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Post by zontar on Feb 11, 2021 20:57:08 GMT
Fixed that one autocorrect made a mess of it
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Post by Die Bullen on Feb 11, 2021 21:43:06 GMT
Fixed that one autocorrect made a mess of it Ah ha. I couldn't make heads or tales of what was originally there from autocorrect but wanted to see if I was just dumb and others would understand |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2021 3:57:07 GMT
I started thinking back to when I stopped using a brand and why....Years ago, I started having problems with D'Addario strings. Most of the issues were strings coming unwound at the barrel end, but also an unusual number of bad strings that just wouldn't intonate properly. Reading online, I discovered that D'Addario was being heavily counterfeited by someone unscrupulous in Asia, and I'm assuming that the counterfeits accounted for a large proportion of the failures. Nevertheless, I stopped buying them for a long time and for years, I regarded them with mistrust. I never went back to using them.
I wonder how many string manufacturers have lost a big part of their following because customers became dissatisfied with counterfeits. It seems to me that this could be the kiss of death for a string manufacturer.
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Post by johnreardon on Jun 7, 2021 7:38:09 GMT
I have a Taylor 812CE acoustic and always been a teeny bit dissatisfied with the sound played acoustically. I have tried numerous makes of acoustic type strings, still the same. A week ago I decided to try some electric strings on it so ordered some Ernie Ball 11-48.
They came on Saturday, so changed them. Wow what a sound. The guitar now 'zings'.
I decided to google to see if anybody else used them and found Mr Bonamassa actually uses them on his acoustics. His bottom E is actually 52, but it's essentially the same set. Apparently he has been using them on all his guitars, electric or acoustic. My fingers are not strong enough to use them on electrics so will stick with my 8-38
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Post by Die Bullen on Jun 7, 2021 10:11:05 GMT
I have a Taylor 812CE acoustic and always been a teeny bit dissatisfied with the sound played acoustically. I have tried numerous makes of acoustic type strings, still the same. A week ago I decided to try some electric strings on it so ordered some Ernie Ball 11-48. They came on Saturday, so changed them. Wow what a sound. The guitar now 'zings'. I decided to google to see if anybody else used them and found Mr Bonamassa actually uses them on his acoustics. His bottom E is actually 52, but it's essentially the same set. Apparently he has been using them on all his guitars, electric or acoustic. My fingers are not strong enough to use them on electrics so will stick with my 8-38 That's awesome- it sounds like it has totally breathed new life into the guitar. Did you change gauge too or just brand? |
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Post by johnreardon on Jun 7, 2021 11:20:07 GMT
Not gauge, It was more the fact they’re strings aimed at electric rather than acoustic. I do use Ernie Ball on electrics but tended to use D’addario for acoustic.
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Post by Die Bullen on Jun 8, 2021 0:20:28 GMT
Not gauge, It was more the fact they’re strings aimed at electric rather than acoustic. I do use Ernie Ball on electrics but tended to us D’addario for acoustic. Ah ha, I missed that! |
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Post by highdeaf on Jul 12, 2021 15:15:05 GMT
I think expense keeps me away. I have too many guitars that require restringing. I buy my strings in larger quantities. one nice thing about having multiple guitars is if one needs a string change--play another. On the other hand if you're not careful --they all need a string change at the same time.
Yep, I've done that. Say just before practice and notice the strings are pretty bad. Just grab another guitar. But as you say, you don't want to do this indefinitely. LOL
I don't hear a ton of tone difference in electric strings, one brand to another. So I choose based on reliability and consistency. And availability now.
For the longest time, I was a D'Addario guy. Like spellcaster , I had a few bad batches (maybe counterfeit?) and never went back. Also, I have a very strong dislike for the multi-colored ball ends, especially on a Bigsby. I hate that splash of clashing colors, so easy to see on a standard Bigsby.
So I switched. I used to use DR's on everything (11s for my Gretsch, 10s for everything else). But my guitar tech couldn't get them at a decent price anymore (I buy in bulk). So I ordered a couple times from Strings and Things and just ordered what they had on special. Last time it was GHS, which was cool. I always wanted to try them. I'm still working my way through that order. I like them just fine.
For acoustic, I find some strings suit certain guitars better than others. My Lowden is best with Elixirs, they work fine on my two regular dreads but the Martin 12-fret doesn't seem to like coated strings and prefers 'old tech'. I'm use some Dean Markleys on it right now.
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Post by markr on Oct 23, 2021 14:43:12 GMT
Ernie Ball Slinky in 9 for electrics and D'Addario 12s for acoustic.
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Post by zontar on Oct 23, 2021 22:32:36 GMT
Ernie Ball Slinky in 9 for electrics and D'Addario 12s for acoustic. I've used Super Slinkys before. As for D'Addario there are times that's what I've bought because it was what I could find. |
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Post by infant on Oct 24, 2021 2:47:10 GMT
In a pinch, I’ve even bought the Long and McQuade house brand strings for $5 a pack. I’ve had two L&M sales guys at different stores tell me that they are rebranded Dean Markley strings.
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Post by zontar on Oct 24, 2021 3:02:54 GMT
In a pinch, I’ve even bought the Long and McQuade house brand strings for $5 a pack. I’ve had two L&M sales guys at different stores tell me that they are rebranded Dean Markley strings. Maybe now--but it's been years since I used a store brand--they always seemed to have smaller ball ends and be wound fewer times at the ball end, and they didn't like to be stretched... Maybe that's changed. But I don't remember if i ever tried L&M ones or not. |
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Post by infant on Oct 24, 2021 4:37:35 GMT
I also remember reading on the package that they were made in the USA
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2021 5:35:18 GMT
I haven't had to buy strings for quite a while....partly because I tend to leave strings on longer so they're nicely stretched, but also because I'm not building instruments and needing to add new strings as much anymore.
I recently got a notice from Amazon advertising strings specials and out of curiosity, I looked into them. Their hot deal on Fender 250M nickel-plated medium strings is described as "too low to advertise" but turned out to be 6.49, which, to me, doesn't sound like a screamin' deal. Their special on their house brand Amazon Basics strings is 6.41, the D'Addario ESP ProSteels is 8.89, and Ernie Balls are 9.49. Prices go up from there, into the 12.00 range for Fender Super Bullets, and even higher for other brands.
Not sure if I'm just not keeping up with prices, but this sounds like a hell of a lot of money for what I'd consider fairly average quality strings. I always assumed that Amazon was pretty sharp on their prices for many things, but I doubt I'd go there expecting any kind of deal on musical items.
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Post by Die Bullen on Oct 24, 2021 13:08:34 GMT
I haven't had to buy strings for quite a while....partly because I tend to leave strings on longer so they're nicely stretched, but also because I'm not building instruments and needing to add new strings as much anymore. I recently got a notice from Amazon advertising strings specials and out of curiosity, I looked into them. Their hot deal on Fender 250M nickel-plated medium strings is described as "too low to advertise" but turned out to be 6.49, which, to me, doesn't sound like a screamin' deal. Their special on their house brand Amazon Basics strings is 6.41, the D'Addario ESP ProSteels is 8.89, and Ernie Balls are 9.49. Prices go up from there, into the 12.00 range for Fender Super Bullets, and even higher for other brands. Not sure if I'm just not keeping up with prices, but this sounds like a hell of a lot of money for what I'd consider fairly average quality strings. I always assumed that Amazon was pretty sharp on their prices for many things, but I doubt I'd go there expecting any kind of deal on musical items. As they say, "that was then, this is now". Amazon was the best for price for years but nowadays that isn't necessarily true. A few years ago they quietly stopped price matching. |
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Post by infant on Oct 24, 2021 15:37:04 GMT
I check around for pricing. There are some things on Amazon that are much more expensive than a local retailer. Then some things can be cheaper. The Velcro that I just bought was about $5 cheaper than Canadian Tire and Home Depot. I just had to wait a day for it. I’m looking at drop in replacement locking tuners for my new PRS and the PRS ones on Amazon are $140 while other shops have them for $130. I actually found a store in Mississauga that has them for $95.
As I’ve stated elsewhere, I usually buy in bulk or if I see a sale, I pick up a few sets. I think I’ve got about 4 or 5 sets each of D’addario 10s and 11s for my electrics and 2 or 3 sets of D’addario lights for my acoustics. The L&M store brand that I bought were just to change the strings on my PRS for the time being as I plan on restringing once I put the lockers on it.
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Post by Die Bullen on Oct 24, 2021 16:18:30 GMT
I check around for pricing. There are some things on Amazon that are much more expensive than a local retailer. Then some things can be cheaper. The Velcro that I just bought was about $5 cheaper than Canadian Tire and Home Depot. I just had to wait a day for it. I’m looking at drop in replacement locking tuners for my new PRS and the PRS ones on Amazon are $140 while other shops have them for $130. I actually found a store in Mississauga that has them for $95. As I’ve stated elsewhere, I usually buy in bulk or if I see a sale, I pick up a few sets. I think I’ve got about 4 or 5 sets each of D’addario 10s and 11s for my electrics and 2 or 3 sets of D’addario lights for my acoustics. The L&M store brand that I bought were just to change the strings on my PRS for the time being as I plan on restringing once I put the lockers on it. Sales are key for me because Thomastk strings i use are like $30 when full price. If I see them at $25 I buy a couple, at $20 I buy a lot |
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Post by laristotle on Oct 24, 2021 17:23:22 GMT
Dean Markley Blue Steel
Elixir
For bass, I use flatwounds. So whatever brand the store has in stock is what I tend to use.
Recently bought a new set of LaBella and two Fender's (half price) off of a friend that switched to short scale and sold all of his long scale basses.
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Post by zontar on Oct 25, 2021 0:43:17 GMT
Dean Markley Blue Steel Elixir For bass, I use flatwounds. So whatever brand the store has in stock is what I tend to use. Recently bought a new set of LaBella and two Fender's (half price) off of a friend that switched to short scale and sold all of his long scale basses. With a short scale basset was often whatever the store had in stock. Most of the tie that was--as I mentioned before- D'Addario |
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bzrkrage
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Post by bzrkrage on Oct 25, 2021 17:08:27 GMT
I'm giving the Gibson from Best Buy a try, $4.99 a set, will see how they go.
I'm usually an EB Super Slinky guy.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2021 19:35:23 GMT
I'm giving the Gibson from Best Buy a try, $4.99 a set, will see how they go. I'm usually an EB Super Slinky guy. I suspect you'll like the Gibson strings. I've been using Gibson Brite Wires on everything for years and have had good success with them. |
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Post by Sgt Rock on Oct 25, 2021 23:02:33 GMT
I'm giving the Gibson from Best Buy a try, $4.99 a set, will see how they go. I'm usually an EB Super Slinky guy. is your Best Buy still selling musical stuff ? all of the Best Buy's around me stop selling musical stuff a few years ago. I used to buy things from them all of the time. |
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Post by infant on Oct 26, 2021 0:18:21 GMT
I'm giving the Gibson from Best Buy a try, $4.99 a set, will see how they go. I'm usually an EB Super Slinky guy. is your Best Buy still selling musical stuff ? all of the Best Buy's around me stop selling musical stuff a few years ago. I used to buy things from them all of the time. I was in Best Buy a few weeks ago up here in Canada and I saw that they had a sparse connection of strings but they no longer had guitars. |
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Post by Die Bullen on Oct 26, 2021 0:48:32 GMT
is your Best Buy still selling musical stuff ? all of the Best Buy's around me stop selling musical stuff a few years ago. I used to buy things from them all of the time. I was in Best Buy a few weeks ago up here in Canada and I saw that they had a sparse connection of strings but they no longer had guitars. I don't know about up there but the best buy guitars here are about as good as the guitars at Costco... |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2021 5:13:58 GMT
Best Buy locally doesn't carry much in instruments anymore. When I first discovered them, about 2 1/2 years ago, they had guitars....a couple of cheaper acoustics, and their electrics tended to be Squier Srats and Tele's and Gibson Maestro's. The Maestro model they normally stocked looked like a single-cut Les Paul Jr. with an LPJ pickguard and one close-to-the-bridge humbucker. They never did any setup...as a matter of fact, I think many of them had never been tuned....It was almost as if a stock-boy had unpacked them and put them out on display without any play-time. I never had a lot of regard for the Maestro's, and the ones I looked at in the store felt cheap and primitive. Strangely enough, when they were selling off the last of their guitars, a player I knew (that had previously own a Gibson 335) bought the last Maestro LPJ for 80.00, had it professionally set-up and tweaked by a good guitar tech, and my buddy said it played as well as any of his Gibson's had. I used to buy my Gibson Brite Wires there. Best Buy was about 2.00-3.00 cheaper per set than the local music store. Unfortunately, I don't think Best Buy even sells strings at this point.
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Post by infant on Oct 26, 2021 13:02:24 GMT
I was in Best Buy a few weeks ago up here in Canada and I saw that they had a sparse connection of strings but they no longer had guitars. I don't know about up there but the best but guitars here are about as good as the guitars at Costco... Up until 4 or 5 yrs ago, they had low end Gibsons andFenders as well as Squiers and Epiphones. When I bought my Melody Maker, Best Buy had it $100 cheaper than L&M. So I went to L&M, showed them the ad and they matched the price. Nowadays, they sell very cheap, no name instruments. However, they still had some Ernie Ball and Gibson guitar strings on the racks |
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Post by highdeaf on Oct 26, 2021 13:25:06 GMT
LOL I was in BB just a week ago ---- to buy a vacuum cleaner. Didn't even think of looking for MI while I was there, it was so useless the last couple of times I looked (before the big C19).
But I did get in on that on-line 'US-made SG Prototype for $400' deal a few years ago. Got a nice burst that ended up being a decent guitar, once I spent a few days tweaking it and letting it settle (setup out of the box was pretty bad). If you had to pay someone to do that, the deal just got worse. But I still have it and it scratches my 'SG' and 'P90' itches. Plus, it's got a nice 50s neck and the finish is so thin it is relic'ing nicely. At $400, I don't baby it like I do my LP's or Tele's, let alone my more fragile 335 or Gretsch.
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Post by zontar on Oct 28, 2021 1:01:02 GMT
I haven't been in a Best Buy for ages.
Last time thy had a large selection of Epis & Squiers and cheap amps
Although I remember one time seeing some GHS strings--the same set, same gauge, same strings in two different packaging & a definite difference in price.
and they were not he website that was as well...
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Post by george on Dec 8, 2021 3:10:58 GMT
Ordered some DR Dragon Skin 11-50 coated Ph Brz to try on my resonator; never used them before.
I put a National humbucker pickup on it and tried EB 11s nickle wound but they don't sound good and the unwound G string is too loud. I was using Elixir 11s Ph Brz before the pickup and they were Ok but the action is a little high so he DRs are lighter should be a bit easier to play. I don't want to mess with the biscuit to lower the action but if I had some sandpaper I probably would; mostly it's just that I don't want to go into a shop to buy sandpaper or anything else for that matter.
Hopefully the wound G on the DRs will tame that pig of a pickup right good.
Also ordered some 500k pots, telecaster knobs, a capacitor and some wire along with a nice philips TR adjustment tool for my Broadcaster.
Gonna rifle some holes into the reso and put tone and vol pots on it.
I spilled Goop Off into the reso guitar when I was cleaning some glue residue off it from the double sided tape for the pickup - now the guitar not only sounds like a tin can stuffed with oily rags it smells like one too. Reminds me of old gas in a lawn mower and a biscuit resonator is kinda related to a lawn mower in the same way that a banjo is related to a chain saw.
Although at least the chain saw and the lawn mower have on/off switches.
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Post by Die Bullen on Dec 8, 2021 10:51:25 GMT
Ordered some DR Dragon Skin 11-50 coated Ph Brz to try on my resonator; never used them before. I put a National humbucker pickup on it and tried EB 11s nickle wound but they don't sound good and the unwound G string is too loud. I was using Elixir 11s Ph Brz before the pickup and they were Ok but the action is a little high so he DRs are lighter should be a bit easier to play. I don't want to mess with the biscuit to lower the action but if I had some sandpaper I probably would; mostly it's just that I don't want to go into a shop to buy sandpaper or anything else for that matter. Hopefully the wound G on the DRs will tame that pig of a pickup right good. Also ordered some 500k pots, telecaster knobs, a capacitor and some wire along with a nice philips TR adjustment tool for my Broadcaster. Gonna rifle some holes into the reso and put tone and vol pots on it. I spilled Goop Off into the reso guitar when I was cleaning some glue residue off it from the double sided tape for the pickup - now the guitar not only sounds like a tin can stuffed with oily rags it smells like one too. Reminds me of old gas in a lawn mower and a biscuit resonator is kinda related to a lawn mower in the same way that a banjo is related to a chain saw. Although at least the chain saw and the lawn mower have on/off switches.  |
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