All strings really the same?

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 16 May 2005 1:54 am

There are a lot of comments on how Brand X or Brand Y is far superior to all other brands of strings - and there are hundreds of brands out there.

I've heard from several sources that all strings in the world come from just a handful of factories, no matter what the labels say.

I can't say that I've noticed more than minor differences in 30+ years of changing strings regularly on half a dozen instruments - acoustic guitars, steels, electric guitars, basses, mandolins etc.

So - are there REALLY any significant differences, or is it mainly exaggerated hype and/or supersticion?

What do you all think? And does anyone know which factories make which brands?
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´75 Emmons p/p D10 8+4, '96 Emmons Legrande II D10 8+5, ´76 Sho-Bud Pro III Custom SD10 4+5, Peavey Nashville 1000

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 16 May 2005 2:05 am

There are differences, in metal composition, grades of strings (quality), etc.

I wrote a string article for the PSGA "several" years ago. At the time there were only 3 companies that actually made strings that I could confirm. There may be more now as I haven't kept up with it as close as I did when I was researching information for the article.

Although there are differences in the grades and quality of the open strings, the wound strings seem to have more differences/options. Obviously there is a difference between Nickel and Stainless Steel wound strings. But it even goes further into the core on a SS string. Some use "round" wire for the core, others such as George L's use something other than round.

[This message was edited by Jack Stoner on 16 May 2005 at 03:06 AM.]

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 17 May 2005 3:28 am

To be honest with you I hadn't really noticed that much of a difference in the strings I had used over the years until I tried a set of Frenchy's Steel Mill strings. I noticed a big difference with those. I think most any brand are ok if you keep them changed regularly. Just my opinion!

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 17 May 2005 4:37 am

No difference? Try Jagwire

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Jerry Heath · Post by **Jerry Heath** » 21 May 2005 12:05 pm

I'm with Glenn here.... Jagwire strings are far better than any string I've every used. They keep their tone longer and the 3rd string last much longer than any others.

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Jerry Heath
Sierra Sessions U-12
Nashville 400
Sessions 400
Profex II

jerry harkins · Post by **jerry harkins** » 21 May 2005 9:04 pm

Jagwire is the cats MEOW.

Jerry.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 22 May 2005 12:36 am

Since 1st tried Jagwires I don't want to use others.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 22 May 2005 2:47 am

Per, looks like this has veered off to "whats my favorite brand of string" rather than the question of technical differences in strings.

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 22 May 2005 5:15 am

Well, I kind of expected that. Just maybe not so soon.

To add to the deviation myself, I can report that I installed a set of Jagwires a couple of weeks ago, no big difference so far...
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´75 Emmons p/p D10 8+4, '96 Emmons Legrande II D10 8+5, ´76 Sho-Bud Pro III Custom SD10 4+5, Peavey Nashville 1000

Walter Hamlin · Post by **Walter Hamlin** » 22 May 2005 7:09 am

Years ago, while in Nashville, I heard a very famous steel player say that he used the cheapest strings he could get or whatever anyone gave him.
I have tried all kinds over the years and I can't tell any difference.I'm not an expert either.
I buy strings in bulk, by size, unpackaged [but in a plastic sleeve], by the dozen at a really low price, from Musicians Friend.
You have to ask for them because they are not advertised in their catalog.
I have always heard that only three companies make strings.
I do not think anyone could tell the difference in any of the strings by listening to them.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 22 May 2005 9:29 am

Most brands don't offer a .0115 like Jagwire. It's a really good string for the high G# on a pedal steel.

The string packager specifies alloys, size of core vs. windings, etc. when ordering from the string factory. Those specifications are the primary differences between brands of strings. There may only be 3 musical string factories in the world, but those factories produce a variety of different strings per spec from the string packaging companies.

That's how I understand it, anyway. I think that Steel Mills and Jagwires are the best for us because they have been spec'd from the ground up for pedal steel.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Williams D-12 E9, C6add9, Sierra Olympic S-12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop S-8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6 or A6)

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 22 May 2005 10:44 am

packager specifies alloys, size of core vs. windings

This is no small set of specs.
it is at the heart of each strings particular characteristics.

I have tried a few different strings on the Bud, my non imperical evidence is :
The Ricky Davis Sho-Bud sets work better for my Pro-II than ALL other strings I have tried.

They last longer, and the tone with Truetones is clearer.

Can't I tell you the propriatary alloy used, no,
nor the core size or if wrapping wire is a different alloy than core wire.

But I do know I have better luck with them, and for me that's what matters.
Below the tech specs.

And yeah that .115 is great.
[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 22 May 2005 at 01:44 PM.]

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 22 May 2005 2:32 pm

I believe there are differences in strings; but remember, when you change strings on your instrument, you are changing old strings for new and of course the major difference in sound is going to come from the fact that they are new.

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 22 May 2005 9:53 pm

Rick, I believe the proverbial nail has just been served a major blow to its head!
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´75 Emmons p/p D10 8+4, '96 Emmons Legrande II D10 8+5, ´76 Sho-Bud Pro III Custom SD10 4+5, Peavey Nashville 1000
[This message was edited by Per Berner on 22 May 2005 at 10:54 PM.]

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 23 May 2005 2:54 am

One only has to look at the ball end wrap and length of the wrap to see there is a difference.

If you are using Electric Guitar strings gauged .011 or .017 as replacemments for the 3rd and 5th string..you are asking for touble..you are playing with fire...

You have not discovered the BIG unknown secret...

One of my customers makes the Corn Syrup for the three largest and most recognizable COLA manufatureers in the world....yes, all three major suppliers of "COLA" .

BUT, although I cannot reveal the specs and associated quality charts, (Ethics and condidentiality) the three of them DO NOT use the same grade of Corn Syrup even though it comes from the same supplier.

Just because a few vendors may make all the strings, that really means nothing at the end of the day because they make them to client specs, not there own specs repackaged..

Oh.. and one more thing, every new string is not a good string..there are some duds..the sooner we all learn this the better off some of us will be..sometimes it's the brand new 50 cent string causing all the grief on the $4000 Instrument.

this string thing will never end..

see ya in a month or so...

t[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 23 May 2005 at 04:06 AM.]

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 23 May 2005 2:58 am

I believe my ears can tell a difference in strings. I have tried several different brand names down through the years. Right now for my Emmons LeGrande III, the SIT strings sound better to me. I even tried the Jagwires and I am sure they are great strings but for my ears the SIT strings sound better on my rig.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 23 May 2005 3:29 am

I seem to recall that the tensile load on a 0.011 string at key is something around 100,000 pounds/square inch. At that stress level it's amazing anything works. (In one web page that I can't right now find, the tensile load on a .004 string for a mandolin at key is somewhere around 380,000 PSI.)
Steel players should wear safety glasses.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 23 May 2005 5:21 am

Ray, now that is funny !

A few weeks back during warm up before our first set, a friend was kneeling just to my left as I was tuning and noodling..then BANG ! CRACKLE SNAP !!! The 5th string (.017) let loose it's fury ! It missed his head by milli-inches like a whip ! "HE" should have had the safety glasses !

But as usual in these instances, the string packet did not come with any generic safety warning label from the Surgeon General.

t

Michael Garnett · Post by **Michael Garnett** » 23 May 2005 12:11 pm

A Bent string is a Spent String.

Whatever happened to that thread anyway?

-MG