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Topic: String manufacturers |
Billy Murdoch
From:
Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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Posted 19 Sep 2007 7:16 am |
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I have heard many times that there are only a few guitar string manufacturers in the world.
If this is so then are we all victims of sales hype?
have we fallen for "The Kings new Suit of Clothes"
Many of us have changed from brand A to brand B and attest to the increase in life and tone whilst many have changed from brand B to Brand A claiming similar results.
Could you really tell the difference between strings if they were in plain packaging?
Is the cheapest as good as the dearest? or are they graded for quality.
I look forward to some "informed"Replies.
Best regards
Billy |
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Roger Kelly
From:
Bristol,Tennessee
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Billy Murdoch
From:
Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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Posted 19 Sep 2007 7:36 am
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Thanks for the quick reply Roger.
I would guess that the various names on the packages will tell us that the strings contained therin are made to "Their" exact specification,still having us believe we have purchased that extra special set.
Billy |
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Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 19 Sep 2007 8:59 am
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In my opinion and observation, it is the wound strings that have the most variety of choices and sounds. Pure nickel, Stainless steel, phosphor bronze, flat wound, round wound, roller wound...
When these differently wound strings are freshly installed, I hear a difference, when picked in the open position. Also there are differences in the sound made between the string and the bar.
We are lucky to have so many choices. |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 19 Sep 2007 1:31 pm
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"I would guess that the various names on the packages will tell us that the strings contained therin are made to "Their" exact specification,still having us believe we have purchased that extra special set. "
There are different specs. I don't know much about them, but I do know that the windings can be put on from different angles, and those angles can make a big difference. Sometimes the angles of the winding heads are changed from string to string. I have just witnessed this. A 030 was sounding flat above the 13th fret marker. The solution was to change the string-winding machines angles for just that one string! Problem solved, although it took a while, and a lot of experimentation. So, I don't at all discount the "wound to their specs" statements. Although I'm also sure that many companies do just buy the standard strings, but not all do! |
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John Jeffries
From:
New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted 21 Sep 2007 6:07 am
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Just wondering if anyone has tried using the "Black Diamond" strings? How do they compare with other brands? The company sells nickel plated E9 and C6 sets for pedal steel. According to their website, www.blackdiamondstrings.com, this company is a "small custom shop" located in Sarasota Florida which produces "high end boutique strings" for fretted instruments.
I have been given to understand that the new Jackson "Blackjack" comes shipped from the factory with these strings installed.
Just curious....J.J. |
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 21 Sep 2007 11:19 am
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How much would you spend for better strings?
My answer is: not anymore than what is currently available.
If there was a better string, and it cost 50% more, I wouldn't be interested. The current brands give me all I need.
Based on Guadalupe's price on six string sets, I'd guess that a set of PSG strings would be about double the major brands. |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 21 Sep 2007 12:31 pm
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| Joey Ace wrote: |
How much would you spend for better strings?
My answer is: not anymore than what is currently available.
If there was a better string, and it cost 50% more, I wouldn't be interested. The current brands give me all I need.
Based on Guadalupe's price on six string sets, I'd guess that a set of PSG strings would be about double the major brands. |
For me it would depend on whether or not the more expensive strings sounded noticeably better than others.
I'd really have to hear a difference though.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 21 Sep 2007 1:03 pm
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The company in Sarasota is a resurrection of the old Black Diamond string company. They also produce the National brand of finger picks.
I have no info on the current strings, bu years ago Black Diamond strings were the "cheap" brand. I remember using them in the late 40's and early 50's as that was all I could afford (actually all my parents would spring for).
There used to be a joke about Black Diamond strings. If someone's guitar sounded bad or the strings were dead then they must be using Black Diamond strings. |
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James Quackenbush
From:
Pomona, New York, USA
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Posted 22 Sep 2007 6:45 pm
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Joey,
For those of us who play a longer scaled pedal steel with more tension involved, and the stronger odds of breaking strings, I know I would be GLAD to pay more for strings if they could take the added tension, and sounded good ....Jim |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 22 Sep 2007 6:54 pm
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| I wish Thomastik-Infeld made steel guitar sets. They are, BY FAR, the best 6 string sets I've ever heard. By a long shot. |
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Micky Byrne
From:
United Kingdom (deceased)
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Posted 22 Sep 2007 11:39 pm
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John Billings I "TOTALLY" agree with you on the Thomastik-Infield strings. Over here in England I have a contact who gets them in from Vienna and sends me some 11's and 17's of those very strings for my steel. They last a long time on daily regular playing. They are stainless steel coated in brass for prevention of corrosion. When she sent my my first order a couple of years ago, I thought she'd made a mistake and sent me Bronze strings (from the colouring), until I read up on the company. They come to pitch very easily and don't slip half as much on tuning up a new string. "Brilliant" tone too.
Micky Byrne United Kingdom www.mickybyrne.com |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 23 Sep 2007 2:18 am
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| Micky, I put a set of their Jazz BeBop 14-55 strings on my old jazzbox. Made it a completely different guitar! A much better guitar! The build quality is sooo much better than the strings we see here. A steel set would really be expensive, but might just be worth it. Wish I could get a set to try. |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Micky Byrne
From:
United Kingdom (deceased)
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Posted 23 Sep 2007 2:39 am
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Hi John, actually as I've said I get the 11's and 17's .... I get them a couple of dozen at a time, and they are cheaper then the "Big Name" brands that we hear/see every day.
Micky Byrne United Kingdom |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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