Which strings for mellow tone

Parr Bryan · Post by **Parr Bryan** » 22 May 2006 3:30 am

Hello,
Which strings (Brand) would give me a mellow tone on the E9?? After playing C6 awhile I would like to take some of the twang out of E9. Thanks.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 22 May 2006 4:46 am

dead ones ?

sorry, couldn't help myself...

I suppose there is some truth/opinion to Stainless being a bit more edgy than Nickel..

but the simple answer is ALL new strings twang and are bright..

like they should be.

and probably all are very very similar in tonal characteristics..when NEW of course...

t

Aaron Harms · Post by **Aaron Harms** » 22 May 2006 5:13 am

Still a newbie, to the steel and to the forum, but it's all in the tone knob for me...Playing a Fender though, is probably different than what you have...I roll it back until just a hint of highs peak through...then turn up a bit..(but not too much, don't want them to hear too many mistakes..lol)..we are also only a 3 piece, which of course makes a difference, tonally, in a band setting.

New strings are always to bright for me...on any guitar...I like it a bit muddy, or pre deadened as one of the techs in town calls it--I play Elixirs on my regular guitar--but I'm certain they would be poor on a steel, even if they made them....

Probably didn't help you much in retrospect....good luck

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Fender 8 string, + a lever; Gibson Les Paul Signature, Gibson Ripper, Ampeg Gemini II, assorted boxes...

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 22 May 2006 7:00 am

You could use flatwounds on the wound strings

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 22 May 2006 7:25 am

As Jim said, flatwounds would be a decent choice (But don't use GHS BRite Flats - they have much more "twang" than most flatwounds).

Otherwise, use nickel strings for the wound ones. They are much mellower than stainless, even when new.

The plain strings are all the same, essentially. The idea of Elixers isn't bad though, and they do make them in many gages - no "sets" for pedal steel, but you could probably email Elixer and ask for a source for single strings. FWIW they have two coating systems, and I'd probably try the heavier coating - the lighter stuff leaves the strings still rather bright sounding.

Hope that helps.

Aaron Harms · Post by **Aaron Harms** » 22 May 2006 7:46 am

Some of my sets of Elixirs have been really nice...others, not as much...I know that if you leave them on long enough, the coating starts to...not unravel (can't find the word)..but "sliver" off...whether those tiny strings of coating are going to screw up sliding isn't something i can tell you...they're also ridiculously expensive IMO....so I don't change strings very often.

Hope this helps

Aaron

David Wren · Post by **David Wren** » 22 May 2006 10:49 am

I use nickle jagwires, and plastic finger picks (thumb & 3 fingers). Using these two together, I am very statisfied with my tone.

Add in the SGBB with varible inpedance dial, and that allows a great deal of control over the tone (nice clean bell-like ring) of my plain strings.... all and all a nice combo, IMHO.

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Dave Wren
'96 Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Twin Session 500s; Hilton Pedal; Black Box
www.ameechapman.com