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Author Topic:  Need to change string brand
Daniel Morris


From:
Westlake, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 4 Jan 2022 6:54 am    
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I've been using Frenchy's Steel Mill strings for many years, and have had the best of luck with them.
Sadly, Frenchy has now retired (congratulations to him), so I need to find something as good as his strings.
I'm familiar with S.I.T., Curt Mangan, GHS, Living Strings, and generally have had some good results.
It's just that I never broke even one Steel Mill string, while I can't say the same for other brands I've tried.
I know it's a tired question, but I'd like to hear some comments. (I play only U12 steels; I was using .0115 for my 3d string.)
_________________
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amps w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Origin, Eventide, Pigtronix.
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Ken Metcalf


From:
San Antonio Texas USA
Post  Posted 4 Jan 2022 7:03 am    
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I use SIT strings.
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MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes
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Bill Ferguson


From:
Milton, FL USA
Post  Posted 4 Jan 2022 7:11 am    
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If I have all your gauges for the U12, I would like for you to try George L's Stainless.

Drop me an email with your gauges, as I custom make sets, and let's see if you like them. If you do, you can pay me, if not, then they are free (excluding shipping).

Sadly, the minimum First Class Shipping now is about $5.

Regards,
Bill


_________________
AUTHORIZED George L's, Goodrich, Telonics and Peavey Dealer: I have 2 steels and several amps. My current rig of choice is 1993 Emmons LeGrande w/ 108 pups (Jack Strayhorn built for me), Goodrich OMNI Volume Pedal, George L's cables, Goodrich Baby Bloomer and Peavey Nashville 112. Can't get much sweeter.
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Daniel Morris


From:
Westlake, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 4 Jan 2022 1:00 pm    
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Very kind of you to offer, Bill. I don't believe I've tried George L strings yet.
While I change strings regularly and don't wait until one breaks, I simply don't recall one Steel Mill string snapping. I was also able to get .0115 gauge strings from Frenchy swapped into U12 sets.

Still open to other solid recommendations.
_________________
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amps w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Origin, Eventide, Pigtronix.
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Bobby Burns

 

From:
Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 4 Jan 2022 1:13 pm     Strings
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Why don’t you ask Frenchy who he gets his strings from? I’m sure he doesn’t make them in house. Since he’s going out of business, he should have no problem letting you know exactly what they are.
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Daniel Morris


From:
Westlake, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 4 Jan 2022 1:26 pm    
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I've tried to contact him, Bobby, but so far no success.
_________________
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amps w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Origin, Eventide, Pigtronix.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ken Metcalf


From:
San Antonio Texas USA
Post  Posted 5 Jan 2022 6:50 am    
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Daniel Morris wrote:
Very kind of you to offer, Bill. I don't believe I've tried George L strings yet.
While I change strings regularly and don't wait until one breaks, I simply don't recall one Steel Mill string snapping. I was also able to get .0115 gauge strings from Frenchy swapped into U12 sets.

Still open to other solid recommendations.


I buy my 3rd strings in bulk and they are about $3 per dozen. I use .011.
Here are .0115s.
https://www.juststrings.com/jsb-0115p.html
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes
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Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 5 Jan 2022 7:08 am    
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I used George L's (Nashville Gauges) for 38 years and only broke a string one time and that was because of a burr on the changer finger.
I've moved on to SIT nickel strings but only because I like the tone better with the GFI III pickup and Quilter Travis Toy 12 amp combo than the George L's.
Ironically the GFI pickups are custom made by George L's.
_________________
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit


Last edited by Jack Stoner on 5 Jan 2022 11:44 am; edited 1 time in total
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Bill C. Buntin

 

Post  Posted 5 Jan 2022 7:11 am    
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Daniel

I have been using George L stainless almost exclusively now for over 20 years.

Before that I was using D'addario strings.

George L's and I imagine Bill Ferguson either one will provide you with a custom set for the same price as a standard set. I have traded with Bill a few times as well. Good guy, great products.

For example, I use a .012p instead of .011p,.018p instead of .017p then a .022p in place of a .020p, and a .038w instead of .036w.

I switched to Geo L because of convenience and they were really great at selling me multiple sets for both E9 and C6 at what I thought was more than fair price. And they were very consistent and shipped the orders very quickly.

In those days, working full time, I was changing strings roughly every 3 weeks or so.

Nowadays I probably don't change but 3 times a year.

But I'm still partial to Geo L stainless.

Just my opinion fwiw.

Bill
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Pat Moore


From:
Virginia USA
Post  Posted 5 Jan 2022 9:44 am     Strings
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Live Steel Strings are the ones!!! Never broke one, best tone & last longer!

https://www.lsstrings.com/
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Marco Schouten


From:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Post  Posted 5 Jan 2022 11:05 am    
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Frenchy's strings were made by SIT.

You may try Jagwire strings, they are great.
_________________
----------------------------------
JCH SD-10 with BL XR-16 pickup, Sho-Bud Volume Pedal, Evidence Audio Lyric HG cables, Quilter Steelaire combo
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John Larson


From:
Pennsyltucky, USA
Post  Posted 5 Jan 2022 11:59 am    
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I'll second Jagwire. I've never broken one. No idea if that's credit to the strings or my changer. I like to bend string 1 behind the bar quite a bit as well.
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Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; praise is meet for the upright. Give praise to the Lord with the harp, chant unto Him with the ten-stringed psaltery. Sing unto Him a new song, chant well unto Him with jubilation. For the word of the Lord is true, and all His works are in faithfulness. The Lord loveth mercy and judgement; the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.
- Psalm 33:1-5
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b0b


From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
Post  Posted 5 Jan 2022 3:32 pm    
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Marco Schouten wrote:
Frenchy's strings were made by SIT.

You may try Jagwire strings, they are great.

We carry S.I.T. strings in the Steel Guitar Forum Store:

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com/brands/S.I.T..html?limit=20
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Daniel Morris


From:
Westlake, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 5 Jan 2022 6:17 pm    
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Thanks, gents.
I did not know Frenchy's strings were made by S.I.T.
I'm glad to see S.I.T. has .0115 strings available.
I'm certainly concerned with having a tone I like; I just always hated when a string would break
I may simply need to try different sets, but I appreciate all the replies.
_________________
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amps w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Origin, Eventide, Pigtronix.
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Barry Yasika


From:
Bethlehem, Pa.
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2022 3:00 am     broken strings
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I use to break a lot of strings. I was talking to Hebie Wallace about that and he suggested Jagwire Strings. I tried them and it's rare to break a string. Years go by and that doesn't happen. Priced a bit higher but last a long time.
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Emmons
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David Zornes

 

From:
Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2022 6:49 pm     Strings
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SIT’s has worked well for me. I’m changing strings now and took a little break.
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Christopher Woitach


From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
Post  Posted 19 Jan 2022 4:17 pm    
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I love the D’Addario NYXL strings - last forever and settle in quickly
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Christopher Woitach
cw@affmusic.com
www.affmusic.com
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