1990 JF30-12 String Trials

[Budha]

I have been trying out a variety of different strings on my new-to-me JF30-12. What a great guitar, exactly what a 12 string should be. I am addicted to the sounds coming from this guitar. I think the strings it came with sounded very good. I was never able to find out what they were.
In my first string trial I tried Elixer 80/20 nano web 10-47 (that was all I had on hand at the time). The Elixers sounded good but I still wanted to try others. Next I tried D'Addario EJ-38's phosphorus bronze 10-47. The tone seemed too muddy for me ( I was very surprised at this) . Next I tried D'Addario nickel bronze 10-47's because of some reviews I have read. The guitar lost of all of the deep bass with the nickel bronze. Next I put on some Elixer nano web phosphorus bronze 10-47. So far I like the Elixers the best of all I have tried. I am after a tone balance with a deep rumbling bass.
I will probably end up with some brand of coated strings to extend the time between string changes. I have not tried D'Addario coated strings on any guitar. I have been using non-coated D'Addario phosphorus bronze lights on my 6 string guitars for a long time and have been very happy with them.
I am going to stop with the string trails for a month or two. Too many string changes in a short period of time for me.

 

[davismanLV]

Well, once you start up again, and since you haven't tried D'Addario coated strings, one set that seems to work really well on my range of guitars is the D'Addario EXP 14's. It's the coated version of the Bluegrass gauge 80/20 bronze with Medium gauge bottom strings, and Light gauge high strings. 80/20 gives you a bit brighter sound than phosphor bronze and keeps a nice ringing top end, and the medium gauge lower strings gives you a mid-low range kick that straight Light gauge strings seem to lack. Put them on your list and see. I order all my strings through Strings And Beyond and they have regularly occurring sales on different brands and holiday sales and great customer service.

Variety is the spice of life and this is what's currently in the string drawer.

I accidentally ticked the wrong box when ordering and ended up with more GHS Bright Bronze in MEDIUM than I'll ever use. Private Message me your address and I'll send you a set if you want to try them. I'll mail them to you. If not, good luck with your string hunt!!

 

[Budha]

Good information. Thank you. I am sending you a private message.

 

[Westerly Wood]

i would go with the 80/20 bronze of d'addario .10-.47s. they mellow really well and will be less muddy than the PB version.

 

[wileypickett]

I've been a D'Addario guy for years, but I recently tried a set of Ernie Ball Earthwood 80 / 20 Bronze Alloy strings (11-52; Stock #2012) and I'm lovin' 'em! Just ordered a half dozen more sets.

 

[Budha]

Thanks for sharing the string information.

 

[ezstrummer]

I use the EXP 38 10-47 on my 12 string.

 

[Tom O]

Doyle Dykes uses GHS Phosphor Bronze 11s on his 12 strings. I asked GHS since they are working on a new string set for him as mentioned on his web site. The 13s should sound fine if you tune down 3 or 4 steps to reduce tension.

 

[General Dreedle]

I put DR Rares on my JF30 and they sound great. I wanted a good bass and they seemed to give it

 

[GAD]

I love Elixer nano-webs.

 

[lonesome picker]

One more vote for Elixer Nanowebs......

 

[Budha]

I have pb nanowebs on it now. Are you using pb or 80/20 nanowebs?

 

[lonesome picker]

Currently, I have my F412 strung with 80/20 nano's.