Strings

Tony Edwards · Post by **Tony Edwards** » 21 Mar 2023 6:56 am

To all E-9 pedal steel players:

What do you all consider "the best" pedal steel guitar E-9 strings? (Sound, Tone, breakage factor, gauge, playability, etc.?) I'll go first. Even though he is no longer in business, I consider Frenchy's Steel Mill Strings the winner for me. I also like D'Addario strings. Just curious as to what brand you like the best? I might just try them!

Tony

Justin Emmert · Post by **Justin Emmert** » 21 Mar 2023 7:16 am

Daddarrio NYXL are my go to's.

Duane Becker · Post by **Duane Becker** » 21 Mar 2023 7:35 am

For the last 20 years or so, I've been using SIT the Buddy Emmons sets. For the E9th, those have an .011 instead of .010 on the 3rd string, .018p on the 5th and .038 on the 10th. I find this to help out to thicken the sound on my metal neck Emmons push pull.

I've tried other brands over time, and as far as the tone, to my untrained, old fashioned country western ear, I really can't tell the difference. However, with the SIT brand, I don't have strings breaking anymore. None have sounded off, nor do they go out of tune. Once I put the strings on, step on each of the pedals several times, re tune, do the same engaging all the knee levers and retuning, the strings stay constant. But I also change strings often as well.

BTW, juststrings.com is my go to source for main brand strings at affordable prices. I walked into Guitar Center the other day in Spokane Washington, and they had on the self d'Addario set of E9 pedal steel strings for $18.89, not sure and I don't keep up with prices, but I thought that was really high.

Dave Meis · Post by **Dave Meis** » 21 Mar 2023 2:02 pm

GHS PF 500 pure nickel rollerwound (sort of semi- flat) is what I’ve been using for years. Real happy with the sound, longevity, and price from Just Strings.

Johnny Baker · Post by **Johnny Baker** » 21 Mar 2023 6:28 pm

Thanks for the info guys, it's about time to change out my strings on my Simmons. I have already been shopping but can use all the ideas I can get.

Steve Mueller · Post by **Steve Mueller** » 21 Mar 2023 8:43 pm

NYXL and Stringjoy are both excellent. Heads above other brands I've used.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 22 Mar 2023 2:11 am

I used George L's for 35 years. I now use SIT.

Cody Stewart · Post by **Cody Stewart** » 22 Mar 2023 9:58 am

GHS Boomers. Consistent Tone, no breakage. 6 weeks of playing everyday for 2hrs before they start to dull.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 25 Mar 2023 9:52 am

There are very few string brands that make their own strings. Most of the small specialty-instrument brands are private labels made by Darco, D'Addario other "big name brands" and string makers you've never heard of with no retail label; VERY few "draw" wire from steel stock, buy all the wire in bulk and only do the winding...

It's kind of silly paying premium prices for a small, specialty brand set that's actually made by Ernie Ball, D'Addario, GHS etc.

If you buy sets any pure nickel wrap (the warmest steel sets), nickel wound (nickel plated steel) (somewhat brighter), or stainless steel (REALLY bright) strings from a major brand will be about the same and the lowest price...

I buy strings in bulk because I do tech work, so I buy gages/types in bulk. Like the guys mentioned above I really like ground wounds and rollerwounds, which both have a warm sound, nice, smooth feel, and last longer than standard roundwound strings; and at times I'll load up flatwounds. Even though they are stainless they are warm sounding with a smooth top end and last longer than any other string.

All these comments only apply to wound strings - plain steel strings are plain steel wire, and they are all the same except for the color and/or twist style of the ball end!

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 25 Mar 2023 11:01 am

JAGWIRE!! For me for the last 20 years at least.
Ricky

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 25 Mar 2023 1:06 pm

Samuel Phillippe · Post by **Samuel Phillippe** » 25 Mar 2023 3:16 pm

GHS Boomers for me on all my guitars except my Martin.

Sam

Charlie Hansen · Post by **Charlie Hansen** » 26 Mar 2023 6:01 am

SIT Power Wound here.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 26 Mar 2023 8:08 am

Live Steel Strings have been my choice for many years. I've tried the rest, but to me, they are the best. Jagwires are a close second.

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 26 Mar 2023 9:18 am

D'Addario NYXL's by far the best I have ever used. Perfect strings for my Pearse T. C. bars, great tone, in my opinion, and I have not broken a string since I started using them a while back.

I am a PSG tech., not a pro player so I leave strings on my own guitars until they go dead and then some. They last a long time!

All guitars I work on go out of here with a set of them and I get great feedback!

That said, I went to Buddy's house one day back in the 80's to pick up an EMCI guitar and I popped this same question to him, his reply was, "Free ones", and he did not appear to be kidding.

True story.