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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2018 19:33:24 GMT
Just whacked a set of these (specifically NB1256) on my borrowed Brook OM. Once you get over the colour of them, I have to say I am remarkably impressed. Strings aren’t always things that one can get excited about, but these are some of the things I have noticed already: *they are far less bright than phoshour bronze, with none of the really harsh zing that they can suffer from *harmonics seem to come out clearer (but that may be because they are new). *intonation seems to be better (but then again that might be because the strings they replaced were getting old) *they feel really nice to play *overall they sound better balanced
Early days but I will report back in a week or two once they have settled down. I am even beginning to like the look of them though. We’ll see how long they last compared to PB, as being a bit more expensive I want to see if they are better value for money.
To put them into context, my favourite strings before these were Daadario EXPs (12 to 56), and I also like Newtones. Can’t stand Elixirs, they really really grate on me.
Anyone else used used these yet?
Robbie
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Post by RodB on Jun 22, 2018 21:39:22 GMT
Yes, I've tried quite a few different alloys / brands and have settled with D'addario NB's on my spruce topped McIlroy. Hard to describe the tonal changes but a better match in terms of overtones - a cleaner sound, and unlike 80/20 not at all harsh. I'm not so convinced on my Cedar topped McIlroy - on this one I will probably go back to Wyres PBs, that I had on for several years. I have alternated between PBs and NBs on my Taran and like the change in character that each brings, but at the moment my preference is for the NBs. The tune I posted recently was with D'addario NB 12-53s on it: acousticsoundboard.co.uk/post/135140/thread I have also tried the 13.5-56 Balanced Tension set on the McIlroy, but changing out the 18 for a 17 - that worked well for a lot of alt tunings. (When it comes to describing strings I always smile when I read D'Addrio's description of their PB's as being Warm and Bright at the same time - I understand why they say this but it conveys nothing unless you have heard them) [Edit: I should add the PBs I am referring to are D'addario EJ16s - and have the same opinion of Elixirs....]
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Post by PistolPete on Jun 25, 2018 13:30:53 GMT
I've been using D'addario Nickel Bronze on my Gibson for a while (pretty much since I've had it I think). When I got the guitar I found flats were too thumpy, regular bronze strings gave me odd harmonics (they started to sound much better just before they died completely) but these seem to suit it really well.
Plus you get a sticker in the packet, and everyone knows stickers are cool...
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2018 10:22:04 GMT
Well, a week on and I'm absolutely loving these strings. Really enjoying the feel and sound, and still no sign of them going dead on me. No harshness to the sound, and the sound of them has been consistently good from the off- none of that waiting for the 'zing' to die down before you really get to hear the character of your guitar.
Robbie
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2018 10:26:42 GMT
Just a quick update. I wanted to put the OM into Dadgad with a view to recording the OM before it goes back to its owner. I thought I would give Martin Monel (Laurence Juber) set a try, as they are specifically for dadgad. HUGE mistake. These are lifeless cheese wire strings that suck every ounce of character out of the guitar, leaving it devoid and bereft of anything in the way of tone, mids or bass, and instead leaving in their wake a piercing jangle of treble that reminded me of Sir Thomas Beecham’s quip that a “harpsichord sounded like two skeletons copulating on a tin roof”.
I am going to put the Dads back on, and have all but given up on the thought of recording any of my dadgad tunes (it was only two of them anyway).
Anyone try and and like the Martins?
Oh, and if anyone is looking for a set of almost brand new wires to replace the one on their cheese grater, they will be appearing in the classifieds very shortly!
Robbie
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Post by Onechordtrick on Aug 14, 2018 10:34:53 GMT
Just a quick update. I wanted to put the OM into Dadgad with a view to recording the OM before it goes back to its owner. I thought I would give Martin Monel (Laurence Juber) set a try, as they are specifically for dadgad. HUGE mistake. These are lifeless cheese wire strings that suck every ounce of character out of the guitar, leaving it devoid and bereft of anything in the way of tone, mids or bass, and instead leaving in their wake a piercing jangle of treble that reminded me of Sir Thomas Beecham’s quip that a “harpsichord sounded like two skeletons copulating on a tin roof”. I am going to put the Dads back on, and have all but given up on the thought of recording any of my dadgad tunes (it was only two of them anyway). Anyone try and and like the Martins? Oh, and if anyone is looking for a set of almost brand new wires to replace the one on their cheese grater, they will be appearing in the classifieds very shortly! Robbie Well it sounds like they live up to Martin's promise of "sounding like nothing else on the market"
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Post by oustudent on Aug 14, 2018 19:12:22 GMT
I have a set of NB ready to try on my next scheduled string change, I can't wait
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Post by Adam on Aug 16, 2018 15:09:24 GMT
Glad there are some fans of our Nickel Bronze here! I really like them too. Pretty much everything you described is bang on too. You should also find they are much more stable in tuning that Phosphors Bronze also Adam.
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,532
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Aug 16, 2018 15:15:46 GMT
I bought a set at the North West guitar show earlier this year - haven't got around to actually putting them on anything yet. The strings I currently have on my guitars are still shiny in parts so it may be next year...
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