Strings

Kristen Bruno · Post by **Kristen Bruno** » 15 Aug 2023 6:42 am

Almost time to restring 8 string lap steel in C6 tuning.
Tuning low to high A C E G A C E G
I think the last time I put strings on it I didn't have a set so I hunted down individual "spares" I had accumulated to to make a set.

Any recommendations on where to buy a few sets?
Or
Do you order individual sets by their gage size?

Any particular brands for quality and tone?

Thanks
K

Frank James Pracher · Post by **Frank James Pracher** » 15 Aug 2023 6:55 am

I just make up my own sets with single strings I get from Strings by Mail.
I generally use the gauges recommended on John Ely's page.

https://www.hawaiiansteel.com/learning/gauges.php

https://www.stringsbymail.com/

Stephen Cowell · Post by **Stephen Cowell** » 15 Aug 2023 7:36 am

If you have a local music store they will probably have pedal steel C6 sets... these are good for this, as well as just about any other tuning you might need. You will have extras... but it should be cheaper than singles. Otherwise, just order sets. 12-string guitar sets are also helpful... and you can get them in bronze for your 8-string acoustics.

Every steel guitarist should have these tools:
needlenose pliers
dyke wire cutters
winder crank (or bit for power screwdriver)
cheap digital calipers

The calipers (optional) are for finding out what gauges you have right now. Take the battery out if you want it to be useable the next time... they never really turn off unless you buy the expensive ones.

Duane Becker · Post by **Duane Becker** » 15 Aug 2023 7:48 am

I also used John Ely's page to get the gauges, if I remember correctly, that's where I got the recommended gauges for my tunings, C13 and B11 (Jules Ah See), and those gauges worked great. As for purchasing strings, I've been getting my sets of strings from juststrings.com
You can get singles as well as sets, probably have to get a set of singles if you have particular gauges.
I wish I could tell you whether or not the strings from juststring.com sound good, but I never do like the sound of my own playing; but they do have several different string companies that you can choose from.

Joe Cook · Post by **Joe Cook** » 15 Aug 2023 8:16 am

I recommend buying them right here on The Steel Guitar Forum Store. I like to support this forum that means a lot to me. I dont have a music store near by so it's very convenient for me as well.

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 15 Aug 2023 8:37 am

Michael Miller · Post by **Michael Miller** » 15 Aug 2023 1:27 pm

A good source of sets for a wide variety of lap steel tunings:

https://www.stringsbymail.com/other-gui ... itar-3027/

Mike Bonnice · Post by **Mike Bonnice** » 17 Aug 2023 11:42 am

I use the same tuning (ACEGACEG) and also B-C#-F#-D#-A-C#-E-G#. I get Ernie Ball singles from stringsandbeyond.com. Same strings for both tunings:

46W-40W-30W-24P-22P-18P-15P-13P.

I buy six of each, then after a few months when I need more I can reorder the same off of a previous order.

Jim Fogarty · Post by **Jim Fogarty** » 17 Aug 2023 4:26 pm

I use these, made for Cindy Cashdollar, from John Pearse.

https://www.steelguitarshopper.com/john ... tring-set/

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 17 Aug 2023 6:30 pm

SIT Silencers are half wound. Smoother and quieter for the bar. They come prepackaged for non pedal steel in C6, A6, E13 and E7. I get them here and they ship very quickly:

https://aliensandstrangersmusic.com/sea ... +non-pedal

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 18 Aug 2023 4:37 am

Where to buy? JustStrings.com

Sets or individual? Individual (bulk by the dozen)

https://juststrings.com/plain-steel-gui ... ngs-1.html

https://juststrings.com/nickel-guitar-b ... ngs-1.html

Mike Christensen · Post by **Mike Christensen** » 21 Aug 2023 5:26 am

I get mine here. Quick mailing and helps our forum. I use the SIT sets.

Strings - Where to Buy? - Sets or Individual?

Strings - Where to Buy? - Sets or Individual?

Single strings