The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi all,

I just got a black Emmons Legrande SKH (from another forum member-big thanks to Ron Whitworth) and I thought I'd ask the community about favorite string sets-I'm still a novice, so I guess I'm looking for a good all-around string set? Also, any thoughts on stainless steel vs. nickel? Thanks!

Jamey I guess I dont have to tell you
you got a wonderfull steel guitar in the emmons skh
they are my fav all pull in the emmons line
ive had several SKHs and I used sits
strings/jags/and george-ls/ they all worked great
the short key head emmons seldom ever breaks
strings you will love that I use the nickel
they most all have great tone and play great
keep your nut rollers oiled but dont get it on the strings just the rollers/oil changer
if you need help or have more questions email
me ill be glad to help you any way I can

mike

Hi Mike,

I was tuning the guitar recently and had a few questions. Is there an order you usually go in for tuning/string changing? When you tune, do you always hold down the A and B pedals to compensate for cabinet drop, and it seems like some of the nylon nuts tighten clockwise and some tighten counterclockwise? Is that right or did I just try tuning when I was out of it after I'd had a long day at work(heh)?

Thanks,
Jamey

Hi Jamey,
I always use Emmons strings on both my SKH and the LeGrande.
I always use nickel. Stainless have a brighter sound, and they will
wear groves in your changer fingers quicker than nickel strings do.
When I change strings, I always start with #10 and work up to #1.
When tuning strings #4 & #8, I tune them with the A and B pedals
down on the SKH, but don't have to do that on the LeGrande III.
When I tune, I start at 10 & work up to 1. Hope that helps a little.

Carl "Lucky" Kilmer

Jamey
The nylon tuners all tighten in a clockwise direction and loosen in a counterclockwise direction. Tightening the nylon nuts will increase the effect of the pedal/lever (raise or lower, regardless), and backing off the nylon will decrease the effect of the pedal/lever

Stainless steel wound strings have a brighter sound than nickel wound. The plain strings are all steel, regardless.

Any steel guitar string set will be fine on your guitar, it's strictly a matter of your preference. Jagwire strings and GeorgeL strings seem to be the most popular nowadays, GHS and SIT strings are also fairly common.

Personally, I've used GeorgeL strings for many years.
YMMV.

I've owned three SKH guitars in the past, currently own a long keyhead LeGrande. Also a Sho~Bud, but my most-used guitars professionally are push-pull Emmons Originals.

What Herb says.
You have bought yourself a fine guitar and it should play like a dream with whatever strings you put on it.
I go between S.I.T, George L's, GHS, Jagwires, and i can't really notice any difference between brands. I try to stick to the same gauges though.
I use mostly stainless and i like it, but i have had some nickel and i liked them too.

Keep in mind that going between wound and plain (6th) string will require some re-rodding since there is more travel needed for a wound string.

Jamey,
I happen to have the LeGrande SKH & I put on Buddie Emmons SIT sets--E9 & C6--they have always worked really well. I've been using these strings for years & I like them very much. Buddie(my all-time hero), figured out what guages worked best for him. It seems for years I struggled to find out what gauges to use--mainly on the E9. Local steel players & the big time steel players would always comment on what gauges were best to use. I finally said, "The heck with it" & settled on the SIT strings. It really comes down to a personal preference thing. I know that I used just about all the brands available, too. Also, the stainless strings are BRIGHTER, & I used them for a while, until I think I found out that Buddie used the nickel. I've been using the nickel for years & believe me, I just don't concern myself anymore about the stainless strings. By the way, don't forget that you have control on your amp settings, as far as more or less brightness!

I've been using the Jagwire Tommy White Nickel strings, and haven't broken a string in about three years. They sound just fine. I'm very happy with them.
John