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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2021 16:13:19 GMT
I put some Martin Silk and Steel strings on my Larrivee Silver Oak on Sunday. Left it to settle down cos you know how they are when you put new ones on. You have to retune it every 5 minutes and after doing it twice I couldn't be arsed anymore.
Just picked it up.
Holy Cow. It sounds amazing. I like D'Addarios and Elixirs but I really must experiment more. Those two are so ubiquitous there's something almost generic about the sound.
I going to go on a bit of a strings binge later and will get some Ernie Ball Earthwoods along with a few more packs of those Martins (they're awesome to my ears).
Would any of you like to suggest / recommend other brands to try?
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Post by sweyne1 on Apr 27, 2021 16:30:55 GMT
Newtone Heritage (low tension). They really are low tension so easier to play. Whether you like the sound or not is another question.
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Post by bellyshere on Apr 27, 2021 21:49:16 GMT
I put some Martin Silk and Steel strings on my Larrivee Silver Oak on Sunday. Left it to settle down cos you know how they are when you put new ones on. You have to retune it every 5 minutes and after doing it twice I couldn't be arsed anymore. Just picked it up. Holy Cow. It sounds amazing. I like D'Addarios and Elixirs but I really must experiment more. Those two are so ubiquitous there's something almost generic about the sound. I going to go on a bit of a strings binge later and will get some Ernie Ball Earthwoods along with a few more packs of those Martins (they're awesome to my ears). Would any of you like to suggest / recommend other brands to try? Are they the new Martin authentic ones? I love them as well. They don’t last long mind and not great for lower tunings but other than that fab.
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Post by andy3sheds on Apr 27, 2021 22:02:28 GMT
In the Great String Famine in lockdown 1 I couldn’t get my usual string brands and I tried out some Rotosound Superbronze 12s and was quite pleased with them. They seem to suit my cedar topped cocobolo Linklater particularly well. A favourite brand of mine is Thomastik I particularly like their Plectrum range not an obvious choice for finger style perhaps but their construction goes a long way to lessen string noise squeaks etc. In this years Brexit String Famine Thomastik Plectrums weren’t available so I tried the Thomastik Spectrum range which were fine but I still like the Plecs . For an archtop Thomastik Flats are THE string no string noise ,last forever ( they don’t gather muck and grime) they are just so slick, I’ve also got them on a Telecaster
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Post by andyhowell on Apr 28, 2021 7:09:27 GMT
Newtone Heritage (low tension). They really are low tension so easier to play. Whether you like the sound or not is another question. I've become very fond of these strings — mediums for me.
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walkingdecay
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Post by walkingdecay on Apr 28, 2021 8:27:03 GMT
After much experimentation I settled on Martin SPs, which have the sort of balanced, clean sound I like.
I could never get on with Newtones. So slack-feeling and dull that I thought I might as well string my boxes with the elastic bands the postman drops. (If our dogs belonged to breed which can be bothered to make a noise I'd train them to bark at the postman. And people in green wellies.)
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2021 9:49:38 GMT
Some of my guitars have shorter scale lengths than others and so the tension is lower. I'll definitely give the Newtones a try though.
Thanks
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Apr 28, 2021 12:19:56 GMT
Some of my guitars have shorter scale lengths than others and so the tension is lower. I'll definitely give the Newtones a try though. Thanks Go for the Newtone Masterclass ones first - they aren't particularly low tension but they do seem to tune to pitch with slightly less tension than other makes for the same gauge. It may be due to slightly reduced core diameters, but the main factor is probably the round core costruction which allows the wound strings to be much more flexible (you can tell this as soon as you uncoil them) and hence they can feel slinkier. The wound strings (as with all round core wound strings) must not be cut before being put on and tuned up. The unwound strings are tin-plated which can make them feel a little different. I find that, in contrast to most strings, they can sound not at their best immediately after being put on, a bit "polite" and restrained. The cure is simply a burst or two of thrashy strummage which brings them to life. You'll either like them a lot, or not at all. The Newtone Heritage sets are designed to not only have less tension for any given gauge (owing to the thinner core, thicker wrap) but also to have more even tension from string to string. Keith
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2021 12:45:42 GMT
Thanks ocarolan I've just looked up the specs and it appears that the Yamahas are 25 9/16 in while the Larrivees are 25 1/2 in scale length. I'm intending the Newtones for the LV10. The Yamahas feel noticeably easier to play. Maybe it's something to do with set up or bridge height. Those Yamahas are just amazing guitars (and if anyone ever wanted an LL36 Peach Guitars has one at £2,500).
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Post by Onechordtrick on Apr 28, 2021 12:59:07 GMT
If it's easier to play I'd look at the setup. Assuming the strings are the same on both 1/16" wouldn't make much difference in tension. Is the action lower on the Yamaha? I've just had my 12 string set up and it's much easier to play.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2021 13:05:21 GMT
If it's easier to play I'd look at the setup. Assuming the strings are the same on both 1/16" wouldn't make much difference in tension. Is the action lower on the Yamaha? I've just had my 12 string set up and it's much easier to play. took it to the luthier and he didn't want to touch it. Sounds great but there is a difference. Perhaps I'll take it to the man at the Yamaha store. I'm due a visit there.
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Post by andyhowell on Apr 28, 2021 13:50:52 GMT
The Newtone Masterclass are my faves.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2021 14:41:18 GMT
The Newtone Masterclass are my faves. Will definitely give them a go. Going to put some orders in later today.
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Post by Gregg Hermetech on Apr 28, 2021 16:17:02 GMT
Obvious, but every guitar and personal taste is different, so you just gotta experiment really. Love Martin Retro Monel or D'Addario Nickel Bronze (basically the same thing I think) on my Faith OM sized Spruce/Hog, but hate them on the Lowden. Tried four different sets on the Lowden and hated them all, except for the Lowden strings (which I think are made by Cleartone), and they seem to last much longer than any other string I have previously used (granted, it's the first time I have used a coated string), but they just sound so much better than the others I tried.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2021 17:28:58 GMT
If it's easier to play I'd look at the setup. Assuming the strings are the same on both 1/16" wouldn't make much difference in tension. Is the action lower on the Yamaha? I've just had my 12 string set up and it's much easier to play. No. I've been playing it again and it's not the action. Other people love that guitar and I love the sound of it. Maybe it's the neck (but my Larry OM is my most comfortable). I dunno. It's a great guitar. Maybe it's in my head. I love it but somehow it irks me. That's why I'm always thinking about selling it, then I play it for a while and change my mind......
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