Manufacturers Of Pedal Steel Guitar Strings

Kenneth Kotsay · From: Davie/Ft Lauderdale, Florida

Got a question regarding strings we all use on our pedal steels. The brand names of pedal steel guitar string are manufactured by who??

Lets see, there's, Jagwire, Franklins, GHS, Ernie Balls, Cobras, Emmons plus about 4 other strings brands specifically made for steels.

What companies actually produce them.

Is there such a things called, "THE BEST OF THE BEST PEDAL STEEL GUITAR STRINGS" in the whole wide world including the planet Pluto.

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

Back in the 70s it was said that Squire made Sho-Bud strings and GHS made Emmons strings. I know that D'Addario made Dekley strings.

Roger Kelly · From: Bristol,Tennessee

Here is what Mapes Piano wire company of Elizabethton, TN. makes for these string suppliers that you might recognize.
http://www.mapeswire.com/specialtywire.html

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

In case you missed it, here is some interesting reading:

Click Here

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

At one time there wasn't much confusion on actual "manufacturers" of strings from the wire they buy from wire suppliers. There were only a handful. A long time ago I did a string article for the PSGA Newsletter and at the time I could only confirm three companies that actually manufactured strings. Now there are more but finding out if a string "brand" actually makes their own strings or who they use is a closely guarded industry secret.

I use George L's, which are a custom string manufactured by GHS. I've also used the GHS "supersteels" and they are very close to George L's but not exactly the same.

Kenneth Kotsay · From: Davie/Ft Lauderdale, Florida

Thanks guys, interesting what other steel players know about various subjects here on the forum. This post is about brands of strings.

I have tried so many steel & non-steel string brands over the years, I will admit I'm not expert when it comes to strings, I try to go by what pleases me & my ear. When I received my Franklin years ago it came with Franklin strings, so I began to order Mr. Franklin's strings, turned out to be a good choice, the .011 lasted 1 year, as did the next .011 which I actually had to remove, this string had no life left in it, the rest of his strings did very well also. I'm now using GHS which I find very good in there ability to last long, especially the .011. I play my Zum about 9-10 hours per week.

So I guess it's up to the individual steel playet to what steel strings he prefers.

Now, how many steel players never switched brands, the guys who have been playing since the 60s, there got to be one died hard steel player out there, so answer up who ever you are.

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

Looks to me like the Mapes list covers most all of the steel guitar strings we use.
I used to use several different brands then Jack Stoner turned me onto the GHS brand and I've been using the and pleased with the SS for more than 10 years now. Seldom do i have the need to adjust my nylon hex when i change strings.
Don

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Kenneth, my Franklin came with Bill Lawrence strings (and 705 pickups). I was told that was what I should use on the guitar. As Bill got out of the business and sold his part to George Lewis, I then started using the "George L's strings (and cables).

At one point, Paul(Sr) was selling Franklin branded strings. I tried them but didn't like them as good as the George L's.

Kenneth Kotsay · From: Davie/Ft Lauderdale, Florida

Jack, I purchased my Franklin back in 1999, like I said, Franklin's strings had to be on this steel because shorlty thereafter I started to order strings from him and they were all Franklins.

I have tried all the different brands over & over in the last 32 years and what I go by is the breakage of the 3rd string, if it last a long time I stick to that brand of string, I had a Franklin string last one year, no other brand lasted that long, (usually from 10 hours to about 15, with all the other brands). Now about tone, well I don't play out no more, I play tracks in my den, only the wife & cat hears me, if I don't enjoy my steel tone by now I never will.

Here's something to think about, when China starts making steel guitar strings & they lasted 2 years I'll buy them, what the heck everything inside my house is made in China, Home Depot Stores are even made in China when you come to think about it.

By the way wait till China begins the production of pedal steel guitars, I could see it all now in Wal-Mart, steel guitars announced as a blue light special, $999.99. plus free China made pedal steel guitar strings.

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

Mapes looks like a music wire mfgr who provides the wire used by other companies to make strings. They have the equipment required to take a hunk of metal and draw it out into wire. That mfg process may yield several types and grades of music wire.

There is a lot of confusion re: strings and the terminology and 'trade secret' aspects make understanding the facts more difficult.

I think you'll find there are 3 levels of 'manufacturing'
* the company that makes the wire
* the company that creates strings from that wire
* the company that puts their name on the wrapper

All three can call themselves 'manufacturers' without divulging what they ACTUALLY DO.

I have asked repeatedly who does what and (other than what can be gleaned from the Mapes link above) can't seem to get a straight answer from anyone other than GHS who, I am relatively certain, buys the wire from Mapes and does the rest, as well as winding and packaging for several other well known companies.

Again, from what I can surmise, the difference we see in strings results from two variations:
* the quality and composition of the wire
and
* the way the wound strings are wound

I try to keep fresh strings on three guitars, playing 3-4 4 hour gigs each week. When trying to justify spending 2x - 3x for 'special strings' I have to see a real difference. I don't. I buy SIT stainless 12 string sets for $7.50 from JustStrings, change them each month, and can find no better value on the planet. In my experience, 50 hours on the bandstand will wear out a set of strings, so I try to change them before that point.

Just my experience.
_________________
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · From: Southaven, MS, USA

I'm still looking for bass strings: eg, 036 through 065 that are UNWOUND. If any manufacturer can produce these as a SPECIAL ORDER, please let me hear from you.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

WOW. Dr. Jeffries, that is one tall (and undoubtedly real expensive) order. I think there would be no tone to an unwound string that large.
_________________
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.

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · From: Southaven, MS, USA

Richard: Compare to a piano string of the same density; I think the biggest drawback would be the non-magnetic effect, but I'm willing to try.

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

Frenchys Silent Series strings are made by SIT, but to Frenchy' specifications. Frenchy had a metallurgist(sp) come in and look the guitar over
and came up with the specs. Especially for the 3rd. and 5th string. Best strings I have ever used. Jody.

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: