string manufacturing question

Marty Broussard · From: Broussard, Louisiana, USA

How many string brands are actually making their own strings? A group of us were talking the other day and the subject of different string brands came up. We could remember when all we could get/afford were Black Diamonds that we purchased at the local independently owned drug-store. Marty B.

Don Sulesky · From: Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH

This subject has already been hashed around and fully explained earlier this year.
Do a search and you'll find it.

David Doggett · Posted 15 Aug 2008 9:49 am

This has come up several times before. I don't think it's particularly relevant how many string manufacturers there are. Even if there are only a few, each purveyor can ask for different alloys. The idea that just because there are only a few manufacturers all strings are the same regardless of brand is a myth.

The first time I tried Jagwires, I could tell that they were tougher than anything I had used before. When I passed the end of an 0.012 3rd string through the post hole and began wrapping, it would not hold and kept slipping. This was because it would not take a kink where it came out of the hole. It was both stronger and more flexible than anything I had used before. I have to pass those through the hole twice. And this is borne out by the fact that they last longer without breaking. I don't know what the difference is in the string content, but it is definitely different. Also, Cobra Coil strings (Steel Guitars Nashville) say they are made from a special alloy.

So, while some purveyors may get strings of the same alloy from the same or different manufacturers, others use different alloys, whether from the same manufacturer or not.

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Not to get too sideways but have you guys seen the "How It's Made" episode on guitar strings on the Discovery Ch? Don,Please don't take offense but this search engine is not my friend. Whoa!

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chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

yeah, don. just because you've discussed something before doesn't mean others might not like to discuss it now. you don't have to join in if you don't want. i personally can't figure out how to find simple logical things on this search system...it's nice when the smart people who get it post links for us dummies on past issues.

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=127732&highlight=string+manufacturers

Don Sulesky · From: Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH

No offence taken guys.
I just could not remember what heading it was under
and at the time did not have time to do the search myself.
I saw the "How it's made show" and just happen to be using that brand of guitar strings for more than 10 years. For my steel I have been using GHS SS for 7 years.
b0b, thanks for locating it for us.
Don

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

I agree with David that strings can be quite different within the same manufacturer. In any area, OEM manufacturing specs can vary widely, depending on the product properties and price-point desired.

Another issue is that, in the current wordwide manufacturing picture, this kind of stuff changes rapidly.

BTW - if you're struggling to use the forum search function - it is somewhat limited - read this thread on using Google to search within the forum instead: http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=1221820

I don't think anybody's saying new threads shouldn't be started. But I think it would often be better to be able to see what's been said first and perhaps even continue older threads to add new information, rather than have tons of short, identical threads scattered all over the place. I consider this forum to be the #1 source of information on steel guitars in the world. Purely from an information management point of view, it's better to have more information in a smaller number of threads, IMO.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I did some research about 10 years ago for a PSG Newsletter article. There are many grades and metal compositions of strings. e.g., George L's are OEM'd by GHS but are a different grade than the GHS Branded Stainless Steel strings or other OEM'd brands.

Many Brands that claimed they made their own strings, at the time, did not they were actually made by one of the "biggies" such as GHS. I don't know how it is now but there are probably more than GHS and Squier custom making their own label or strings for other brands.

In the early 70's, when I worked at Little Roy Wiggins music store, he had his own branded strings. They were made by Squier and were the same strings that Squier was making for Sho-Bud at the time. Sho-Bud strings, previously, had been made by GHS.

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Not only alloys can change, but also the angle of the heads that wind the strings.

Marty Broussard · From: Broussard, Louisiana, USA

Bob, thanks for the link and I agree with Dave in regards to this forum being the #1 source for any information related to steel.
Stu and Chris, I appreciate your comments. I'm usually very good at searching for information but I struggle a little when searching the forum. Hence, I asked the question because it saved me time.
Jack, David and Dave, thanks for the valuable information, especially the alternate search method. I actually had two reasons for doing the post: (1)It was a nostalgic conversation I had with some buddies that spawned the question and I knew that if it hadn't been discussed on the forum I could get some valuable/useful information quickly. I agree that it doesn't matter how many there are but I'd like to learn the differences. BTW, I will search for "How it's made" just to see what I can find. (2)The longer I live the more I try to research things instead of doing the trial and error excercise. Sometimes it starts to cost too much and takes too much time for my busy life-style. Thanks again to all of you for your help. It is greatly appreciated.
Best regards, Marty B.
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