What strings for your 6 and 8 string lap/console steels?

[Joe Major]

I'm a new player after playing "armpit" guitar since the 1960s. The armpit players have an almost infinite choice of strings. I know the SGF forum sells some lap strings, and there are a few other options. I'm using the excellent SIT string sets now. I'm looking to try low E13 8 string and high C6 8 string. Looks like assembling the right gauged sets from single strings is the way to go. Am I on the right track, and what's the most economical way to do that? I appreciate any suggestions you have.
Thanks,
Joe

[Bo Parker]

I use stringjoy.

https://www.stringjoy.com/

You can order custom 8-string sets from them. I get high-G C6 and McAuliffe E13 sets from them.

-Bo Parker

[Joe Major]

Thanks a lot, Bo. Appears to be just what I'm looking for. Nickel wound and choose each string gauge. Can't ask for more than that.
Thanks,
Joe

[Steve Wilson]

I like to support the forum whenever I can. Look under the strings tab at the top of the page. Likely you can find what you are looking for and support the forum at the same time.

[Andy DePaule]

Me too, I also try to get as much as possible from the forum to support this site where I go most often. Need to place another order soon.
Wish Bob would get the National finger picks again. Hint, hint.....

I live overseas, but return to the states at least twice a year. I usually place an order before I return so my stuff is waiting for me when I get to my destination in Oregon.

[Joe Major]

Thanks for the replies. Actually, I don't see all I want under the Strings tab. That's why I asked to begin with.
Joe

[Mark Helm]

Love the Scotty's semi-flat strings. They're not as noisy as "regular" strings, but still have a bit of bite/brightness.

Here's the C6 set I use:

http://www.juststrings.com/sit-sc-c6th- ... x4QAvD_BwE

[Joe Major]

Thanks Mark,
I really like the Scotty's too. Excellent strings, and the packaging is the best. Boxed, sealed plastic, and then individual sealed plastic bags for each string. I will never buy John Pearse again because of the packaging. Things rust here, and it's hell to open a new pack of strings and find half of them useless. With the Scotty's, for high G C6 I have to add a lighter gauge 1st string and lose one of the midJoele strings. I wonder if SIT sells individual strings?

[Phillip Vaught]

I use J.D'Addario strings from the maker of my steel, Georgeboards.

[Joe Major]

That's a good idea, Phillip. Here's links for D'Addario single strings. An E13 set W/ 0.064" E on the bottom (like I'm looking for) is about $13 + very reasonable shipping.
https://www.stringsandbeyond.com/dniwoelsist.html
https://www.stringsandbeyond.com/dplstsist.html
Gauges go from 0.007 to 0.080"

[Nic Neufeld]

I generally try to use existing sets (I like SIT sets, definitely) and springboard off them with just a few extra single strings as its a bit cheaper than buying all custom gauges, usually. Ie, your high C6, if you like the SIT ones you've used, most places sell plain steel single strings for less than a buck, just add in the high G and donate the low string to charity . For E13, I would write out the gauges you want, approximately, and then just cross reference existing string sets til you find one that fits, or very nearly fits...thus minimizing how much a la carte string buying you have to do.

[Joe Major]

Thanks Nic. For C6 I'm doing the SIT + 1 idea like you recommend. I buy the single string from an online big box for about $2/dozen. Looks like SIT doesn't make a string between about 0.056 and 0.068 or 0.070," or I'd mix & match low E13 too. I don't see where they sell singles either. Don't mean to beat this dog to death, but I'm sure there's more ideas out there.
Thanks All,
Joe

[Nic Neufeld]

Not sure if they have the half-round ones, but you can get SIT roundwounds in those sizes here:
http://www.juststrings.com/powerwoundsi ... rings.html

[Jim Peter]

You can always try Elderly Instruments.

https://www.elderly.com/catalogsearch/r ... +8-strings