Which Strings On Which Guitar(s)
 

Just bringing this up again...I hate changing strings... but a boy has gotta do _____ . I do know the Cleartones are way to bright on the Savoy... so I got that going for me.... mostly about the Savoy, X-20, CH- OM+PA+WS , CA-OX, old school X-10, Cargo... not the banjo at this time though... also note; no nylon to be found...hard to believe I know.


https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4629/2...b2a390b3_b.jpg

My go-to strings are:
-- GHS White Bronze
-- Elixir PB Nanoweb
-- D'Addario EJ-16 or EJ-17 PB

I keep these ins tock and use them on all of my guitars, and they last fairly well for my body chemistry. I've been using the 52% nickel alloy White Bronze since back before Elixir was making coated strings, and they outlast any other non-coated string for me. The EJ-16's are done at week four or sooner, but the White Bronze are good enough for 3-4 months at only about $1 more per set.

For my guitars that get used for alternate tunings a lot, medium gauge EJ-17's work well enough. Tuning a string up and down repeatedly as I work though six different tunings is a good way to quickly kill their tone, and I want relatively inexpensive strings for that.

The X20-12 currently wears EJ-38's but will likely change to Elixirs at the next string change. I used EJ-38 to put the same strings on my Taylor and the Emerald for comparison purposes, at a reasonable cost. I only recently discovered that GHS makes a White Bronze twelve string set, so I plan to order some of those for a test run too.

My guitars include a Rainsong WS-1000, Blackbird Lucky 13, CA Cargo, and now the Emerald twelve string. Wooden guitars include (for the moment) several Taylor's, mostly GA's but a couple of other body sizes too (GS and Jumbo). And there is one last dreadnought, an old Seagull M6 that is the designated "beater / at risk" guitar for airline travel.

PS: Just so Evan doesn't panic, I do have one nylon string guitar -- a 70's vintage Guild classical which was gifted to me by an elderly lady downsizing for her move to assisted living.

Finally ... a darn near reasonable reason to have one.

Kramster, you mentioned ClearTone strings. I see from the photo that you tried the EQs. You mentioned they were very bright. Actually, I've been looking for a bright string to try on my all mahogany Taylor.

I know it would be apples/orange comparo, but would you describe your experience the EQs?

Thanks
Russ

I put them on and sounded bright than the string it comes with which are warmer or more civil I guess... Clear tones are too bright in the Savoy for me. Might be just what you are looking for on your guitar though. Try 'em.

I seem to have settled on EXP NY Steel 12s on my APLE, and EB Aluminum Bronze 12s on my Journey.

Interested to see what others are saying.

I use D'Addario EXP exclusively on my guitars at home. I would *maybe* use something else if I was recording a full project, but the EXPs give me all the tone I need for normal play, while also lasting twice as long (or more) between changes. And the key feature of my CF guitars is that they are always out, ready to play, so that corrosion resistance is pretty great.

I would definitely go with the Chocolate Lava on the Savoy. ;)

Uke string?

Thank you Earl; I hate being left out....

Like MiG50, I've tended to stick with D'Addario. I've tried others, but always return. Also, the D'Addario nylon strings come in a variety of tensions and compositions which allows for experimenting within the same brand.

Alistair used an interesting string on my new Emerald electric nylon. Optima, made in Germany, #6 classical guitar 24 carat gold. They are a little rich for my blood, but they are also really sweet. Not yet sure if they'll supplant the D'Addarios.

I thought Mr K. was slipping in some coffee package to confuse us.. :D

Fixed; Humm...maybe Mr. K is referring to one of the smokables he previously mentioned?

Hi Evan,
I am using the Optima #6 classical guitar 24 carat gold strings on my X7 nylon and they are great! I also just put a bone saddle in the X7 nylon which brought out the treble side of the sound. What an amazing guitar! It sounds terrific acoustically and great amplified.
Barb

Hi Barb,

I see those strings come with either carbon or nylon trebles. Have you tried both and which did you settle on? And, was it a custom made saddle?

Jim

Hi Jim,
The X7 was shipped with the nylon trebles and I found them slightly dead sounding so I tried the carbon trebles which helped. The bone saddle, which was custom made by Flip Scipio, made a great change in the guitar. The trebles now sing and there is less bass. I am not so sure that I am totally happy with the loss of some of the bass but there is still plenty to go around.

This X7 Nylon is the only nylon string guitar I have brought to school that can cut through the sound of the kids' voices. It is a guitar that seems to be able to do everything. I amplified it the other day at home and played a bunch of finger style chord melodies and it sounded great.

I am so happy with this guitar that I am neglecting my others (at least for the time being). Jim, are you loving your X7 Nylon too?
Barb