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Author Topic:  Question about Dobro strings
Greg Vincent


From:
Folsom, CA USA
Post  Posted 12 Oct 2009 2:23 pm    
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Hi folks,

I'm more of a pedal steeler so bear with me here:

I just tried a set of the Jagwire Gary Morse Artist Series Resophonic Guitar strings on my Dobro. They are nickel wound and sound weird to me. Most of the Dobros I've seen have had bronze wound strings like you would find on an acoustic guitar. These nickel strings sound very "metallic".

Should I just wait until they mellow with age? Or should I stick to bronze wound strings for Dobro?

-GV
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Philip Tamarkin

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 12 Oct 2009 2:30 pm     Dobro Strings
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Most players tend to play phosphor bronze strings for the tone - not sure that nickel strings will give you that mellow sound even with the passing of time.

D'Addario J42s and GHS 1650s are the "go-to" phosphor bronze sets - I tend to get better life and somewhat fuller tone from the GHS, but your mileage may vary.
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Jim Bates

 

From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 13 Oct 2009 5:18 pm    
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Nickle strings will kill the sound of a wooden body resophnic to my ears, but will sound o.k. on a metalbody. I use the EJ-42 D'Addario srings on all of my wooden body resophonics, but dependng on the guitar do use a heavier first and second string sometimes for better balance.

On my metal body Dobro (model 36) I use the Martin reso strings, but tune to an F (two frets lower than a G tuning) to keep a mellower sound.

Thanx,
Jim
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John DeBoalt


From:
Harrisville New York USA
Post  Posted 14 Oct 2009 8:39 am    
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I've used D'Addario EJ42 for several years now. I wouldn't use any thing else unless I had to. I found an old set of GHS nickel wrap when I was cleaning out a cabinet last week. I'll probably string up my lap steel with them. John
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John Billings


From:
Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 14 Oct 2009 10:43 am    
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They're a different sound, but they will mellow out to a certain degree. They're real bright when new. I'd say, play them for a week or two. I don't use bronze strings on any of my guitars. I have a very strong right hand, fingerpicking, and I just kill the bronze strings in a few days. I can't stand strings that are dull-sounding, so I put up with the "brightness" for a few days.
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AJ Azure

 

From:
Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.
Post  Posted 14 Oct 2009 2:05 pm    
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I swear by these:
http://www.juststrings.com/sit-sc-a6th-8.html
Both on my tricone and spider

I use the 56, 42, 36, 26, 17, 15

tuned GAEGBD but, it sounds great for standard GBDGBD as well
I get enough mellow with an edge when desired.
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John Billings


From:
Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 14 Oct 2009 2:34 pm    
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AJ, I've always used Sit strings. Well,,, since the company started. Knew Virgil and Don's an old friend. It's a company that will always make up a special set of custom strings, give it a number, and keep it on file. I spent a long time finding just the right gauges for my baritone Strat. Sit -Pro Spec 1164. I can go anywhere they sell SITs and just give them that number to order. Good strings. Good company!
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