JC Dobro - Posted - 07/02/2024:  05:35:51

I sometimes use the obligatory string change session for a cheap tone experiment, working in different string brands.



Fellow Dobro player tipped me off on the Stringjoy Resonator gauge 1656 Phosphor Bronze set. Stringjoy markets these toward round neck reso players in low-bass G tuning.  They also, unfortunately, code named these as "NB1656", even though they are NOT nickel-bronze.  (D'addario has a NB1656 set that Is nickel-bronze...so don't let that confuse...)



stringjoy.com/guitarstrings/st...or-16-56/

Really impressed with these strings on my Beard MA6 square neck.  Outstanding PB tone, and so far have about a week and 15 hours of playing with no degradation.  (For comparison, an EJ42 set will only last me 3 hrs before frying out).

These are a premium Nashville-made brand at $14.90, with 10% discount for packages of 6.

Only odd feature is a .034 4th.  (I'd prefer a .035, but not too noticeable).

If anyone has tried these, do share your thoughts.

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 07/02/2024:  10:56:15

I have heard good things about them. They have become all the rage in the Facebook Dobroholics group. I may get around to trying them one of these days, but I have too many packs of other strings I need to go through first. 

JC Dobro - Posted - 07/02/2024:  18:47:48

quote:

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Originally posted by MarkinSonoma

I have heard good things about them. They have become all the rage in the Facebook Dobroholics group. I may get around to trying them one of these days, but I have too many packs of other strings I need to go through first. 

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Interesting, I think my "tipster" probably got wise to the Stringjoys on the FB group.  Surprised there is not more cross-chatter to this forum.  Anyhow, these are really good strings IMO, nice combination of tone and longevity in phosphor-bronze.  Stringjoy is missing an opportunity to market these to square neck players...again, IMO.

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 07/02/2024:  21:33:40

One thing Stringjoy is doing along with a 10% discount on your first order if you buy direct from their website, is for every dollar spent on their strings up to I believe July 23rd,  you will get one entry into a contest to win a $3200 Gretsch White Penguin with Bigsby. I think I will order a few sets just to get in on the raffle! 



Ivan Rosenberg became sort of the pied piper several months ago for the Stringjoy dobro strings in the Dobroholics group, and being a pro player and teacher people paid attention - I think that's where some of the the "inertia" was. 

And as you know, there are members here who don't "do Facebook" and conversely there are players on Facebook who don't visit Resohangout, so it apparently keeps "cross pollination" to a minimum. 

Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 07/02/2024 21:34:27

BrianMac - Posted - 07/03/2024:  07:48:23

Thanks for the tip, Jamie. I’ll give them a try. It’s only $3 more a set than the D’Addario nickel bronze sets I’m currently using.

The dobro habit is still way less cost than smoking cigarettes or paying for tv programming, and much healthier for you, too!

JC Dobro - Posted - 07/03/2024:  08:01:57

quote:

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Originally posted by BrianMac

Thanks for the tip, Jamie. I’ll give them a try. It’s only $3 more a set than the D’Addario nickel bronze sets I’m currently using.



The dobro habit is still way less cost than smoking cigarettes or paying for tv programming, and much healthier for you, too!

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Sure thing, YMMV and all that...lol.

I really like the D'addario nickel-bronze as well.  Those things last forever.  I have noticed though, that phosphor bronze amplifies through my Fishman N'ville Pickup / JD Aura rig better than nickel bronze.  Just a smoother amplified tone, less high end harshness.

So far, the Stringjoys are the best phosphor bronze set I've found.  GHS Americana series is good also IMO, but I'm enjoying the slightly lighter gauges on the Stringjoys.

It is nice to have healthy choices!

BrianMac - Posted - 07/03/2024:  09:27:18

quote:

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Originally posted by JC Dobro

...I have noticed though, that phosphor bronze amplifies through my Fishman N'ville Pickup / JD Aura rig better than nickel bronze.  Just a smoother amplified tone, less high end harshness....

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That is very interesting, because right as I was typing my post, I had the thought that perhaps the nickel bronze strings were the reason that my dobro has been sounding harsh when amplified as of late. I use the Nashville PU/JD Aura combo and it's not a particularly pleasing tone with NB. I've been playing more lately in an amplified combo setting and continued using NB, which I had started using a couple years back for their volume and longevity in bluegrass jams.

JC Dobro - Posted - 07/03/2024:  11:55:40

quote:

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Originally posted by BrianMac

quote:

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Originally posted by JC Dobro

...I have noticed though, that phosphor bronze amplifies through my Fishman N'ville Pickup / JD Aura rig better than nickel bronze.  Just a smoother amplified tone, less high end harshness....

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That is very interesting, because right as I was typing my post, I had the thought that perhaps the nickel bronze strings were the reason that my dobro has been sounding harsh when amplified as of late. I use the Nashville PU/JD Aura combo and it's not a particularly pleasing tone with NB. I've been playing more lately in an amplified combo setting and continued using NB, which I had started using a couple years back for their volume and longevity in bluegrass jams.

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Yeah, to me it is a noticeable difference between NB and PB when amplified through the JD rig.

While there are many variables, here are the steps I took to tame amplified harshness.

1) use phosphor bronze strings

2) use brass fingerpicks

3) find a warmer / mellower JD Aura setting.  (For me, #10 did the trick).

4) EQ to taste after doing all that.

At one time I also used Andy Hall's trick, which is to use a tube pre in the signal chain to mellow things out.  I scored a $20 used ART Tube Pre for that purpose.  However, I found that the aforementioned steps 1-4 made that unnecessary.

So yeah, now I'm using D'addario NB1656s on my un-amplified jam reso, but PBs on the go-to amplified gig axe.

Good luck!

JC Dobro - Posted - 07/13/2024:  08:21:28

Going on about 3 weeks with the Stringjoys, including a 3 hour gig in moderately high humidity. There’s perhaps a slight loss in overall volume/sustain, so I’ll change them.

In my case it’s a uniformly gradual degradation of the set, NOT a flame-out of the #3 string (as has been my normal experience with Phosphor Bronze strings).

YMMV.

These are now my go-to set in PB.