Question on strings

Glyn Bone · From: Halifax.Nova Scotia. Canada * R.I.P.

Hi guys, I would like to hear your experiences with different brands of strings, Jags. GHS, SIT ect ect. as to which brands , in your opinion, are the `brightest` or `warmest` or somewhere inbetween these two extremes.
I am particularly interested to hear from Carter players as to what they have experienced as far as string tones.
I know that touch/pickups/bar and all that make a difference as does the particular instrument even within the same brand....my interest is in particular up in the region from the 12th fret and up. Also if you could state what pup you used that would be a help too.

Any and all information/opinions will be aqppreciated.

Thanks in advance.
_________________
Glyndwr

Carter SD10 4x5 with Wallace TrueTone ( 18K ohms)
Peavey NV 112
Hilton Vol.Ped.
Brad Sarno 'Freeloader'
Boss/Roland SE-20 Space Echo
BJS `Hughey` bar
BJS 1" bar
Zookie thumbpicks
Dunlop and JN finger picks

Andy Sandoval · From: Bakersfield, California, USA

Carter D-10 with Ricky Davis signature's and TrueTone pickups. Don't get any better than that. Very Happy

George McLellan · From: Duluth, MN USA

I use SIT's on both my Carter and Willy. I think you should Try the differant brands out there and be your own judge on what sounds and performs the best for YOU.
Geo

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

I agree with what George said. I have tried many of the major brands packaged for steel and can't tell any difference among them. Your experience might be different however, and you may find a brand or alloy that suits you and your guitar.

It's been stainless steel Geo L's mostly for me, but GHS, SIT, Franklin, D'Addario, Jagwires, et al from the major brands have all performed satisfactorily for me.

The mfg. generally has brand and gauge recommendations, so it's always wise to check with them as well IMO.

Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

FWIW
IMHO
I think there is a real sonic difference between stainless and nickel wound strings. Stainless being brighter and zingy to me and lasting a bit longer. The Jagwire nickel wound strings are my number one choice. A close second is GHS Pure Nickel rollerwound aka semiflats. Nice warm tone on the wound strings. If I want bright I tweak the amp.
GHS is sensitive to steel players. They have some plain strings that have a better "twist" on the ball end. MAde for PSG.
My main pickup is a 12-1.

rr

Tommy Detamore · From: Floresville, Texas

Jagwires are a perfect match for my Carter. They have warmth, yet are clear. I hear an evenness quality in these strings that I don't hear in other strings. And I have had a recent batches of other strings that would cause the dreaded "sitar" effect on strings 1,3, and 4. I would dress my fingers and it would go away only for a bit only to return very quickly. Since switching to Jagwires this problem has gone away. The Jagwires, even the nickel sets that I prefer, do last longer than other strings. And I have broken one 3rd string in six months. I used to change 3rd's every few days as a preemptive measure, but now I just leave 'em on until time to change the whole set. The one I broke was over four months old I am embarrassed to say!

For years I thought a string was pretty much a string, but I have to say that there is something quite different going on with these strings.
_________________
Tommy Detamore
Quilter Labs, Goodrich Sound, Source Audio, Neunaber Audio, and Stringjoy Authorized Dealer

www.cherryridgestudio.com
www.steelguitartracksonline.com

Craig A Davidson · From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA

I use Jagwires on both guitars. The Sho-Bud has the Lloyd Green signature set on it. The push-pull has the Dairy Show set on it. When Danny gets them packaged, the Emmons will have the new push-pull string sets. As a sidebar, I also use Jagwires on my Tele and my Takamine acoustic. They are my faves. I won't use anything else if I can help it. If you need to know where to get them, bOb has them, or there is a link on our dairy show website.
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2013 Williams D-10, 2019 Williams D-10, 1970 Fender Twin, Evans SE200, Fender Tonemaster Twin, Hilton pedal, Jagwire Strings.

Jody Sanders · From: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

Over the years, I have tried them all. For me, Frenchy's Silent Series semi-flatwound nickel are the best. Also available in stainless. Jody.

Glyn Bone · From: Halifax.Nova Scotia. Canada * R.I.P.

Many thanks for the replies Gentlemen.

My main reason for asking this question is because I am having what I percieve to be a "tone" problem from about fret 15 up...the sound gets quite `piercing` and sometimes a bit thin....my treble control on the PV 112 is most times down at -15 but this doesn`t seem to cure the pitchiness of the high strings...yet I hear some of you guys with Carters playing up high and the sound is `warmer` or less `piercing` and I was wondering what kind of strings some of you are using.....my pup is a True-Tone wound to 18K ohms...I tried a BL XR-16 but that was too hot for my tastes....I like the tone of the TTs until I go past the 12th fret.
Even altering the mids does nowt to help, or the shift. prescence is also at -15 so I seek help from you.
I have been told that some Carters can get very `pitchy` up high...maybe that`s true, but if so why do others sound so sweet up there ???

Anyway I do appreciate all responses, who knows, maybe someone has found the same and found a `cure`. Smile

_________________
Glyndwr

Carter SD10 4x5 with Wallace TrueTone ( 18K ohms)
Peavey NV 112
Hilton Vol.Ped.
Brad Sarno 'Freeloader'
Boss/Roland SE-20 Space Echo
BJS `Hughey` bar
BJS 1" bar
Zookie thumbpicks
Dunlop and JN finger picks

Mark Lind-Hanson · From: Menlo Park, California, USA

I have a Carter and since the start have had a store making up a custom set for me (almost exclusively GHS). If something happens to break I don't have a spare in my steel string bag for I'll use anything of the same gauge- if that's in my six string string bag.
So far I have really had few problems, once I solved my "popping the 3rd string" issue, everything's been going fine. God help me if that store closes and I have to resort to some store who don't even deal with pedal steels...
For thin tone, (which was another issue with my Carter originally) I just plugged in a compressor with a volume knob and that kicked it all up into a range where all the strings do seem to have the same volume now.

Craig A Davidson · From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA

Mark, check your pick-up heighth. About 2 quarters worth under the strings is how I set mine. Guys for that thin problem try an 11an1/2 on your third string or maybe even a 12. Sometimes boosting your highs will help also. It's not always a case of too much.

Glyn Bone · From: Halifax.Nova Scotia. Canada * R.I.P.

Well butter muh butt and call me a biskit !!!!!

I just read Craigs post on this thread...and...no offence intended Craig...I had to ask myself " which `end` is this cat talking out of ?" here I am trying to ease the pain of my treble tones up high and he`s suggesting I BOOST the treble ??? Yikes I`m thinking.
Anyhoo..I`m sitting there at the steel, with the amp beside me, and Craigs comment keeps running through my now weary head.....so...reach down while the high notes are sounding, ease the treble control up a few notches.....and VOILA !!!! the trebles are now ringing like a bunch of church bells !!! nice and clear, clean and suddenly NOT hurting my ears anymore....WOW!!! a few minor treble tweaks and I am now so close to getting and hearing the sound I have in my head.

Craig mate....you`re a bloody lifesaver Very Happy

Who woulda thunk it eh ?...darn sure I didn`t....but thanks to our friend above ( Craig) I can now really enjoy what I`m hearing, and hopefully so will anyone who hears it too Smile

Thanks a mint for what at first appeared to be a rather `odd` solution. Ya nailed it mon ami Laughing

Thanks also to all who gave input Smile

it is oft quoted that " less is more"

Now I can say "more is sometimes less !! "
_________________
Glyndwr

Carter SD10 4x5 with Wallace TrueTone ( 18K ohms)
Peavey NV 112
Hilton Vol.Ped.
Brad Sarno 'Freeloader'
Boss/Roland SE-20 Space Echo
BJS `Hughey` bar
BJS 1" bar
Zookie thumbpicks
Dunlop and JN finger picks

Craig A Davidson · From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA

Glyn, the reason it sometimes works is that it was probably the high mids offending you. There weren't enough highs to offset it.

Steve Norman · From: Seattle Washington, USA

nother thing about strings....the more magnetic material in the string the brighter it will be. Nickle strings are mellower (warmer)because of this.
_________________
GFI D10, Fender Steel King, Hilton Vpedal,BoBro, National D dobro, Marrs RGS

Louis Vallee · From: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Mark, check your LXR-16 pick-up height...

Start with 1/8th spacing at the high strings and 3/16th spacing at the low strings.

I use SIT Nickel Custom Set on my D-10 Carter with BL LXR-16 at 3/16th. "I have a light touch"

Good Luck!

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