Strings???

Shawn Collins · From: Florida, USA

May I have some opinions on strings? Which ones are better than others? I am a new player and new to SGF. I tried to locate some forum topics on strings and did not really have much luck. Thanks in advance.
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Richard Tipple · From: Ohio, USA

Shawn, you will get many opinions about strings, here on the forum.

I would hate to say one brand is better than the other,,its a matter of what pleases you the most,
in tone, durability Etc.

Jagwire strings ,seem to be the hot item right now. In my case, Live Steel, strings, are my strings of choice.

George Ls makes a fine set of strings too.

So I would say ,try a few different brands & the ones that please you,,are the ones Smile

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Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

Shawn, b0b who runs this Forum sells GHS "Boomers". Buy them from b0b and you will like them I'm sure and you will help support the Forum. GHS is a good brand string. I sell my personalized strings but I don't advertize here to compete with the Forum out of respect.
Jerry

Joseph Barcus · From: Volga West Virginia

when one breaks in the middle of a gig any string will do then lol like the first person said try many out, just remember as a new player after playing a while and you find yourself having to tune at the nylon tuners, thats a big ole red flag
time to change the string"
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Shawn Collins · From: Florida, USA

Thanks Gentlemen. I have been playing acoustic 6-string for 20 years so I kind of knew that. I just wanted to start off closer to the top with someone's recommendation. Thanks again.
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Shawn Collins · From: Florida, USA

Jagwire, Herby Wallace Stainless looks like a good place to start.
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Stan Paxton · Posted 12 Dec 2012 3:47 pm

Shawn, that's as good a place to start as any, and better than most. Cool

My Opinion Only.
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Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

No matter which strings you select. Buy at least 2 sets at once. Every once in a while a string will break for no reason. I would suggest that you buy about 4 individual singles for the 3rd and 5th string. Same gauge and maker as the sets. They can break sometimes in the tuning up for the first time. Just to be safe. Good Luck and welcome to the world of Steel Guitar.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

I would suggest you do some research in the archives here on the various selections, availability and delivery times, etc.

In the 35 or so years I've been playing pedal steel, I haven't found much difference among the major brands packaged for pedal steel...until recently. Up to that point, I used SIT's, George L.'s, and GHS with pretty good results as well.

Currently though, I find Sid Hudson's Live Steel Strings definitely first rate quality and IMO, a cut above. Great customer service and super fast delivery.

I also echo Bobby's advice. Good Luck.

Georg Sørtun · From: Mandal, Agder, Norway

I have found not just string brand to be important, but also string gauges. After a few years search, for optimal evenness in tone and sustain the following two sets came out on top - quite a bit above all others I have tested on my steels...

I custom order Live Steel Strings with same gauges as the Jagwires - see values on Jagwire package-picture, a bit on the heavy side for some strings.

Note that the Jagwires are stainless wound, while the Live Steel Strings are nickel wound. Yet, strings from these two brands/sets can be interchanged on my Dekleys and GFI - that's how I compare strings - producing as near identical tone and sustain as I could ask for, with the stainless wound Jagwires giving off slightly (almost inaudible) more "bar-slide noise" than the nickel wound Live Steel Strings.

Have found both brands/sets to be quite long-lasting and stable for tone, sustain and otherwise. My Jag and LSS sets have lasted way past what I have come to expect of other brands I have tested, and I haven't changed any Jag or LSS strings because of breakage yet.

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

to start with, i always try to buy my strings from the Forum - Doin' my bit... Winking

i used Jagwires until they were not available
the Russ Hicks on E9 w: 011.5 on 3 & 038 on 10
John Hughey on C6
i substituted for SITs & then went on to Cobra Coils ( which imo are very good strings)
Cobras are available from Steel Guitar Nashville

Per Berner · From: Skovde, Sweden

New strings are a lot better than old ones. The secret is out! Winking

Ken Byng · From: Southampton, England

Bill Miller · From: Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

My vote goes to Live Steel strings. I found Jagwire to be better than any other brand I'd tried up until Live Steel strings became available. Both are excellent but the Live Steels really do set a new benchmark as far as I'm concerned.

Gary Preston · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Have you ever wondered who actually makes all these '' different '' name brand strings ? Cool

You may be surprised ! Razz

Ken Byng · From: Southampton, England

Cobra Coils are not made by a mass producer.
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Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

I just use Ernie Ball strings. I buy them in individual gauges.

I think many so called manufacturers use Ernie Ball strings, and just re-package them with their own brand name.

Since I have 2 identical guitars, with the same pickup, I'm in an ideal position to try different brands and see if any of them actually sound different or better.

Some day.......
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Gary Preston · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Ken Cobra Coils are G.H.S. Thats a fact .

Ken Byng · From: Southampton, England

Gary Preston · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Ken . G.H.S.

Jeff Metz Jr. · From: York, Pennsylvania, USA

GHS strings are great on a 6 stringer. Never tried them on a steel. I too purchase single strings and they are always colored ball ends. That leads me to believe that they are D'addario? However you spell that.
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Gary Preston · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Jeff i am a G.H.S. dealer and also a George L dealer . I sell and use these products at our steel guitar jams . I have been using G.H.S. strings for a long time and they havn't let me down in any way . As you know if you want your name or brand on a package of strings all you have to do is work it out with the manufacturer . Lots of folks do this . G.P.

Jay Ganz · From: Out Behind The Barn

So, how many actual manufacturers are there?

Jim Pitman · From: Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA

The only distinction I make is stainless or nickel wound.
Nickel is permeable, Stainless is not. I think nickel sounds better as it works with a magnetic pickup better. I used to run stainless because they held up longer - don't oxidize as easily, but I've switched back to nickel for tone reasons.

Gary Preston · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Jay the last i heard there were maybe three at most . These were old company's .

Jim I get the best results from the Stainless Strings . They have better tone and last longer . I tried the Nickel strings on one of my steels after using stainless for a long time and my steel was dead . I removed them after a little while . We all know tone is up to each of us and it seems we all hear different ! We all know that everyone has an opinion about guitars , tuning , amps , etc . This will never end it seems . But i suppose this is what makes the world go around huh ?

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