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Topic: Types of strings ? |
Kristen Bruno
From: Orlando, Florida, USA
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Posted 20 Oct 2015 9:36 am
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Some strings have a little letter next to the string gage. What is this designation for? Should I avoid certain types of strings for pedal steel? (or even lap steel for that matter).
Thanks
K _________________ "Technology has given us the ability to repeat all the mistakes we have learned from history, but much faster, deadlier and with much greater accuracy" - KAB |
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Michael Hummel
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 20 Oct 2015 9:47 am
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If what you are seeing is "W" or "P", then it stands for "Wound" or "Plain". Every guitar is different, and certain pulls work better on certain guitars with wound or plain strings (different amounts of tension are necessary to change pitch on wound vs. plain [non-wound] strings).
Mike _________________ MSA Classic 5+4
Too many 6-strings and amps to list |
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Jack Stoner
From: Kansas City, MO
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Posted 20 Oct 2015 10:27 am
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Best suggestion is to get strings that are for Pedal Steel Guitar. Most music stores do not stock them. Bondz Music in Wildwood does as the owner is a Steel player. Its a little drive from Orlando.
Other option is to order sets from the Forum, which helps to support the forum. Live Steel Strings seem to be the current favorite of many.
Come over to our Florida Steel Guitar club jams, in Lake Panasoffkee and you can talk to the various club members about strings.
www.floridasteelguitarclub.com |
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Richard Sinkler
From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 20 Oct 2015 12:14 pm
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It looks like the forum stopped selling Live Steel Strings. I went to Live Steel Strings website to order some, and all I get is the home page and no links to other pages. I'm hoping it's just a temporary quirk on my end. I am about to need to order some strings. Live Steel Strings are the best in my opinion, with Jagwires a close second. _________________ Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Erv Niehaus
From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 20 Oct 2015 12:34 pm
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I used to buy Ernie Ball strings by the gauge but since trying Live Steel Strings, they are my choice of strings. |
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Sid Hudson
From: Virginia, USA
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Lee Dassow
From: Jefferson, Georgia USA
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Posted 20 Oct 2015 5:57 pm
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Sid's strings are the best. T.L. _________________ 2015 Mullen D-10 Royal Precision 9x8,-1990 BMI S-10 5x5-1972 Silver face Fender pro Reverb amp,-1965 Fender Super Reverb Amp,- 1966 Fender Showman Amp Two 15" JBL speakers,- 2006 65 Fender Twin Reverb reissue Amp,- 1982 Peavey Session 500 amp,-1978 Peavey Session 400,Goodrich Volume Pedals,John Pearse Steel Bars, |
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Billy Carr
From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)
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Posted 20 Oct 2015 11:02 pm strings
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LSS for me. I purchase mine from Ray Thomas in North Carolina. |
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Jeff Harbour
From: Western Ohio, USA
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Posted 21 Oct 2015 4:10 am
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Although the steel-specific string manufacturer's are of the highest quality (such as Jagwire or Live Steel Strings), there is obviously a cost for the quality.
If you want a less expensive alternative, Juststrings.com stocks several pre-packaged pedal steel string sets at fairly low prices, the biggest selection being with the SIT brand. http://www.juststrings.com/pedalsteelguitar.html
If you are new to the instrument, that would be a good way to try out several different gauges and metal types until you determine your personal preferences. Then you would be better equipped to invest in the higher quality strings later.
Jeff H. |
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Roy Carroll
From: North of a Round Rock
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Posted 21 Oct 2015 5:11 am
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Another vote for Live Strings. I change strings every 2 weeks or 10 jobs, whichever comes first. I used to use Jagwires, but have found Live Strings to stay brighter longer and have no breakage. I use stainless because they seem to be a little brighter. Sid is a great guy to do business with as well. Some say a string is a string, but I don't believe that is true. _________________ Just north of the Weird place, south of Georgetown |
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Jerry Overstreet
From: Louisville Ky
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Posted 21 Oct 2015 5:21 am
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Not sure if this has anything to do with your question, but besides designation w & p printed beside the gauge to indicate wound & plain, there are also the letters R or PG to designate a string is reinforced for pedal guitar optimum.
These are found from some mfgs./vendors who package strings for pedal steel guitar use and generally are .011 for 3rd. string G# and .017 for 5th string B. JIC you weren't aware. |
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Jeff Harbour
From: Western Ohio, USA
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Posted 21 Oct 2015 5:25 am
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I agree, a string is definitely Not 'just a string'. I've had some serious buzzing on low frets with one brand, then it disappeared when I switched to another brand (same gauges and metal).
With that being said, it is true that there are a very limited number of string factories (I've heard it's only about 14 or 15 of them). Many of the standard guitar string brands in fact come from the same source, much like oil refineries. |
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Teddy Lloyd
From: Virginia, USA
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Posted 21 Oct 2015 8:29 am
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Get the best LSS |
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Erv Niehaus
From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 21 Oct 2015 9:04 am
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LSS ? |
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Jeff Harbour
From: Western Ohio, USA
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Posted 21 Oct 2015 9:17 am
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Erv,
I believe he is referring to what you just called your "choice of strings". Funny how the brain tricks us sometimes... |
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Erv Niehaus
From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 21 Oct 2015 10:45 am
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Jeff,
Now I get it!! |
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Allan Jirik
From: Wichita Falls TX
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Posted 21 Oct 2015 1:07 pm
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Is Live Steel Strings the only company that offers an extended E9th set? I'd rather get all 12 strings in one pack than have to mix and match. |
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Lane Gray
From: Topeka, KS
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Posted 21 Oct 2015 2:04 pm
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I believe Jagwire does custom sets. _________________ 2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Stu Schulman
From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 22 Oct 2015 6:33 am
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Every January I buy a bunch of sets of Strings from Fred Justice at the Feenix Steel guitar show...I think they are S.I.T.brand and work for me,Besides making a great guitar Fred has the Strings! _________________ Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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Jack Ritter
From: Enid, Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 22 Oct 2015 7:24 am
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LSS for me. Been trying to call
Ray Thomas to order some more but n o reply. May be on vacation. He has individual strings as well as sets and great to deal with.
Seldom ever break a string and super tone. _________________ Zum D10 8x5,rev pre-amp, TC M300, Split 12, n-112, IZZY, Hilton vp, Geo L, BJS Hughey, Live Steel |
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Lane Gray
From: Topeka, KS
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Posted 22 Oct 2015 7:35 am
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You can always buy direct... _________________ 2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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