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Post by surfguy13 on Jan 17, 2015 11:25:30 GMT
Morning all Right, after gawd knows how many years of using D'addario EJ16s I thought it might be time for a change. I use Thomastics on electrics and there is nothing like them but £16+ for their acoustic strings is a little more than I'd like to spend although I'm sure they'd be superb. I have always found EJ16s to be pretty damn good and have, inevitably, tried other brands but always seem to have gone back to Dads for quality, long life, price and availability. I have two 12-fret guitars.....a hand made 0 by Chris Perkins which is cherry/spruce and a Collings 001Mh (all mahogany). I normally use 12-54s on them both. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for alternative string options and also outlets in the UK? Many thanks..... Guy
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Post by earwighoney on Jan 17, 2015 12:07:53 GMT
Newtone PB's are a popular choice here. They don't last as long as D'addarios but I prefer them immensely.
I'd recommend the 80/20 for the Collings though.
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Post by surfguy13 on Jan 17, 2015 12:19:52 GMT
That's really good to know, I've never tried Newtone. Is it any specific Newtone, as there seem to be several different options, or just any Newtone PB?
It's strange you should suggest Bronze for the Collings. I've always used PB but I was wondering whether to get a set of Bronze and give them a whirl. The PB work well on the Perkins and compliment the cherry back and sides but I guess Bronze might have the edge for an all mahogany acoustic.
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brianr2
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Post by brianr2 on Jan 17, 2015 12:28:31 GMT
I'm also a fan if Newtones, having been introduced to them by ocarolan. I use the Masterclass PB 12-52 on my short-scale Fylde. The Heritage strings have been recommended by vikingblues, amongst others, for anyone with arthritis or similar problems. Brian
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Post by ocarolan on Jan 17, 2015 12:39:17 GMT
Did I just hear the N-word....? I use Masterclass PB 12-54 a lot, but have have been quite taken recently with the Heritage Low Tension 13-55, which as well as having less tension than their normal 13 sets, have a lovely even tension feel string to string - not immediately too apparent, but which is quite noticable on returning to non-Heritage sets. surfguy13 - you asked for suitable places to obtain strings, Guy - I use Strings Direct and Fretsounds www.stringsdirect.co.uk/www.fretsounds.co.uk/- unfailingly prompt and excellent service from both places. Fretsounds is particularly friendly, and the bossman, Steve, is a great guy and grand player. Keith
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Post by vikingblues on Jan 17, 2015 12:58:27 GMT
As Brian so rightly mentions I have become rather keen on Newtone Heritage strings. Primarily in the way that their lower tension (round core v hex) helps my fingers and joints (which are a bit arthritic). Recommended by Gordon Giltrap as a "God Send" for the "less muscular player". Also I quite like the idea of supporting a small UK manufacturer that does hand made strings. But as a bonus I really have fallen for the sound too. I also like the feel of the strings as a set in that the tension is evenly spread over the 6 strings - usually the 3rd and 4th are a lot higher, which I do find affects barre chords. On the string tension a typical set of Acoustic Guitar 12s is likely to be around 150-165 lbs in total and Newtone Heritage clock in at 131 lbs. The Heritage 13s are around the same tension as ordinary 13s so you have an option of the same sort of tension but thicker gauges for tone. They are not coated so they won't last as long but they don't have that more rounded tone that coated can have. It's a bit more difficult to describe the sound, as I've put them on three different acoustic guitars now, and they've affected the sound on each in a different way. There's a few of my playing attempts linked in the Plucky Duck will maybe give a general idea of sounds. So difficult to know what strings will work best for a particular guitar though - one set can be great on one and lousy on another. Good luck in the search. Mark
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Post by surfguy13 on Jan 17, 2015 13:40:30 GMT
Did I just hear the N-word....? I use Masterclass PB 12-54 a lot, but have have been quite taken recently with the Heritage Low Tension 13-55, which as well as having less tension than their normal 13 sets, have a lovely even tension feel string to string - not immediately too apparent, but which is quite noticable on returning to non-Heritage sets. surfguy13 - you asked for suitable places to obtain strings, Guy - I use Strings Direct and Fretsounds www.stringsdirect.co.uk/www.fretsounds.co.uk/- unfailingly prompt and excellent service from both places. Fretsounds is particularly friendly, and the bossman, Steve, is a great guy and grand player. Keith Many thanks Keith, very much appreciate the recommendation re the Masterclass 12-54 and also most interested to learn about the Low Tension strings. I've just had a look on the Newtone strings web page and it looks as if they only do the Low Tension in a PB and not Bronze which is a shame. I might just try them though as they sound intriguing! I like the idea that I can use a 13-56 but have the string tension of a 12-54.....I think this might work well with a 12-fret. The tip re Fretsounds is also much appreciated.....just checked out the web page and shall order what I buy from them.
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Post by surfguy13 on Jan 17, 2015 13:47:53 GMT
As Brian so rightly mentions I have become rather keen on Newtone Heritage strings. Primarily in the way that their lower tension (round core v hex) helps my fingers and joints (which are a bit arthritic). Recommended by Gordon Giltrap as a "God Send" for the "less muscular player". Also I quite like the idea of supporting a small UK manufacturer that does hand made strings. But as a bonus I really have fallen for the sound too. I also like the feel of the strings as a set in that the tension is evenly spread over the 6 strings - usually the 3rd and 4th are a lot higher, which I do find affects barre chords. On the string tension a typical set of Acoustic Guitar 12s is likely to be around 150-165 lbs in total and Newtone Heritage clock in at 131 lbs. The Heritage 13s are around the same tension as ordinary 13s so you have an option of the same sort of tension but thicker gauges for tone. They are not coated so they won't last as long but they don't have that more rounded tone that coated can have. It's a bit more difficult to describe the sound, as I've put them on three different acoustic guitars now, and they've affected the sound on each in a different way. There's a few of my playing attempts linked in the Plucky Duck will maybe give a general idea of sounds. So difficult to know what strings will work best for a particular guitar though - one set can be great on one and lousy on another. Good luck in the search. Mark Hi Mark, thanks very much indeed for your input (an also thanks to Brian!) and it's encouraging to know that you have also had similar experiences as Keith with these strings. It really does appeal to me to be able to go up a gauge and not loose the playability. I only use 12-frets and my experience with gauges heavier than 12s is that the sound quality is much improved but the compromise with playability is considerable. Maybe slightly different with a 14-fret, I don't know. I have never got on with coated strings so I'm glad to hear that they are 'standard' non-coated. I find that I tend to loose reference points when playing with coated strings. I reckon I'll get a set for each guitar and see how I get on.....will report back!
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Post by ocarolan on Jan 17, 2015 14:09:44 GMT
Guy, you'll find that even the standard Masterclass PB strings tune to pitch at a slightly lower tension than most other brands (different core/wrap ratios?), and certainly also feel more flexible (owing to round core construction)
The Heritage ones have their core/wrap ratio very specifically designed to be considerably lower in tension as well as having similar tension string to string.
So, you might find that even the standard 13-56 Masterclass provide you with an improvement. The Heritage 13-55 certainly will.
Let us know how you get on!
Keith
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Post by surfguy13 on Jan 17, 2015 15:23:48 GMT
Guy, you'll find that even the standard Masterclass PB strings tune to pitch at a slightly lower tension than most other brands (different core/wrap ratios?), and certainly also feel more flexible (owing to round core construction) The Heritage ones have their core/wrap ratio very specifically designed to be considerably lower in tension as well as having similar tension string to string. So, you might find that even the standard 13-56 Masterclass provide you with an improvement. The Heritage 13-55 certainly will. Let us know how you get on! Keith I certainly will Keith and thank you once again for the info! I think we all underestimate strings and I'm as guilty as anybody.....I have just gone with Dads for I don't know how many years and never really thought to ask the question. I was aware of Newtone strings but never tried them and yet the simple fact that they are UK-based manufacturers should have motivated me to at the very least try them. When playing small bodied 12-fret guitars you really do need a string that is responsive as you have to work with a little less of everything relative to a larger bodied 14-fret. This is particularly the case as I tend to fingerpick 95% of the time and therefore potentially have slightly less volume and also less consistent tone relative to flat picking. Earwighoney suggested going for an 80/20 which was a really helpful suggestion so I will get both some PB and Bronze Newtone strings and spend a few weeks working out exactly what suits the guitars.
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Post by vikingblues on Jan 17, 2015 15:52:25 GMT
Guy, you'll find that even the standard Masterclass PB strings tune to pitch at a slightly lower tension than most other brands (different core/wrap ratios?), and certainly also feel more flexible (owing to round core construction) The Heritage ones have their core/wrap ratio very specifically designed to be considerably lower in tension as well as having similar tension string to string. So, you might find that even the standard 13-56 Masterclass provide you with an improvement. The Heritage 13-55 certainly will. Let us know how you get on! Keith I certainly will Keith and thank you once again for the info! I think we all underestimate strings and I'm as guilty as anybody.....I have just gone with Dads for I don't know how many years and never really thought to ask the question. I was aware of Newtone strings but never tried them and yet the simple fact that they are UK-based manufacturers should have motivated me to at the very least try them. When playing small bodied 12-fret guitars you really do need a string that is responsive as you have to work with a little less of everything relative to a larger bodied 14-fret. This is particularly the case as I tend to fingerpick 95% of the time and therefore potentially have slightly less volume and also less consistent tone relative to flat picking. Earwighoney suggested going for an 80/20 which was a really helpful suggestion so I will get both some PB and Bronze Newtone strings and spend a few weeks working out exactly what suits the guitars. I too used D'Addarios for a long time Guy ... at least 12 years! I did try changing once in a while, but kept going back to them. Till this last year. It's not that I don't like the Dads sound any more, just that the Newtones better suit me and the type of gentle fingerstyle I play. Be interesting to hear how you / your guitars get on with Newtones of whatever type. Mark
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Post by surfguy13 on Jan 17, 2015 16:26:33 GMT
I too used D'Addarios for a long time Guy ... at least 12 years! I did try changing once in a while, but kept going back to them. Till this last year. It's not that I don't like the Dads sound any more, just that the Newtones better suit me and the type of gentle fingerstyle I play. Be interesting to hear how you / your guitars get on with Newtones of whatever type. Mark It's strange isn't it how you just get stuck in a rut? Although I'm very interested to try something different I still think that PB Dads are pretty damn good strings and will probably always keep a few sets to hand!
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Post by andyhowell on Jan 20, 2015 20:05:19 GMT
I used D'Addarios for a long time - both lights and mediums. I now use Newtones as well (Keith's commission is growing all the time).
I find Newtones are better new and loose that horrible all over the place shimmer of new strings more quickly than others. I've not tested this scientifically but I think they are longer lasting too - breaking less often when tuning from one tuning to another.
I have mediums on two guitars and lights on one. For tone I much prefer mediums but they take a bit of effort !!!
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Post by sigmadel on Jan 21, 2015 9:04:50 GMT
Elixer HD lights . Best strings I've ever used and last for ages .
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Post by Martin on Jan 21, 2015 10:03:12 GMT
Newtones from Fretsounds is my recommendation too. Great strings, good prices and an excellent service.
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