Unfortunately, the prices of most strings have gone sky high the last few years. I remember Dunlop’s reso strings being introduced several years ago and they were a bargain at around $4.00 a pack. They have gotten quite pricey too.

I've played plenty of EJ42's over  the years, and though I lack industry insider expertise, if  I were a betting man I'd put money on that set as being the #1 selling squareneck string. 

I don't use  them much anymore though I have a few more sets in the stash, because I got lucky a couple years ago when a luthier friend decided he prefers them for his guitars over everything else and he sent me a box with a few dozen  sets of other brands (a lot of GHS) that I'll be working my way through for quite a while. 

In the meantime I've used other strings as well and as far as D'Addario, I prefer the nickel bronze - though just recently there has been a lack of availability of that set - which reminds me, I need to contact D'Addario and find out what's going on with that. 

Someone else was asking about the sudden lack of availability of the nickel bronze sets too.

I hadn't noticed, probably because I don't need a set just yet. I broke a string when I was replacing my old spider and cone and had to go to the local guy who had only one set for reso guitar, John Pearse. And he was selling it for $13, that was months ago. Now I'm sitting on two sets of Beard strings, a set of 28s and 29s that I'll be excited to try out on my new build...if I ever finish it. They were $7. Since I'm so new to dobros, I'm still in the trying out stage.

Just so you know Mick - it's pretty well acknowledged among veteran players that on squareneck dobro, they lose their "spark" a lot sooner and die before strings on roundneck guitars and/or flattop guitars. 

Let’s tie this in then to an earlier post regarding with or without a pickup; doesn’t utilizing a pickup let you get by with existing strings a while longer?

As far as strings. Try ‘em all, I say. Cheapest and potentially the most meaningful tone experiment you’ll find.

As far as the best combination of good tone, good longevity, and good price - the GHS Americana CR1600s at $10 is a strong choice IMO.

I never could get EJ42s to last more than 3 hours. Although they do sound great when fresh.

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Originally posted by skydog

Someone else was asking about the sudden lack of availability of the nickel bronze sets too.

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Sad if those are no more. They are top notch.

I liked the EJ42's pretty well until i tried the Straight Up Strings Reso set. For me they have a much better life span and I really do like the sound and playability of them. I usually order them when they are having a sale which makes the price not too bad.

Phil

Skydog,
Regarding your post about pickups and string longevity, I think it depends on what you’re really looking for tone-wise. If you’re playing plugged in most of the time, yes you can get away with strings longer. I don’t think many folks in the audience are going to be able to perceive the tone loss of old/dying strings through a pickup. On the flip side, if you’re playing straight acoustically or through a microphone, I think it would be much easier to tell the strings aren’t fresh.

My quick 0.02¢ on strings - I also used EJ-42s a lot early on in my playing journey. They were great and inexpensive but I moved to trying other brands once I started getting things figured out. My favorites for the longest time, and still my go-to strings when my current favorites are unavailable, are the ones Jamie mentioned - GHS Americana reso strings. Long-lasting and great sounding but also have crept up in price. My favorites these days are the Mapes strings. They also last a long time, sound great and you could build custom sets. Unfortunately, their guitar string department is on break right now for a renovation according to their website. Hoping they’ll be available again soon. I get sets made up for all of my resos, lap steels, and Weissenborn - a one-stop shop!

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Originally posted by psikes

I liked the EJ42's pretty well until i tried the Straight Up Strings Reso set. For me they have a much better life span and I really do like the sound and playability of them. I usually order them when they are having a sale which makes the price not too bad.

Phil

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Are those the ones that Ivan recommends?

I believe they are. For me they can last up to two weeks. One week with heavy playing. I've been using them on my banjo, guitars and dobros for quite a while now.

Phil

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Originally posted by SlimPickins

Skydog,
Regarding your post about pickups and string longevity, I think it depends on what you’re really looking for tone-wise. If you’re playing plugged in most of the time, yes you can get away with strings longer. I don’t think many folks in the audience are going to be able to perceive the tone loss of old/dying strings through a pickup. 
 

Spot on. Lately, with the group I'm in, I'm playing mostly through my JD Aura pedal through an amp and sometimes DI'd out to a PA.  I find I change strings way less than when my dobro(s) are acoustic or mic'd. 

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Originally posted by JC Dobro

As far as strings. Try ‘em all, I say. Cheapest and potentially the most meaningful tone experiment you’ll find.

As far as the best combination of good tone, good longevity, and good price - the GHS Americana CR1600s at $10 is a strong choice IMO.

I never could get EJ42s to last more than 3 hours. Although they do sound great when fresh.

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3 hours?! You could almost set your watch by them?

quote:

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Originally posted by psikes

I liked the EJ42's pretty well until i tried the Straight Up Strings Reso set. For me they have a much better life span and I really do like the sound and playability of them. I usually order them when they are having a sale which makes the price not too bad.

Phil

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I'm signed up for the newsletter but have never received notification of a sale. How frequent are they?

quote:

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Originally posted by skydog

quote:

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Originally posted by JC Dobro

As far as strings. Try ‘em all, I say. Cheapest and potentially the most meaningful tone experiment you’ll find.

As far as the best combination of good tone, good longevity, and good price - the GHS Americana CR1600s at $10 is a strong choice IMO.

I never could get EJ42s to last more than 3 hours. Although they do sound great when fresh.

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3 hours?! You could almost set your watch by them?

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Approximation of course...lol.  I've played 3-hour gigs with a fresh set, and they're shot by the end.

The straight up strings sales are kind of hit and miss. They do have a 6 pack of strings at a better price. I am sold on them and they are the only strings I keep on hand.

quote:

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Originally posted by psikes

The straight up strings sales are kind of hit and miss. They do have a 6 pack of strings at a better price. I am sold on them and they are the only strings I keep on hand.

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These are great strings.  I have a set on my Beard MA-6 right now.  The .0265" third gives some folks pause, but I find it to be perfectly fine.  Although when I do split slants on #1 and #3 strings, I do need to apply pressure a tiny bit differently on the bar to maintain good string contact.  And yes, they last a long time!

I play D'addario XS. I was planning to leave them on for a couple of years at least.

I recently emailed D'Addario and asked about the nickel bronze resonator set. They replied that they are discontinued and won't be coming back. Sad, because one of my guitars really worked well with that set.

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Originally posted by mesmithut

I recently emailed D'Addario and asked about the nickel bronze resonator set. They replied that they are discontinued and won't be coming back. Sad, because one of my guitars really worked well with that set.

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There's one set left on Amazon.

Yes, I tried to buy them but got a weird message saying they couldn’t ship to my location?!

quote:

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Originally posted by mesmithut

I recently emailed D'Addario and asked about the nickel bronze resonator set. They replied that they are discontinued and won't be coming back. Sad, because one of my guitars really worked well with that set.

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I see other Nickel/Bronze sets still available online for standard guitar. Did you get any indication from the email if they are going away as well, or is it just the 16-56 Resophonic set? 

Here's what I asked and their response

Are the NB1656 Resophonic Guitar strings discontinued? And if not, when will they be available again?



Hello,
Thank you for your message.
Sorry for the late reply.

As far as I know they are not coming back.

That's all I know

quote:

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Originally posted by MarkinSonoma

I've played plenty of EJ42's over  the years, and though I lack industry insider expertise, if  I were a betting man I'd put money on that set as being the #1 selling squareneck string. 

I don't use  them much anymore though I have a few more sets in the stash, because I got lucky a couple years ago when a luthier friend decided he prefers them for his guitars over everything else and he sent me a box with a few dozen  sets of other brands (a lot of GHS) that I'll be working my way through for quite a while. 

In the meantime I've used other strings as well and as far as D'Addario, I prefer the nickel bronze - though just recently there has been a lack of availability of that set - which reminds me, I need to contact D'Addario and find out what's going on with that. 

 

https://www.resorevolution.com/product/daddario-nickel-bronze-reso-strings-16-56/