Strings???

Shawn Collins · Post by **Shawn Collins** » 11 Dec 2012 5:57 pm

May I have some opinions on strings? Which ones are better than others? I am a new player and new to SGF. I tried to locate some forum topics on strings and did not really have much luck. Thanks in advance.

Richard Tipple · Post by **Richard Tipple** » 11 Dec 2012 7:05 pm

Shawn, you will get many opinions about strings, here on the forum.

I would hate to say one brand is better than the other,,its a matter of what pleases you the most,
in tone, durability Etc.

Jagwire strings ,seem to be the hot item right now. In my case, Live Steel, strings, are my strings of choice.

George Ls makes a fine set of strings too.

So I would say ,try a few different brands & the ones that please you,,are the ones

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 11 Dec 2012 9:06 pm

Shawn, b0b who runs this Forum sells GHS "Boomers". Buy them from b0b and you will like them I'm sure and you will help support the Forum. GHS is a good brand string. I sell my personalized strings but I don't advertize here to compete with the Forum out of respect.
Jerry

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 12 Dec 2012 6:18 am

when one breaks in the middle of a gig any string will do then lol like the first person said try many out, just remember as a new player after playing a while and you find yourself having to tune at the nylon tuners, thats a big ole red flag
time to change the string"

Shawn Collins · Post by **Shawn Collins** » 12 Dec 2012 2:17 pm

Thanks Gentlemen. I have been playing acoustic 6-string for 20 years so I kind of knew that. I just wanted to start off closer to the top with someone's recommendation. Thanks again.

Shawn Collins · Post by **Shawn Collins** » 12 Dec 2012 2:28 pm

Jagwire, Herby Wallace Stainless looks like a good place to start.

Stan Paxton · Post by **Stan Paxton** » 12 Dec 2012 3:47 pm

Shawn, that's as good a place to start as any, and better than most.

My Opinion Only.

Bobby D. Jones · Post by **Bobby D. Jones** » 12 Dec 2012 4:33 pm

No matter which strings you select. Buy at least 2 sets at once. Every once in a while a string will break for no reason. I would suggest that you buy about 4 individual singles for the 3rd and 5th string. Same gauge and maker as the sets. They can break sometimes in the tuning up for the first time. Just to be safe. Good Luck and welcome to the world of Steel Guitar.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 13 Dec 2012 8:01 pm

I would suggest you do some research in the archives here on the various selections, availability and delivery times, etc.

In the 35 or so years I've been playing pedal steel, I haven't found much difference among the major brands packaged for pedal steel...until recently. Up to that point, I used SIT's, George L.'s, and GHS with pretty good results as well.

Currently though, I find Sid Hudson's Live Steel Strings definitely first rate quality and IMO, a cut above. Great customer service and super fast delivery.

I also echo Bobby's advice. Good Luck.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 14 Dec 2012 2:20 am

to start with, i always try to buy my strings from the Forum - Doin' my bit...

i used Jagwires until they were not available
the Russ Hicks on E9 w: 011.5 on 3 & 038 on 10
John Hughey on C6
i substituted for SITs & then went on to Cobra Coils ( which imo are very good strings)
Cobras are available from Steel Guitar Nashville

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 14 Dec 2012 3:33 am

New strings are a lot better than old ones. The secret is out!

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 14 Dec 2012 4:43 am

CrowBear Schmitt wrote:to start with, i always try to buy my strings from the Forum - Doin' my bit...
i used Jagwires until they were not available
the Russ Hicks on E9 w: 011.5 on 3 & 038 on 10
John Hughey on C6
i substituted for SITs & then went on to Cobra Coils ( which imo are very good strings)
Cobras are available from Steel Guitar Nashville

I'm with you on that one CB - Cobras are excellent for tone and longevity.

Bill Miller · Post by **Bill Miller** » 14 Dec 2012 5:08 am

My vote goes to Live Steel strings. I found Jagwire to be better than any other brand I'd tried up until Live Steel strings became available. Both are excellent but the Live Steels really do set a new benchmark as far as I'm concerned.

Gary Preston · Post by **Gary Preston** » 14 Dec 2012 9:42 pm

Have you ever wondered who actually makes all these '' different '' name brand strings ? You may be surprised !

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 15 Dec 2012 1:14 am

Cobra Coils are not made by a mass producer.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 15 Dec 2012 1:26 am

I just use Ernie Ball strings. I buy them in individual gauges.

I think many so called manufacturers use Ernie Ball strings, and just re-package them with their own brand name.

Since I have 2 identical guitars, with the same pickup, I'm in an ideal position to try different brands and see if any of them actually sound different or better.

Some day.......

Gary Preston · Post by **Gary Preston** » 15 Dec 2012 7:54 pm

Ken Cobra Coils are G.H.S. Thats a fact .

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 16 Dec 2012 2:14 am

Gary Preston wrote:Ken Cobra Coils are G.H.S. Thats a fact .

I may be wrong, but the above statement contradicts what Bobbe told me about how he got into the manufacturing of his strings. GHS were not mentioned at any stage as the materials concerned are far removed from standard string construction.

Gary Preston · Post by **Gary Preston** » 16 Dec 2012 11:23 am

Ken . G.H.S.

Jeff Metz Jr. · Post by **Jeff Metz Jr.** » 16 Dec 2012 3:57 pm

GHS strings are great on a 6 stringer. Never tried them on a steel. I too purchase single strings and they are always colored ball ends. That leads me to believe that they are D'addario? However you spell that.

Gary Preston · Post by **Gary Preston** » 17 Dec 2012 10:24 am

Jeff i am a G.H.S. dealer and also a George L dealer . I sell and use these products at our steel guitar jams . I have been using G.H.S. strings for a long time and they havn't let me down in any way . As you know if you want your name or brand on a package of strings all you have to do is work it out with the manufacturer . Lots of folks do this . G.P.

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 17 Dec 2012 10:29 am

So, how many actual manufacturers are there?

Jim Pitman · Post by **Jim Pitman** » 17 Dec 2012 10:43 am

The only distinction I make is stainless or nickel wound.
Nickel is permeable, Stainless is not. I think nickel sounds better as it works with a magnetic pickup better. I used to run stainless because they held up longer - don't oxidize as easily, but I've switched back to nickel for tone reasons.

Gary Preston · Post by **Gary Preston** » 18 Dec 2012 3:19 pm

Jay the last i heard there were maybe three at most . These were old company's .

Jim I get the best results from the Stainless Strings . They have better tone and last longer . I tried the Nickel strings on one of my steels after using stainless for a long time and my steel was dead . I removed them after a little while . We all know tone is up to each of us and it seems we all hear different ! We all know that everyone has an opinion about guitars , tuning , amps , etc . This will never end it seems . But i suppose this is what makes the world go around huh ?