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Post new topic What strings for your 6 and 8 string lap/console steels?
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Author Topic:  What strings for your 6 and 8 string lap/console steels?
Joe Major

 

From:
Florida, USA
Post  Posted 20 Jun 2018 2:20 am    
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I'm a new player after playing "armpit" guitar since the 1960s. The armpit players have an almost infinite choice of strings. I know the SGF forum sells some lap strings, and there are a few other options. I'm using the excellent SIT string sets now. I'm looking to try low E13 8 string and high C6 8 string. Looks like assembling the right gauged sets from single strings is the way to go. Am I on the right track, and what's the most economical way to do that? I appreciate any suggestions you have.
Thanks,
Joe
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Bo Parker

 

From:
Alabama, USA
Post  Posted 20 Jun 2018 4:32 am    
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I use stringjoy.

https://www.stringjoy.com/

You can order custom 8-string sets from them. I get high-G C6 and McAuliffe E13 sets from them.

-Bo Parker
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Joe Major

 

From:
Florida, USA
Post  Posted 20 Jun 2018 6:59 am    
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Thanks a lot, Bo. Appears to be just what I'm looking for. Nickel wound and choose each string gauge. Can't ask for more than that.
Thanks,
Joe
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Steve Wilson


From:
Morgan Hill, California, USA
Post  Posted 20 Jun 2018 9:39 am    
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I like to support the forum whenever I can. Look under the strings tab at the top of the page. Likely you can find what you are looking for and support the forum at the same time.
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Andy DePaule


From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
Post  Posted 20 Jun 2018 4:26 pm     Me too, Buy Forum
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Me too, I also try to get as much as possible from the forum to support this site where I go most often. Need to place another order soon.
Wish Bob would get the National finger picks again. Very Happy Hint, hint.....

I live overseas, but return to the states at least twice a year. I usually place an order before I return so my stuff is waiting for me when I get to my destination in Oregon.
_________________
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2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.
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Joe Major

 

From:
Florida, USA
Post  Posted 21 Jun 2018 2:43 am    
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Thanks for the replies. Actually, I don't see all I want under the Strings tab. That's why I asked to begin with.
Joe
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Mark Helm


From:
Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 21 Jun 2018 9:01 am     I Love
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Love the Scotty's semi-flat strings. They're not as noisy as "regular" strings, but still have a bit of bite/brightness.

Here's the C6 set I use:

http://www.juststrings.com/sit-sc-c6th-8.html?productid=sit-sc-c6th-8&channelid=FROOG&utm_source=CSEs&utm_medium=GoogleShopping&utm_campaign=JuststringsCSE&gclid=CjwKCAjwma3ZBRBwEiwA-CsblJpgGRsCEo51gR3Sto-OBIAx86gM-kO7r-KsALmp6xObgTFRIPxb9hoCWx4QAvD_BwE
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Joe Major

 

From:
Florida, USA
Post  Posted 21 Jun 2018 11:45 am    
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Thanks Mark,
I really like the Scotty's too. Excellent strings, and the packaging is the best. Boxed, sealed plastic, and then individual sealed plastic bags for each string. I will never buy John Pearse again because of the packaging. Things rust here, and it's hell to open a new pack of strings and find half of them useless. With the Scotty's, for high G C6 I have to add a lighter gauge 1st string and lose one of the midJoele strings. I wonder if SIT sells individual strings?
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Phillip Vaught


From:
Dallas,Texas, USA
Post  Posted 21 Jun 2018 3:47 pm     Strings
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I use J.D'Addario strings from the maker of my steel, Georgeboards.
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Joe Major

 

From:
Florida, USA
Post  Posted 22 Jun 2018 2:57 am    
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That's a good idea, Phillip. Here's links for D'Addario single strings. An E13 set W/ 0.064" E on the bottom (like I'm looking for) is about $13 + very reasonable shipping.
https://www.stringsandbeyond.com/dniwoelsist.html
https://www.stringsandbeyond.com/dplstsist.html
Gauges go from 0.007 to 0.080"
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Nic Neufeld


From:
Kansas City, Missouri
Post  Posted 22 Jun 2018 3:59 am    
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I generally try to use existing sets (I like SIT sets, definitely) and springboard off them with just a few extra single strings as its a bit cheaper than buying all custom gauges, usually. Ie, your high C6, if you like the SIT ones you've used, most places sell plain steel single strings for less than a buck, just add in the high G and donate the low string to charity Smile. For E13, I would write out the gauges you want, approximately, and then just cross reference existing string sets til you find one that fits, or very nearly fits...thus minimizing how much a la carte string buying you have to do.
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Joe Major

 

From:
Florida, USA
Post  Posted 22 Jun 2018 4:40 am    
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Thanks Nic. For C6 I'm doing the SIT + 1 idea like you recommend. I buy the single string from an online big box for about $2/dozen. Looks like SIT doesn't make a string between about 0.056 and 0.068 or 0.070," or I'd mix & match low E13 too. I don't see where they sell singles either. Don't mean to beat this dog to death, but I'm sure there's more ideas out there.
Thanks All,
Joe
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Nic Neufeld


From:
Kansas City, Missouri
Post  Posted 22 Jun 2018 6:19 am    
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Not sure if they have the half-round ones, but you can get SIT roundwounds in those sizes here:
http://www.juststrings.com/powerwoundsitguitarsinglestrings.html
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Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me
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Jim Peter

 

From:
Mendon,Mich USA
Post  Posted 22 Jun 2018 7:33 am    
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You can always try Elderly Instruments.

https://www.elderly.com/catalogsearch/result/?cat=0&q=lap+steel+guitar+8-strings
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