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Addie,

I think we all agree that the compromise you mention is what they do, so that quality is important along with economics. But it would be interesting to know how much effort they put into judging which strings are among the best on Guilds.

 

[Curlington]

Guy Clark recommends

Black Diamond Strings
Black Diamond Strings
Drinkin’ 1 W. Harper
Playin’ Black Diamond Strings
Black Diamond Strings
Are like white flour and grits
You play Black Diamond Strings
‘Cause it’s all you can get

Black Diamond Strings on a Catalog Guitar
That’s pretty high cotton whoever you are
You break one you change one, that’s as good as it gets
You can play all year long on two or three sets

 

[adorshki]

Re: Guy Clark recommends

Black Diamond Strings ...
You can play all year long on two or three sets

I LOVE it !!!! :lol:

 

[adorshki]

Addie,
But it would be interesting to know how much effort they put into judging which strings are among the best on Guilds.

Probably at least as much time as it takes to decide whether or not you actually want to "be with" a girl...

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Curlington,

Pretty good, except

Are like white flour and grits

I can think of a better word than "grits."

Hey, do you know Ben, the guy they named your town after?

 

[Bill Ashton]

...I'm a mod and a rocker.

Oh...I can't help myself ...so Darryl, that makes you a "mocker?" (cite: Ringo Starr, A Hard Days Night) :roll:

As far as LaBella goes, I like their Phosphor Bronze Lights on my GAD30 and their "Golden Alloy" or whatever their "secret" Bronze strings are on both the D55 and the GAD. The Goldens seem to keep the GAD from "shouting" as it is wont to do.

...I'll have to look at the little flyer that comes with their strings for what they offer on the tenor guitar...

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

that makes you a "mocker?"

No, I'm a focker.

 

[adorshki]

that makes you a "mocker?"

No, I'm a focker.

lesseee..."Mod"..."Fogey"...and "Rocker"....
Shouldn't that be "MFocker"?

 

[Treem]

Treem,

I like the idea of heavier gauges on solidbodies. Do you step down the strings a tone or two?
No, I keep it at 440.
Do you ever use a wound third on a solidbody?
Yes, that is a must for me!

I did when I got my first solidbody. I'd played acoustics for twenty years, and then starchtops, so I couldn't get the concept of an unwound third or a set of 9's.
I also agree.

Is it true that nickels are easier on your fingertips?
It feels like it.

11s feels like 10s, to me. :mrgreen:

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Treem,

Fifteens feel like tens to me. In shoe size, that is.
-----------------------------------------------
Seriously, Guilders, as I've been chewing over Guild's practice of putting Daddio's on everything, I'm chewing tobaccy and wondering if they put the same gauge and materials on everything. For example, does everything get a set of 12 gauge 80-20 phosphor bronze? If so, I'm dizzy pointed. I think dreads and jumbos should not get the same gauge as small-body pingerfickers. Similarly, I don't think hosewood, ma hog every, and may pole should get the same materials.

On the other hand, I still think it would be a waste of time to try to determine the best (read:most profitable) string for each particular model. For example, when I was visited last night by Cindy Crawford..., oh never mind.

hf/Rockin' Doc/Fatted Cow

 

[adorshki]

I'm chewing tobaccy and wondering if they put the same gauge and materials on everything. hf/Rockin' Doc/Fatted Cow

In a word, no. I know for certain that while the majority of acoustics in the late '90's got what I mistakenly called "medium" L350's(they're technically "lights), the F65ce came with "extra light" .010-.047's, and I have heard hearsay that the mediums (M350) were installed on some Jumbos.
Recently I was surprised to see mediums offered again and that at least 2 gauges are used. A quick check of the website confirms that F50 standards come with EXP17 (.013-.056) while the F30's come with EXP 16's (.012-.053) ("lights" by the old standards)
To me, more evidence that they really do take some time to tailor the string to the instrument.

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Addie,

Thanks for the good news. I wish I could use a 'puter as well as you guys in the sillyukon.

Lisa Ford

 

[taabru45]

Treem,

I like the idea of heavier gauges on solidbodies. Do you step down the strings a tone or two?
No, I keep it at 440.
Do you ever use a wound third on a solidbody?
Yes, that is a must for me!

I did when I got my first solidbody. I'd played acoustics for twenty years, and then starchtops, so I couldn't get the concept of an unwound third or a set of 9's.
I also agree.

Is it true that nickels are easier on your fingertips?
It feels like it.

11s feels like 10s, to me. :mrgreen:

....been down so long.....looks like up to me......Steffan

 

[adorshki]

Addie,
I wish I could use a 'puter as well as you guys in the sillyukon.
Lisa Ford

So do I.

 

[Treem]

For me,

DV72 - 80/20s Martin Marquis Mediums (13-56)
JF55 - 80/20s Martin SP Marquis Mediums (13-56)
F30R - 80/20s Martin Marquis Lights (12-54)
JF55-12 Thomastiks Spectrums (11-52)

HOGS - PBs

MAPLE - happy with either PBs or 80/20s

S-100 - DRs Pure Nickle Blues 11s

8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) CHEERS! 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

btw - Im a size 10 in shoes! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Bill Ashton]

Darryl: Try as I might, I cannot find tenor guitar strings in here :? http://www.labella.com/catalog.pdf

However, the little paper that comes with my sets lists a 700T tenor set, and you are right they are .009, .013, .020W, and .028

Interesting that they are lighter, and yet about double the price of D'Addario or GHS sets...

Do you use these for your Nick Reynold's impressions?

Frono: You are also correct, I like "1 B"