tgrassdash - Posted - 11/18/2009:  06:07:31

Hey all,

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere... but is there a final word on reso strings.. ? i've been using the D'addario and considering the Elixir's... is it worth it... ?

Thanks for any help..

David

sonicbids.com/truegrass

Trapper - Posted - 11/18/2009:  09:58:28

Have tried a lot of them but still get back to my EJ42's :)

"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid!"
John Wayne, American

miktavus - Posted - 11/18/2009:  10:33:27

Without wishing to be TOO controversial, there is no particular mystique about resonator strings as far as I am aware. They are just particular gauges of acoustic guitar strings suited to the tuning and tension, and US made ones all allegedly originate from a very small number of factories.

Because I bought half a dozen sets of Vinci phosphor bronze mediums (set 814 .013/.017/.026/.035/.045/.057) at a good price for my regular guitar but have not used all of them I simply bought a plain .016 & .018 to substitute the top two strings. Sounds great and I know these strings keep their sound. Even with buying the two plains it worked out cheaper than buying a specific reso set (here in England).

I respectfully suggest that the premium that is charged for Reso sets over ordinary guitar strings could be a bit of salesmanship.

Mike



Mike Tavener
York, UK

"Twang"

crh1 - Posted - 11/18/2009:  13:30:30

I have tried several different types and brands of strings.
On my old Dobro I actually like the strings that were made by Dobro. (Bluegrass Gauge) Its a round neck set up as a square neck since 1978. Recently switch to Beard 29s.
On my Goldtone it came with the 29s and I like sound but the EJ 42s have a little more punch.
And My MA 6 came with EJ 42s and I am not even thinking of changing.
I guess you need to try different ones till you find something close to what you are looking for.
IMHO you can only get what the instrument has to offer. Any change in strings will make a change in the end.

Edited by - crh1 on 11/18/2009 13:32:30

DaveInAL - Posted - 11/18/2009:  16:11:23

I buy the bulk Martin strings from String This. I order their medium PB acoustic guitar set but substitute a .018 for the .013. This gives me .017, .018, .026, .035, .045, and .056.

Dave

benspinks - Posted - 11/19/2009:  12:43:05

Ditto on the Martin strings. I've used J42's, GHS 1650's and Newtones, but the best for me were the Martin SP's. I bought the PB Bluegrass set and just subbed the top strings for a 0.016 and .018. Second best for me were the Newtones, with the only downside being the price.

Ben

Dean Upson - Posted - 11/19/2009:  12:46:51

I like the Martin SPs. I get them from Eric at AMT. He buys them in bulk and puts the up the SP sets.

El Dobro - Posted - 11/19/2009:  17:54:42

All you can do is try them and see if you like them. The J-42's have been working for me for something like 28 years.

dwood1611 - Posted - 11/19/2009:  22:07:13

I have tried several from John Pearse to Martin as well as Elixirs. The EJ 42s are best in my opinion which is not worth very much.

Brad Bechtel - Posted - 11/20/2009:  09:01:54

There will never be a "final word" on resonator guitar strings. Always experiment, always be open to change. I use whatever strings are available (currently Paul Beard 29s, usually D'Addario EJ-42s). I still sound like me no matter what I do.

El Dobro - Posted - 11/20/2009:  17:59:58

Interesting, I always sound like someone else, but I don't know who.

drummer6pc - Posted - 11/22/2009:  08:40:58

I did try elixirs and i found that compared to regular dobro bluegrass strings, Elixirs aren't as bright sounding but they do last a very long time.

DougB - Posted - 11/23/2009:  11:01:44

Recently switched to Beard 29s which has helped with my heavy handed playing style but still use EJ42s on the Weissenborn and the 74 OMI Dobro. Its all very subjective to the individual player and you'll have to find your way. That might also change with your playing as you progress as it did for me. As for the duration of string life I can kill em all without to much effort so I just change em sooner as well as record the date of each change so I can keep myself straight as some guitars are played much more than others. Hope that helps. Pickngrin, D.

kelfranken - Posted - 12/03/2009:  08:17:46

I was recently given a set of D'Addario EXP42's and I've been very pleasantly surprised by the volume, tone and longevity. This set has outlasted my regular D'Addario EJ-42s significantly. I'll try them again, and they might become my "final word" strings.

tgrassdash - Posted - 12/04/2009:  05:28:44

This is obviously a topic that is near and dear to a lot of our hearts... Thanks so much for the feedback in answer to the question. I have a lot of food for thought before I buy my next set of strings.

Cheers,

David

tgrassdash - Posted - 12/04/2009:  05:30:19

This is obviously a topic that is near and dear to a lot of our hearts... Thanks so much for the feedback in answer to the question. I have a lot of food for thought before I buy my next set of strings.

Cheers,

David

dobrocop1 - Posted - 12/13/2009:  05:37:55

if standard strings go dull quickly then you will like the elixir for the long life and constant great tone,.