The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #108769   Message #2266546
Posted By: 12-stringer
19-Feb-08 - 02:40 PM
Thread Name: Preferred string makers for 12 string
Subject: RE: Preferred string makers for 12 string
Darco Lights. These are 80/20, 12-52. I haven't used the XL, 10-47, set, because I prefer a heavier string that I can tune low. Mine is always at B or C, never higher than C#. If you tune to D or E, try the XL instead of the Light. There's also a Phosphor, somewhat more expensive, which only comes in XL.

Reasons I like them:

A) They're cheap. FQMS.com will sell ya a set for about $3 and are a pleasure to deal with (unsolicited endorsement).
B) Very decent string life for the money. I don't play in public anymore, unless ya count the dogs on the back porch, but the Darcos don't go dead ten minutes after you clip the ends. The ones on my 12 right now have been there for 8 or 9 months and need changed, but are still quite playable. Naturally you'll want to change more often if you're gigging, but compared to prices on other brands you could afford to change these every week.
C) Although they're made in Mexico, Darco is a Martin brand and the Darco strings are as good as any Martin-name strings I've used over the last 45 years, and at half (or less) the price.