Surprising string choice

rollypolly · #1 10-14-2021, 01:26 PM

I was looking at Daryl Kellie's website recently because I am using one of his books to learn some technique. I really admire his guitar, the Lowden F32 and was curious about his string choice. I was surprised to see he likes good ole D'addario EJ12s, which are 80/20s.

I was surprised because the sound he gets is very warm and woody, whereas every time I've tried 80/20s I've been put off by the extreme metallic harshness. Is this just a guitar/string combo thing? His Lowden is spruce/walnut. Or have I just never been patient enough to wait for 80/20s to mellow out? I just can't understand that those are the strings he's using!

rollypolly · #2 10-14-2021, 01:27 PM

oops, his guitar is cedar top, maybe that is why!

Brent Hutto · #3 10-14-2021, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollypolly

I was looking at Daryl Kellie's website recently because I am using one of his books to learn some technique. I really admire his guitar, the Lowden F32 and was curious about his string choice. I was surprised to see he likes good ole D'addario EJ12s, which are 80/20s.

I was surprised because the sound he gets is very warm and woody, whereas every time I've tried 80/20s I've been put off by the extreme metallic harshness. Is this just a guitar/string combo thing? His Lowden is spruce/walnut. Or have I just never been patient enough to wait for 80/20s to mellow out? I just can't understand that those are the strings he's using!

Maybe he's one of those guys who won't record with a set of strings until it has aged in for a couple months?

davenumber2 · #4 10-14-2021, 01:34 PM

In my experience, 80/20's start off brash and metallic but mellow quickly.

Goat Mick · #5 10-14-2021, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davenumber2

In my experience, 80/20's start off brash and metallic but mellow quickly.

That's my experience as well. They start off really bright, but become much more mellow within a few hours.

rollypolly · #6 10-15-2021, 09:48 AM

ok I guess I just never had the patience, although I did make it through some retros on my GPC-15 that were bright for 2-3 days but eventually sounded good. Guess I'll throw a set on a guitar and wait a couple weeks.

euraquilo · #7 10-15-2021, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollypolly

oops, his guitar is cedar top, maybe that is why!

80/20s are my string of choice for my Taylor GC7 - which is also cedar topped.

JayBee1404 · #8 10-15-2021, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollypolly

I was looking at Daryl Kellie's website recently…I really admire his guitar, the Lowden F32…His Lowden is spruce/walnut.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollypolly

oops, his guitar is cedar top, maybe that is why!

You seem a bit confused about precisely what his guitar is! If his guitar is an F32, it is Sitka/EIR. If, however, it’s Cedar/Walnut, it’s an F23, not a 32.

EDIT: Just checked Daryl Kellie’s website - it’s an F23, Cedar/Walnut.