Preferred string makers for 12 string

Subject: Preferred string makers/brands for 12 string
From: Leadbelly
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 01:44 PM

Which string(s) do 12 stringers prefer? And why?

Manfred

Subject: RE: Preferred string makers for 12 string
From: Big Mick
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 02:09 PM

Hey, Manfred, how you doin'?

I prefer to use Elixers on the 12, as opposed to d'addario coated on my 6. They just seem to hold a tune wonderfully, and stay vibrant and lively, until they just die. What I mean by that is that there is very little degradation in sound until they break. Usually I change them when I break the lighter gauges. Might be my imagination, but they just seem to hold their tone longer on the 12. I used to use the Martin Marquis, which I also thought were OK, but they degraded in sound too quick for my liking.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Preferred string makers for 12 string
From: 12-stringer
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 02:40 PM

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.

Subject: RE: Preferred string makers for 12 string
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 06:26 PM

Aah used te use D'Orazio 11/50-11/28's (Set 17) which are superb on my Takamine 12 - They tune to 'concert' without being too heavy on the fingers and they ring like bells.

Unfortunately they are like rockin'-horse sh*t to get hold of - The one supplier aah had went out of biz and at the mo aah'm toying with buying them direct from Italy

Subject: RE: Preferred string makers for 12 string
From: Mooh
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 07:50 PM

D'Addario EJ38 light guage phosphor bronze (.010-.047) for standard tuning at concert pitch, same in medium guage for tuning down a semi-tone. They are very consistent, last a while, sound great, and hold up to a beating. (My guitar is a solid rosewood/spruce/ebony Beneteau flattop, though I doubt I'd use anything different on a different axe.)

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Preferred string makers for 12 string
From: Leadbelly
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 01:29 PM

Thank you very much for your input,Big Mick et al!
Presently I do use Thomastik-Infeld produced in Austria. Not bad at all, but I'm not quite sure whether they are really suitable for a Guild F 312-Special and for playing the blues. Moreover, some times I do use a plectrum.
I believe it's most difficult to find the "right" product, because one has to find/make a compromise between a special guitar-brand, kind of music to be played with, technique of playing an instrument, price aso.

In former times I made some good experiences with Martin, Darco and-if these have been for my Guild, which I cannot remember exactly - La Bella.

Again, thanks for your recommendations! Will remember all of them when there's a need for new stringing,

Manfred