Strings for dobro

[Mark Eaton]

You're probably right.

And perhaps certain things should remain sacred, like Josh Graves using a .026 plain third string.

Though it might be worth trying on my circa 1931 Dobro, not the Clinesmith. Then it would be pretty authentic and Josh-like.

[Dave Thier]

I sent a note off to Webstrings about switching to a .028 third also. Maybe if enough folks write they will make the change.

Dave

[Bill Hampton]

I like the Beard "Special 29's" as I prefer a little more tension in my Dobro strings.

[Clyde Mattocks]

I, too prefer a tighter string as I whack them pretty hard. I have been using a set made up of D'Addario stainless round wound. .018, .020, .030w, ,038. 048, .056.

[Jerry Overstreet]

I guess some of you hear something I don't with the heavier 3rd. Been using EJ42's since the 90's at least. They always came with a 26W 3rd in the set. Worked fine for me. The last order for 2 sets from Elderly had the 28's even though their website still shows 26's.

So does Resophonic Outfitters, so I guess this bump up to the larger gauge is a fairly recent thing. Seemed to work OK for everybody for years, go figure.

I like the feel of the smaller string and would prefer not to file the slots so I'll probably be switching to John Pearse or another brand with a 26W next time. Different strokes, ya know

[Greg Booth]

Jerry, it's true that the EJ42 set used to contain a .026W 3rd string, but they began the change to a .028 as early as 2005 without updating the webpage. I don't know if you are a ResoNation member, but the creator and admin Brad Harper created this topic in December of 2004:

Should D'Addario increase their EJ-42 3rd string diameter to .28?

Here is his opening post:

I sent this to D'Addario earlier to once again suggest to them the need to increase their 3rd string to a .28. Unless they have one incredibly convincing business reason, this is a no-brainer. I pointed them here to see how the community felt. Your thoughts and vote is appreciated.

-bh

Hello. I am writing you in regards to your EJ-42 set of strings. I am a resophonic guitar builder and player and have purchased your strings for several years. With the resophonic community being as small as it is, things tend to get around and a common theme is how favorable your EJ-42 strings are. However, with virtually every claim, there is the desire for the third string to be a larger .28 diameter instead of the .26. The .26 is simply too small to be a wound string in the popular tunings. It cannot withstand the pressure and abuse and begins to buzz about 1/4 to 1/3 into the string life of the remaining set. You could completely dominate this market if you would make this change. This is the third time I've written to suggest this and will be my last. If another manufacturer comes out with a set that includes the larger third string, as long as their phosphor bronze and price are comparable, they will take the market. No question. I'm fairly connected into the market and players are desperate for a readily available, high quality set with the appropriate gauges. Is there a business reason that this diameter could not be altered to the much more desirable .28? It is the consensus from the players as well as just about every builder in the country. If you change this diameter, your market share will increase. With all due respect, you should listen to your market. The customers are telling you what they want and D'Addario could capitalize on this request. Additionally, I've posted a copy of this message on a Resophonic Guitar online community, http://www.reso-nation.org. If you'd like to follow the thread there, you'll see for yourself the consumer's opinion. Thanks for your time.

Regards,
Brad Harper
Harper Resophonics


D'Addario replied with this:

Dear Brad,

Thank you for your e-mail. We appreciate you taking the time to contact us.
I'm very sorry not to reply sooner, but the holidays have put us a bit
behind.

We have heard your complaint before, and are actually planning on making
this change. You may know that our coated EXP42 set (introduced a couple
years ago) has a .028. There is a typo in our latest catalog that is being
corrected. It lists EXPPB026 as the 3rd string, but also lists the diameter
as .028". Most of our dobro playing endorsees use this EXP set (Jerry
Douglas, Rob Ickes.), and seem to prefer the .028 as well. I'm not sure why
the EJ42 has a .026, and hopefully this slight change will help the sales of
this set as you mention!

I'm not sure how quickly you will see this change out in the marketplace,
but rest assured that we are making this change. In the meantime, give the
EXP42 set a try.

Thanks for pointing out the ResoNation forum. I wasn't aware of it, and
will check in from time to time.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions in the future.

Best regards,

Matt Sweeney
Consumer Marketing Manager
J. D'Addario & Company, Inc.

In the poll 93% voted in favor of the .028. There are definitely players who prefer the .026 though, the late great Mike Auldridge most notably.

[Len Amaral]

This has been a great topic and I ordered several different string sets. I am just getting into dobro but feel comfortable on a lap steel so the gauge and type of string is important.

In any event, it's fun to play the dobro and the gretsch with the built in pickup is decent for the money.

Regards,

Lenny

[Allen Hutchison]

I guess I'm in the 7% minority 'cause I'll stick with my nickel set with the 26's thanks.
To each his own.

[Janet Peters]

The choice of strings depends on the guitar. I use GHS cryogenic Scheerhorn series on a Scheerhorn. They last forever, but when they go, there're gone. The Beard Special 29 set on another instrument is the best, the third string is .029w. It sounds very beefy, but warm. Some set-up work may be required. On a baritone open C tuning resophonic metal body tri-cone guitar, the strings are custom with the low at a whopping .068w. Lap steels are another discussion.

[Dave Rodgers]

I guess I'm in the 7% minority 'cause I'll stick with my nickel set with the 26's thanks.
To each his own.

I'm in that 7% too Allen.. the Phos Bronze just don't sound right on my 70's OMI.

[Michael Wolfe]

Michael, the price is certainly right on those strings - but they come with the dreaded .026w third string. Dobro players have been telling the string suppliers for years to lose the lighter .026w and go to a .028w or .029w and most have listened.

I am new at this so I wasn't aware of the shortcomings of the .026 third, plus I have cheap dobros anyway so I am not sure how much of a difference this would make to me. I have a couple of sets on the way but historically I have found the Webstrings strings to be of good quality. This will at least get me through the experimentation stage to find out what I really like and don't like.