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Topic: Dobro String Sets |
chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 18 Sep 2007 3:06 pm |
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| i can't find dobro string sets at my local stores that i like...what are the favorite bronze (?) fairly heavy sets that are available? |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 18 Sep 2007 4:38 pm
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Chris, the D'Addario EJ42 set...gauges 16-56 is very popular among many reso pickers that use the G, 135,135 tuning. Available here: www.fqms.com as well as other online stores.
I have also used Geo.L's bronze reso strings with good results.
You might check b0b's online store for dobro strings as well. |
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Dennis Graves
From:
Maryville, Tennessee
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Posted 18 Sep 2007 4:41 pm
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| Hey Chris, I agree with Jerry on this. The EJ42s are my favorite and I've tried most all of them at some time or another. |
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Mark Eaton
From:
Sonoma County in The Great State Of Northern California
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Posted 18 Sep 2007 5:20 pm
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Another place to try, with a good selection and good prices, is the "Resophonic Outfitters" section at the Beard guitars website:
https://www.beardguitars.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?
In terms of the unique world of dobro string sets, J-42's wouldn't qualify as "fairly heavy." The .016 is too thin for some folks as the first string (though Jerry Douglas prefers nothing larger - he thinks .017 and larger as the first string can sound "thuddy"). The real problem though, is the third string. The .026, if one is a hard picker, and plays a lot, will peter out in no time. A .028 or .029 will last a good while longer.
All that said, I'll make two points:
1. I really like the sound of J-42's and
2. If you play a lot of steel, you are bound to have a lighter touch in picking the dobro than someone who is mainly a dobro player, particularly one who plays a lot of bluegrass. So maybe having the thin third string will be no big deal. "Grassers" blow through the .026 thirds like there's no tomorrow!
Brad Harper, who builds beautiful dobros (and is a fine player), and also sells supplies on his website, has a custom set manufactured by GHS, and I have used several sets of his stings and they are very good. Here is his description:
"Tired of buzzy third strings and buying singles for the top? This is the set for you. Ready-to-go right from the pack. Roundwound Phosphor Bronze in all the right gauges.
17-18-28-36-46-56"
His website:
www.dobrology.com
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Mark |
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Mark Eaton
From:
Sonoma County in The Great State Of Northern California
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Posted 18 Sep 2007 5:22 pm
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...and Chris, The 5th String in Sacramento - I haven't been in there in probably three years - don't they have any decent dobro strings?
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Mark |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 18 Sep 2007 5:33 pm
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thanx guys....prices look good, too!
the fifth string in sac is a great store and john green (bossman) is a good friend....they didn't have a good bronze selection last time i checked... i should bug him about it! |
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Charlie Wallace
From:
Pioneertown, California, USA
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Posted 18 Sep 2007 5:58 pm Dobro Strings
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| Hey Chris, what I do to save money is to buy medium gauge acoustic guitar strings and swap out the 13 for an 18, works pretty well. |
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Lynn Oliver
From:
Redmond, Washington USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 18 Sep 2007 10:52 pm
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| Mark Eaton wrote: |
| 2. If you play a lot of steel, you are bound to have a lighter touch in picking the dobro than someone who is mainly a dobro player, particularly one who plays a lot of bluegrass. So maybe having the thin third string will be no big deal. "Grassers" blow through the .026 thirds like there's no tomorrow! |
The ghs 1650 set is the same gauges as the EJ42 set but with a .028 third.
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Lynn Oliver
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 19 Sep 2007 3:12 pm
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| thnx all....hey, charlie w. ...saw you on you tube sounding good...actually, that's what i've normally done...medium bronze sets with an added string..i don't play enough dobro to have a real routine down. |
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