DBChimer - Posted - 11/14/2019:  11:27:56

Over the years on this forum I've read where the need to change dobro strings waffled all over the place.



From Oswald saying, "I only change strings when one breaks" to another who says, "I have to change strings every eight hours of play",



Which one is closer to the truth? Probably both. Seems to me the answer lies somewhere in the realm of "in the mind and ear of the beholder".



In my case I'm afraid I'm closer to Oswald's string changing rational and here's why.



First, I can't for the life of me believe any string manufacturer would design and make strings that would only last for only eight hours no matter how hard they were played.



Second, for me it takes about eight hours of playing time for my strings to be properly "seasoned", that they are correctly stretched and seated in the bridge and nut slots and will hold their tune.



Third. I get the impression that the frequent string changers sometimes do it because they want to impress other players with the length, strength, frequency and dexterity of their play for their need to change strings so often.



Fourth, I realize that the hearing ability of each person is not the same. Some can hear like a bat, others to varying lesser degrees. All are factors that come into play that may help spark the thought that a string change is necessary or unnecessary.



But again, I do not fall into this frequent string changing category.



If this idea of early string decadence was so true then why wouldn't pedal steel players be compelled to change their strings as often in the light of more stress being put on their strings due to the pull, push and lower to achieve tone changes?



Can you imagine a pedal steel player changing out twenty strings on his D-10 after only eight hours of play or a mando player changing eight strings that often? They'd never get anything else done.



But I feel certain one thing is clear here, string manufacturers don't want to discourage this perception. Why would they when they're already laughing all the way to the bank.



Another pet peeve is changing out dobro cones due to vibration stress. To my knowledge, Oswald never changed out the lug cone in over 50 years of playing Herman, his model 27 roundneck, and it sounds as good today as it did in yesteryear.



But that's a subject for another topic here on the forum.

Edited by - DBChimer on 11/14/2019 11:33:42

docslyd - Posted - 11/14/2019:  11:32:03

...depends upon the vintage/modern/lively/subdued sound that you're after. I like my old car even though the carb runs rich and stinks to high heaven. That vintage vibe is what I prefer.....(in that case).

daver - Posted - 11/14/2019:  13:32:27

Fact:  strings get dirty, oxidize and wear out just from playing. They're made out of metal, which deforms, fatigues, and wears out with use. I've seen my 3rd G string under a microscope and it truly gets deformed after being hit continuously with a hard pick. I've also seen that tiny fibers from the cleaning cloth, along with all manner of finger gook, remain in the string windings even after cleaning.  There are some players who, based on body chemistry ("acid sweat") will kill a set of strings in 5 minutes.  Strings will have one "sound" when new, and a sound that progresses over time to lose brightness, volume, and even accuracy. At least we don't get fret dents in the bottom of strings like guitar players do. Oh wait, we get bar dents in the low position after hammers and pulloffs...

IMO, electric instruments have a little more tolerance to string aging, as there is typically not much out of a guitar speaker above 6 or 8 kHz, and the resonant peak is about 1 to 2 kHz depending on the pickup.  Most of the "zing" of new strings is above that, and there's more electronics to compensate.  Even Jerry Douglas said, after going all Aura all the time, he doesn't change strings as often.



Though it's fully documented that there was a collusion to make incandescent light bulbs wear out prematurely to increase replacement sales, I don't think that's what's going on with the string industry (I could be wrong).  Rather, I see the string industry evolving into making strings more long lasting.  I do hope they keep laughing all the way to the bank.  If strings are a profitable commodity, they will keep being made, and I won't have to try to make my own!



So, what do you want your sound to be?  Fresh, bright, mellow, rounded, flat, vintage, etc.?

I have a friend who is an awesome flatpicker. I tried his guitar and the strings were deader than doornails. I suggested he change the strings; he said it records better this way.



My first acoustic guitar was an Ovation, it sounded really good to me with fresh phosphor bronze strings, and nothing else. I got to used to changing strings every week. Then I went to college and no longer had string funds. That was a time of adjustment...

Right now, I lean more Oswald in my string changing, for no other reason than I've gotten lazy.  When I do a gig and I don't find the reso picking up in the mic like I remember, I change them.  That's just me.  YMMV as always.

2BUCKS - Posted - 11/14/2019:  13:59:32

I like you DB, but I'm only giving you 4 stars on this rant because you only came up with 4 bullet points. Ive heard you do better. But if you'll allow me to Chimein; I usually change strings when I hear a tonal change in the strings.  Usually the 3rd or 4th string loses some of its brightness after a couple/few months so I'll change the set and clean the guitar real good while I'm at it. It makes me feel good to treat my instruments with respect and make them sound as good as possible. The time varies between string changes but I'm not sure exactly why. I guess I'd say I have a firm attack but wouldn't say it was aggressive compared to other pickers I've played with. Oh, and I never changed strings or played to try to impress anyone. I'm usually either practicing alone or trying to play up to the level of the people I'm playing with. Keep the rants coming brother. Take care.

DBChimer - Posted - 11/14/2019:  17:50:27

I like you too Steve. I like your logic as well as your heady responses on topics and posts that tickle your fancy.  Please keep them coming.



This topic from me is not as much a rant...its more like an "I've just gotta' get this finally off my chest" kinda' thing.

Edited by - DBChimer on 11/14/2019 17:55:47

DBChimer - Posted - 11/14/2019:  18:29:03

BTW Steve...great last name for living in Colorado this time of year. Always enjoyed skiing during Colorado "winters" when I lived in Chicago.

Hope you have a great ski season this year























a

thebowl - Posted - 11/15/2019:  08:11:57

I am pretty certain that different folks have different body chemistry that dramatically affects the corrosion of metal guitar strings. Not to disagree that preference plays a large role, only to make the point that there are apples and oranges involved.

DBChimer - Posted - 11/15/2019:  08:49:34

I think this body perspiration thing related to prematurely decaying string sound and response might be a bit overstated.



My reason? Simple. If you diligently take the time to wipe down your strings after each play session, you lessen the chances of  premature string decay by neutralizing any deposited perspiration or body oil.



I use a quality micro-fiber cloth to do this and it works just fine. The cloth works just as well  clean ing the coverplate, tailpiece and fits easily under the strings to clean dust from the fretboard, headstock and coverplate under the strings.



Sometimes a warm, moist terry wash cloth helps remove more stubborn spots before using a dry micro-fiber cloth to finish the job.

I'm not a big fan of using any chemical based cleaners on any of my guitars.  For me, simpler is much better.

Edited by - DBChimer on 11/15/2019 09:03:09

AradoReso - Posted - 11/15/2019:  12:46:01

Hello,

The time to change is when retuning strings is too frequent. Or when the bridge inserts need to be changed out. Wood deteriorates over time.

Andy B - Posted - 11/15/2019:  17:27:34

I find that the third string G goes dead first, often while the other strings still have plenty of tone. By dead I mean it loses all resonance and starts to thud when I pick it. This lack of resonance is sometimes accompanied by a high pitched buzz as the G string winding begins to unravel. If I am playing a gig with fresh strings the G will often be dead after 1-2 sets. I pick pretty hard and I have not found a phosphor bronze round wound third string G, plain or coated, that holds up very well.

Edited by - Andy B on 11/15/2019 17:29:30

DBChimer - Posted - 11/15/2019:  19:33:01

For some reason I have yet to fathom, I feel like a failure.

Failure in the sense that I've never experienced having my third string in open G tuning to be the first on my dobro to go south. Somehow, I've never become a member of the "third string decay club".

I get pretty good volume out of my dobro and pick it fairly hard but not to the excess that some have stated here. All my dobro strings seem to age at the same pace top to bottom.

Can I put my finger on the reason why? Not really. Doesn't seem to matter what brands I use either. Over the years I've tried pretty much every brand from Just Strings to Black Diamonds, all last about the same.

Sometimes I get the impression that I'm either just plain lucky or I've got Oswalds' ghost
perched on my shoulder.

little ray - Posted - 11/15/2019:  22:52:12

When they sound bad to the players ears he might want to change them. The plain ones get changed the most in my world. When I was working, the strings needed changing more often. I’ve seen the time when after one show the plain strings looked rusty.

AK Slider - Posted - 11/18/2019:  14:17:07

If your goal is to play like and achieve Oswald’s tone then use a nice prewar dobro with nickel strings and never change them. If you lean more towards Jerry Douglas’ tone with AKUS Live At Louisville then play a modern dobro like a Scheerhorn w phosphor bronze strings and change them often. When my strings go dead after 6-10 hrs of hard playing the thuddiness is just awful and a string change is such a relief. DB, if I had to admit you are right that frequent string changes are a hoax I’d probably have to quit playing!

DBChimer - Posted - 11/18/2019:  16:16:32

Maybe the reason I have difficulty in relating to the ultra string changing frequency you and others subscribe to is because I've never experienced my strings going dead in such a short playing time.

As stated previously, I don't baby my dobros when I play them, then again I might not be attacking the strings as hard as some of you do.

I'm gonna' have to stay with my original premise. It's borne from 11 years of personal experience and that makes it difficult for me to think otherwise.

AK Slider - Posted - 11/18/2019:  17:03:51

That's fine DB. I'm sure it saves you some money and time as well. I guess one man's "seasoned" is another's "dead as a doornail".

Oboe Cadobro - Posted - 11/19/2019:  11:05:50

My Beard E model has a fat sound and needs new EJ42 strings every week, or the new Nickel Bronze strings every other week, to project in a jam and feel its best.

My Wechter Scheerhorn has a brighter sound, so it takes about 6 hours of playing time for the harshness to settle down, then I like how they sound for a couple weeks after that. With that guitar, I notice the feel changes before the sound goes bad.

With my 1930's Oahu acoustic parlor-sized squareneck, I prefer newer strings to get as much projection out of it as possible.

DBChimer - Posted - 11/19/2019:  12:21:56

Man alive... the only responses I've gotten to this topic so far are from the quick-string-change aficianados, some others are on the border of agreeing but never really come out and say so.



Isn't there another soul out there that shares my view?



I can't believe every dobro picker on the planet changes their strings every 7 to 10 days!  If there's just ONE other dissenter out there...let me hear from 'ya! 



 

Edited by - DBChimer on 11/19/2019 12:32:50

docslyd - Posted - 11/19/2019:  12:31:40

If you're waiting for someone on hear to convince you that you should hear a difference, that you don't hear, or see a value in frequent string changes, that you don't see.....it probably ain't gonna happen....

Edited by - docslyd on 11/19/2019 12:32:07

DBChimer - Posted - 11/19/2019:  12:38:42

True statement Eric...but I still think I'm not in the bottom 10% minority.

AK Slider - Posted - 11/19/2019:  12:39:26

William, I don’t change near as often just playing at home for practice or fun. But gigs and especially loud jamming uses them up much faster. Plus the PB strings are not as durable as the nickel or stainless some folks use. I’m firmly in the Oswald camp of string replacement on my pedal and straight steel guitars. They just keep sounding fine until they break. Partly because they are nickel and steel, mainly because I don’t pick nearly as hard.

otbreso - Posted - 11/19/2019:  13:56:25

I change them when they need it which is often. I'll kill off a set of EJ-42 strings in an hour or two. I don't think it's so much that I am picking hard as it is my poor technique. EXP-42s last a lot longer as do the DR and Dunlop strings. I seem to get surprising mileage out of the Dunlop strings. I can't stand it when they are dull and lifeless

docslyd - Posted - 11/19/2019:  16:39:51

I only change my unwound strings when they get too much cheese residue on them......they're in my cheese slicer...

Biggfoot44 - Posted - 11/21/2019:  09:54:55

When * I * can't hear my own playing in a group setting , I change my strings .



And each time I do , I am struck by how much better it sounds , and wish I'd replaced sooner .

  Added - But that's just me . If you're happy with your string regime , then I'm happy for you , and you should stick with what you're doing .

Edited by - Biggfoot44 on 11/21/2019 09:58:10

Al - Posted - 12/18/2019:  11:40:56

As a person new to the dobro (but not new to guitars) I want to understand why people don't use nickel/steel strings on resonators rather than phosphor bronze? I had a friend who back in the 70s would look up old blues players, hang out with them and maybe get a lesson or two. He told me that he never saw anything but nickel strings on their resonator guitars, never bronze. I guess Brother Oswald did the same.

If it is true that most of the tone of a dobro is from the resonator cone and not the body of the guitar, it seems that PB strings wouldn't be necessary?

Oboe Cadobro - Posted - 12/18/2019:  12:10:28

quote:

---

Originally posted by Al

As a person new to the dobro (but not new to guitars) I want to understand why people don't use nickel/steel strings on resonators rather than phosphor bronze? If it is true that most of the tone of a dobro is from the resonator cone and not the body of the guitar, it seems that PB strings wouldn't be necessary?

---

Here's an idea: why don't you put nickel strings on your reso and tell us why you like it better than PB.

DaveInAL - Posted - 12/18/2019:  12:17:28

quote:

---

Originally posted by Al

As a person new to the dobro (but not new to guitars) I want to understand why people don't use nickel/steel strings on resonators rather than phosphor bronze? I had a friend who back in the 70s would look up old blues players, hang out with them and maybe get a lesson or two. He told me that he never saw anything but nickel strings on their resonator guitars, never bronze. I guess Brother Oswald did the same.



If it is true that most of the tone of a dobro is from the resonator cone and not the body of the guitar, it seems that PB strings wouldn't be necessary?

---

Use of nickel/steel strings by older players may be heavily influenced by availability and/or cost.

Do all types of strings sound the same on your acoustic guitars?

I use PB strings on my resonators because I like the sound of them much better than nickel/steel strings. Only if I were using a magnetic pickup (which I don't)  would I use nickel/steel strings. YMMV.

Dragonslayer - Posted - 12/18/2019:  12:32:01

I don't ever change strings till one breaks, and then I replace it if possible with a used one of the same basic gauge (sometimes from a different instrument) when I take strings off, I save them, even broken ones from long instruments if they break at the headstock I save them for short instruments.... I'm kind of depression era that way... but strings are hard to get here, and I have been without my electric guitar for some time because I hadn't a replacement for a broke string, so there's a reason for my caution.

Al - Posted - 12/18/2019:  12:51:36

quote:

---

Originally posted by Oboe Cadobro

quote:

---

Originally posted by Al

As a person new to the dobro (but not new to guitars) I want to understand why people don't use nickel/steel strings on resonators rather than phosphor bronze? If it is true that most of the tone of a dobro is from the resonator cone and not the body of the guitar, it seems that PB strings wouldn't be necessary?

---

Here's an idea: why don't you put nickel strings on your reso and tell us why you like it better than PB.

---

Changing strings isn't my idea of a good time. It would be easier and less costly for me if people could answer my question with some helpful information, thanks.

Al - Posted - 12/18/2019:  12:55:19

quote:

---

Originally posted by DaveInAL

quote:

---

Originally posted by Al

As a person new to the dobro (but not new to guitars) I want to understand why people don't use nickel/steel strings on resonators rather than phosphor bronze? I had a friend who back in the 70s would look up old blues players, hang out with them and maybe get a lesson or two. He told me that he never saw anything but nickel strings on their resonator guitars, never bronze. I guess Brother Oswald did the same.



If it is true that most of the tone of a dobro is from the resonator cone and not the body of the guitar, it seems that PB strings wouldn't be necessary?

---

Use of nickel/steel strings by older players may be heavily influenced by availability and/or cost.

Do all types of strings sound the same on your acoustic guitars?

I use PB strings on my resonators because I like the sound of them much better than nickel/steel strings. Only if I were using a magnetic pickup (which I don't)  would I use nickel/steel strings. YMMV.

---

Well my point is that a resonator guitar is not like an acoustic guitar, in that the body and top do not provide the amplification of the strings, it is the cone, isn't that right?  Are the PB strings brighter, livelier, louder?

Oboe Cadobro - Posted - 12/18/2019:  13:14:22

 

---

Originally posted by Al

Changing strings isn't my idea of a good time. It would be easier and less costly for me if people could answer my question with some helpful information, thanks.

---

As a person new to the dobro...I want to understand 

Best way to understand is to spend 5 bucks and 10 minutes...everybody else here did exactly that when they were a newbie...I tried 15 different sets of strings before I made my own decison.

DaveInAL - Posted - 12/18/2019:  13:24:04

quote:

---

Originally posted by Al

quote:

---

Originally posted by DaveInAL

quote:

---

Originally posted by Al

As a person new to the dobro (but not new to guitars) I want to understand why people don't use nickel/steel strings on resonators rather than phosphor bronze? I had a friend who back in the 70s would look up old blues players, hang out with them and maybe get a lesson or two. He told me that he never saw anything but nickel strings on their resonator guitars, never bronze. I guess Brother Oswald did the same.



If it is true that most of the tone of a dobro is from the resonator cone and not the body of the guitar, it seems that PB strings wouldn't be necessary?

---

Use of nickel/steel strings by older players may be heavily influenced by availability and/or cost.

Do all types of strings sound the same on your acoustic guitars?

I use PB strings on my resonators because I like the sound of them much better than nickel/steel strings. Only if I were using a magnetic pickup (which I don't)  would I use nickel/steel strings. YMMV.

---

Well my point is that a resonator guitar is not like an acoustic guitar, in that the body and top do not provide the amplification of the strings, it is the cone, isn't that right?  Are the PB strings brighter, livelier, louder?

 

---

The sound we hear from both instruments is the result of a number of different variables, strings being only one,  I like the sound of PB strings on my instruments, played with my picks, my picking style, etc. It's the sound I want to hear. Run the experiment as Dane suggests.

SMenasco - Posted - 12/18/2019:  14:14:37

I love the sound of new phosphor bronze strings. However, someone suggested that for a great tone, try nickel bronze. So I bought a set of D'Addario 16-56 and, to my ear, they sounded so much clearer, superior tone, more bell-like. I play fairly often and pretty hard. I think the nickel bronze lasted about three times as long as the phosphor bronze. NB cost about twelve bucks a set.

Dobby - Posted - 12/18/2019:  15:49:24

As a seasoned professional and semi pro, Electric, Classical, and Acoustic player, I find on those instruments, the Classical by far, needs changing a lot. like every week even more. But then again I did a lot of playing. Next for me the e-git, with all the string bending etc. The acoustic, about once a month. but for me, Ideally about every two weeks, although it usually ends up being once a month. but I hear a huge difference when I change them after a month of playing. They go dead very fast with lots of playing.
When I have an instrument I am doing 8 hours of practice a day, sometime more...so it doesn't take long. I know pro's who change their strings every night for the gig. I think its all preference, and what your willing to tolerate, playing time/practice etc. there is no right or wrong to me.

Dobby - Posted - 12/18/2019:  15:55:16

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dragonslayer

I don't ever change strings till one breaks, and then I replace it if possible with a used one of the same basic gauge (sometimes from a different instrument) when I take strings off, I save them, even broken ones from long instruments if they break at the headstock I save them for short instruments.... I'm kind of depression era that way... but strings are hard to get here, and I have been without my electric guitar for some time because I hadn't a replacement for a broke string, so there's a reason for my caution.

Gunnar, send me your address I'll mail you some e-git strings no charge or if you need them you can have all my practically new reso strings? They are 16 gauge. right now i have a bundle of them that I wound up into a 5" ring big enough to throttle a horse , and hung off my car mirror. Let me know. 

resotom - Posted - 12/18/2019:  16:16:57

I use Curt Mangan 'Monel' nickel/bronze on all my five resonator guitars. (16/56)..my second choice would be Black Diamond 'Ferrel Stowe' . I have been playing resos for 66 years and a producer/player for 27 years with a good ear for sound. My two cents worth. Check out my 'blogs' and photos on my home page.

otdobro - Posted - 12/18/2019:  16:55:39

Phosphor bronze are brighter and louder when new than nickel. After they have settled in, there's not that much difference.
Nickel wound aren't as bright sounding, but keep their sound
pretty much for the life of the strings. When they don't stay in tune up the neck, it's time to change them. YMMV.

Dobby - Posted - 12/19/2019:  06:00:33

quote:

---

Originally posted by otdobro

Phosphor bronze are brighter and louder when new than nickel. After they have settled in, there's not that much difference.

Nickel wound aren't as bright sounding, but keep their sound

pretty much for the life of the strings. When they don't stay in tune up the neck, it's time to change them. YMMV.

---

otdobro by the time PB strings sound like nickel its time to replace them, of course, thats my preference. I Love PB brightnesses and loudness. I remember the difference in power, clarity and brightness the first time I used them. Because i use a lot of different tunings (FACFCF, DGDGBE, D B G G D G    E G# B G# B E , C tuning, G tuning, D Tuning etc. and some others) I kept breaking strings. Tuning up and down puts a lot of stress on strings and fatigues them.  Thus, I developed "string tuning anxiety" at every gig.

 I often would replace my strings with whatever was available on the spot, and  for me at least there was no comparison between PB and NB. I found that PB makes less noise too on a slide vibrato. especially coated ones. On a side note: changing strings on a reso...worst ever experience ever in changing guitar strings. takes me a long time to do a set. Side note 2: usually, the top B and D strings will last way longer than the others, unless I break them. SO buying a new set I always still replace those, even if i don't have to. which brings up, the fact that its cheaper to buy a new set, here at least, than buying four PB strings.  

DaveInAL - Posted - 12/19/2019:  06:43:38

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dobby

quote:

---

otdobro by the time PB strings sound like nickel its time to replace them, of course, thats my preference.

I was thinking the same thing!

Dragonslayer - Posted - 12/20/2019:  00:30:20

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dobby

Gunnar, send me your address I'll mail you some e-git strings no charge or if you need them you can have all my practically new reso strings? They are 16 gauge. right now i have a bundle of them that I wound up into a 5" ring big enough to throttle a horse , and hung off my car mirror. Let me know. 

---

 

---

I sent you a PM

Dobby - Posted - 12/20/2019:  03:14:57

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dragonslayer

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dobby

Gunnar, send me your address I'll mail you some e-git strings no charge or if you need them you can have all my practically new reso strings? They are 16 gauge. right now i have a bundle of them that I wound up into a 5" ring big enough to throttle a horse , and hung off my car mirror. Let me know. 

---

 

---

I sent you a PM

Dragonslayer  yes I got it.thx.  I'll send you some strings after c-mas. Its a busy time right now. lots of traveling. 

have a great happy holidays.

Doug

---

Dragonslayer - Posted - 12/20/2019:  03:59:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dobby

Dragonslayer  yes I got it.thx.  I'll send you some strings after c-mas. Its a busy time right now. lots of traveling. 

have a great happy holidays.

Doug

Awesome thanks! You have a merry Christmas too!

Al - Posted - 01/15/2020:  15:22:02

I tried a set of John Pearse nickel strings -- so far a I like them a lot. We'll see how long they last.

little ray - Posted - 01/15/2020:  22:12:54

When they get played a bunch they may need changing more often. The plain seem to go sooner than the wound. Changing tunnings can cause them to go sooner also. Since I'm a stay and play at home no body now, the strings last and last.

LukeL - Posted - 02/20/2020:  04:38:34

Just saw this thread. For me frequency of change depends on the type of string I use, and where I’m playing. When I’m going to play at home for a while, I’ll put on a set of John Pearse Nickel strings. Those last a long time for me (usually almost a month.)

If we have a gig or festival, I’ll change them very frequently, sometimes before every set. My preferred sound is the Beard Special 29’s, although I like any phosphor bronze string’s sound. Those only last a couple hours for me though.

Luke