What brand of strings do you use?

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

Moderator: Dave Mudgett

User avatar
Ken Byng
Posts: 4329
Joined: 19 Feb 2001 1:01 am
Location: Southampton, England
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Ken Byng »

Keeping it brief - Cobra Coil. Excellent strings for tone and longevity at a good price.
Last edited by Ken Byng on 17 Dec 2013 12:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E,
User avatar
chris ivey
Posts: 12703
Joined: 8 Nov 1998 1:01 am
Location: california (deceased)
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by chris ivey »

common sense
User avatar
Paddy Long
Posts: 5558
Joined: 19 Aug 2003 12:01 am
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
State/Province: -
Country: New Zealand

Post by Paddy Long »

Jagwires
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Tone-X, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.
Brett Day
Posts: 5451
Joined: 17 Jun 2000 12:01 am
Location: Pickens, SC
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Brett Day »

On my first two steels, I used the S.I.T strings, and on my Jackson Steel, I'm not sure if they're Jackson Strings, but they are great strings and when I need to change strings, I'll switch to my new set of George L's strings
User avatar
Jerry Berger
Posts: 1196
Joined: 22 May 2013 10:59 am
Location: Nampa, Idaho USA
State/Province: Idaho
Country: United States

What Kind Of Stings

Post by Jerry Berger »

Soooooo Sid...... what are you trying to say here? :whoa: :whoa: . Just kidding, I also use your Live Steel Strings and love them!
Zum Steel (Encore) 3X5, Telonics TCA 500C amp, Moyo volume pedal, Sarno Black Box, Boss DD-7 pedal, Clinesmith Polymer tone bar, Steelers Choice Seat.
Glenn Uhler
Posts: 839
Joined: 31 Jan 2011 2:33 pm
Location: Trenton, New Jersey, USA
State/Province: New Jersey
Country: United States

Bandwidth

Post by Glenn Uhler »

Next thing you know, b0b will be complaining about using too much bandwidth with this thread!
1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H
User avatar
Jack Stoner
Posts: 22147
Joined: 3 Dec 1999 1:01 am
Location: Kansas City, MO
State/Province: Kansas
Country: United States

Post by Jack Stoner »

George L's. Been using them since they changed from Bill Lawrence to George L's.

I've tried almost all other brands, but I like the George L's the best. I just replenished my stock with a dozen sets each of the E9th and C6th "Nashville" strings.
User avatar
Richard Sinkler
Posts: 17878
Joined: 15 Aug 1998 12:01 am
Location: Missoula
State/Province: Montana
Country: United States

Post by Richard Sinkler »

I'm treating my girl to a full set of E9 and C6 Live Steel strings tonight. I should have done it 3 weeks or so ago. Saturday night, when I was doodling around before a gig, I could hear my 5th string starting to sound real "tinny" and just didn't sound right when played with the 3rd string. I knew that it was going to break. Halfway through the first set, KABOOM!!! Live Steel Strings will break, but you have to be careless (I really wanted to say "stupid") enough to let them go longer than they should. My C6 strings are black from my arm resting on them and by my hand when I am playing that neck. They still sound good enough for the little bit that I play C6 these days. But it will have new ones for this weeks gigs.
Carter D10 8p/7k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup, Regal RD40 Dobro (D tuning), Recording King Professional Dobro (G tuning), NV400, NV112, Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open G slide and regular G tuning guitar) .

Playing for 55 years and still counting.
User avatar
Ray Montee (RIP)
Posts: 9506
Joined: 7 Jul 1999 12:01 am
Location: Portland, Oregon (deceased)
State/Province: Oregon
Country: United States

Multiple choices re. strings............

Post by Ray Montee (RIP) »

I used ONLY Bigsby strings on my quad=Bigsby. Always played and sounded great. Minimal breakage.

What ever Emmons shipped on my 1972 p/p have been really great strings. Always stay in tune and only the G# string breaks..........occasionally.

For replacements I've found Sierra Company's strings to be really great strings for all the playing I do.

For my Ric Bakelites, I use nothing but GIBSON, Spanish guitar strings. They stay in tune; no breakage whatsoever; fabulous sustain........ I wouldn't change for anything.
User avatar
Bob Hoffnar
Posts: 9502
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Austin, Tx
State/Province: Texas
Country: United States

Post by Bob Hoffnar »

Frenchy's nickle for me. Although I just ordered some jagwire stainless to check out. I have never used stainless before.
Bob
Ron Randall
Posts: 2179
Joined: 13 Jan 2002 1:01 am
Location: Dallas, Texas, USA
State/Province: Texas
Country: United States

Post by Ron Randall »

GHS Rollerwound strings. 6 string and Steel guitars.
User avatar
Roger Rettig
Posts: 11177
Joined: 4 Aug 2000 12:01 am
Location: Naples, FL
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Roger Rettig »

Jagwire.
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
----------------------------------
User avatar
CrowBear Schmitt
Posts: 11624
Joined: 8 Apr 2000 12:01 am
Location: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by CrowBear Schmitt »

Jagwire Russ Hicks E9 - Jagwire C6 John Hughey
Cobra Coils are excellent strings imo
SITs & GHSs are good too
haven't tried Sid's Live Steel strings yet
User avatar
Tony Prior
Posts: 14718
Joined: 17 Oct 2001 12:01 am
Location: Charlotte NC
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Tony Prior »

I use metal strings, they come in a small square plastic or paper envelope.

And Sid..nice post !
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years

CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
User avatar
Carl Kilmer
Posts: 2691
Joined: 7 Aug 2008 1:23 pm
Location: East Central, Illinois
State/Province: Illinois
Country: United States

Post by Carl Kilmer »

GHS and S.I.T's for me. They last long and stay in tune.
The price is low enough for an old man like me to afford.
aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal
User avatar
Mule Ferguson
Posts: 155
Joined: 27 Dec 2010 3:00 pm
Location: N Wilkesboro NC,
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Mule Ferguson »

Ask and tho shall receive. :mrgreen:
Emmons La Grande D10, Zum Encore, Multicord,Marlen S10 1972, Nashville 112, Evans HVP #2, Peavey Profex ll, Martin, Merle Travis D28M Bigsby Neck.
D28 Henderson, Dobro and Tut Bro. Fender Tele, Stelling Stagehorn Banjo
User avatar
Rick Myrland
Posts: 389
Joined: 5 Apr 2008 6:22 pm
Location: New Orleans
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Rick Myrland »

My SD Mullen had stock pickups, Live Steel sounded best. But with my D-10 Mullen with George L's they sounded terrible, so Cobra Coil is my choice. Type of pickup can make a big difference in string selection.
Mullen G2; Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb; Goodrich L-120
Bob Mainwaring
Posts: 1096
Joined: 6 Nov 1999 1:01 am
Location: Qualicum Beach Vancouver Island B.C. Canada
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Bob Mainwaring »

Jag-Wire.................the best there are. :)

All Z.B.est.

Bob.
Billy Murdoch
Posts: 2168
Joined: 14 Feb 2004 1:01 am
Location: Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Billy Murdoch »

Cobra Coils as My first choice and GHS Boomers as a very close second.
Billy
User avatar
Daniel Policarpo
Posts: 1954
Joined: 5 May 2010 9:01 pm
Location: Kansas City
State/Province: Kansas
Country: United States

Post by Daniel Policarpo »

I alternate between GHS semi-flat wound nickel and their Super Steel strings.
User avatar
Wayne Neal
Posts: 64
Joined: 27 Nov 2013 9:44 am
Location: Ohio, USA
State/Province: Ohio
Country: United States

Post by Wayne Neal »

GHS semi-flat wound nickel."pink package" They last a good while and sound good plus they are not that expensive..works for me.
User avatar
Dave Grafe
Posts: 5374
Joined: 29 Oct 2004 12:01 am
Location: Hudson River Valley NY
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Dave Grafe »

I don't have a large data base of testimonials to what strings OTHER people use, thus cannot compete in the bandwidth sweepstakes, but as the OP's question was what strings do we each use personally this post will be short.

I buy D'Addario singles from local music stores, no sets, no mail order. If the locals don't have the D'Addarios that I need I will buy a few Ernie Balls to get me through the drought.

I'm sure Sid's strings are just over-the-top awesome, but until they can be found in every town I travel through they will not find their way to my guitars. This is not a slam on Sid or anyone else, I'm just happy with what I already have, any further improvements in tone and sustain will have to come from my hands...
User avatar
Bob Russell
Posts: 521
Joined: 1 Jun 2011 10:14 pm
Location: Virginia, USA
State/Province: Virginia
Country: United States

Post by Bob Russell »

Ernie Balls because they're easy to find, they have the wound 6th I like and they sound good on my old Fender..
Lots of stringy things, many of them slidey.
User avatar
Mike Perlowin RIP
Posts: 15171
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Los Angeles CA
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Mike Perlowin RIP »

I can’t really hear much difference between stainless steel strings of different brands, but there’s definitely a difference between stainless steel and nickel.

Just as no 2 people are exactly alike, (twins notwithstanding,) neither are 2 trees. Therefore, no two wood guitars are exactly alike. There will always be slight differences, even in 2 supposedly identical guitars made by the same people.

But the same cannot be said for the Millennium. The carbon fiber bodies all have the same resonance and tonal characteristics. I have 2 of them, with the same pickup in each. Cosmetics aside, they are absolutely identical.

I put Live Strings on both. Nickel on one, stainless steel on the other. I put them on, on the same day, so they were all fresh. I tested them side by side, with no volume pedal, going into the same amp, and compared the tone of the 2 sets if strings.
The inherent properties of the guitars are identical, so the only differences in tone came from the strings.

The differences are subtle, but noticeable. The stainless steel strings sound brighter, with more bite, and more twang. The nickel sound warmer and deeper.

They both really sounded good. I prefer the nickel.
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
Tom Gorr
Posts: 2322
Joined: 12 Sep 2000 12:01 am
Location: Three Hills, Alberta
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Tom Gorr »

Mike Perlowin wrote:I can’t really hear much difference between stainless steel strings of different brands, but there’s definitely a difference between stainless steel and nickel.
I thot the same until I tried Frenchy's "Silent Wound" strings. Its what you don't hear that's important with those, and you pretty much lose interest in other brands once you don't hear those things. He's got a website.