The Steel Guitar Forum

I am using D'Addario's EXP 42 series strings on my reso. When I first put them on they sound beautiful and full of life and sustain.
The next day they are dead and have to be changed. I really love the sound of the string but need to find a solution to this problem. Has anyone else had this same problem, and did you find a solution? Thanks
Randy.

Do you really meant the next day, or is that a figure of speech? The only clue I might have, not seeing your instrument, is that the grooves in the nut might be too deep and the strings are "buried" in the grooves. You know that strings should just sit on top of the groove, otherwise, the sustain is dampened by being "clamped" in the grooves.
I've never heard of any strings (as a set) going bad after a short time, although in my 58 years of playing, I think I might have come across two bad strings, probably in 1952 or so!!!!! Geo

Further to George's idea, If you've switched from a different brand, perhaps the string slots are drastically different in size as to cause problems, and your saddle should be re-filed. Also, how acidic is your sweat? I have a friend who plays my reso's, and his sweat is so bad, he kills a set in just under an hour - yikes! This doesn't sound like the problem, though.

if you dont put at least 3 winds on tuning key windings can separate, especially bronze wounds. Bronze strings and steel bar = quick wear, nickle or stainless wound are better, maybe try rajah or bronze or glass bar???

JMHO,
CF<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Chuck Fisher on 04 May 2005 at 01:18 PM.]</p></FONT>

Yup guys. You got it. That's why I was asking if Randy literally meant the "next day"! Geo.

The guitar is 6 months old and is made by Tim Scheerhorn. It came with these strings on it and when they are new the sound is awesome. i have tried stainless and nickel strings but they don't have the warmth on this guitar that the bronze ones do. I guess I will just have to get another job and a powered pegwinder. And yes they go dead overnight. I am thinking acid from perspiration. I just wondered if anyone else uses this series of strings. Thanks for your replies.

Randy

Hi Randy,
I use the D'Addario EXP 42 on my dobro and the EJ18 heavies on my regular scale weissenborn and there great but they do start to pay out after a couple of days. I get them from
http://www.oldtownstrings.com/
in Victoria the pricing is good, about $7 or $8. a set so I just buy lots. I change them out once a month and they sound pretty muddy by that time. Bill