Guild guitar string replacements

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: GUEST,Bill Galbraith
Date: 29 Aug 00 - 04:59 PM

Seems as though no one on the list actually played the old Guild strings. I'll just have to try out others. Thanks to all for comments.

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: Bert
Date: 29 Aug 00 - 01:42 PM

Jon, I think it's more likely to be 'work hardening' than thinning.

I change mine when I feel the need to give the old guitar a treat.

Of course if you have a 'son' in the house who brings his friends around, then I can assure you that Elixirs don't last any longer at all.

Bert.

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: JedMarum
Date: 29 Aug 00 - 12:13 PM

I used to use the lowest cost Martins, and change 'em put pretty often. I like the Marquis and other Phosphur alloys, but I can't use 'em long. I'm not sure if its me(I leave a bit of sweat and meat on the neck when I play, even though I clean it) or of it's the Texas heat, but in summer I can't use the Phosphur strings more then one night. I can use the low/no phosphur longer, but in summer I still go through 'em pretty quick.

I too have a love/hate thing going with Elixers. They do sound a bit muted, compared to the brightness of brand new strings, but they sound OK, and their sound doesn't change over time (much). I like the low squeek affect, but I hate the feel. They are definately harder to double, and I guess they can't be lying about the size (they say their guage is standard) so it must be the slickness or something. Anyway, I have double fretted some chord combinations for years and now suddenly find doing so a bitof a challenge, with Elixers. I have gotten used to them, and have decieded they are a neccessary compromise. I am sure I spend less money, overall, and change them far less often. I've had very few break. All things considered they're OK - pretty good sound, and they last.

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: GUEST,Fretless Wonder
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 10:23 AM

As you wish, Jon...

I hope playing in different positions extends the life of the strings --- when I begin to notice the tarnish on the strings at the positions I normally play, I start wandering up the neck to play E, for example, at the fourth or seventh or even twelfth fret. If nothing else, it reinforces my knowledge of where things are on the fretboard.

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 09:29 AM

Interesting thoughts Guest, I wonder if repeated fretting does cause "dead spots". Nearly all my playing is done in the open position - do players who move up and down the neck a lot get a longer life out of their strings?

PS, (and this is not an anti Guest comment) It would be nicer if you gave yourself a name to go with Guest - just seems sort of more friendly responding to a name that to "Guest".

Jon

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 09:08 AM

Jon...that's my thrifty criterion for a string change as well: when they won't tune up no matter how much I tweak them, it's time for a change.

Can't answer your question though. My guess would be that the string acquires "dead spots" in those places where you fret the most...perhaps that affects intonation along the length of the string.

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 08:58 AM

Thinking of string life, I used use Ernie Ball Earthwood stings on my old Yamaha as I liked the sound that combination seemed to give. I actually hated the initial brightness of the strings but found that with some hard playing, that would wear off in a matter of hours. I was then left with strings that I liked the sound of and they seemed to stay consistent for a long while. The main reason I had for changing a set was they reached a point where I could no longer tune them properly.

What causes that - they can sound right say on the second fret but sound miles out on the fifth. Do parts of the strings become thinner than others with stretching?

Jon

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 08:31 AM

The love-hate relationship with Elixirs seems pretty common. They definitely last a long time, which can offset the higher price. They are a little muddier sounding when new, and while they reduce finger squeaks, I don't really mind finger squeaks that much to start with. Also, from time to time I've noticed some weird buzzy undertones on the wound strings; it's subtle, and at first I wasn't sure if it was my imagination, but I've come to believe that the Gore-Tex coating isn't always all that securely bonded to the windings. The coating also tends to get a little frayed around the picking area (I flat-pick and fingerpick, with nails), which may be a contributing factor.

I usually use D'Addario medium guage phosphor bronze strings, the EJ 17 set. But in my experience most reputable brand (GHS, D'Addario, John Pierce, etc.) strings of a certain type (medium guage phosphor bronze) are pretty comparable. The most important thing is to change your strings often.

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 12:49 AM

I have to disagree with everyone on the Elixir strings. I was given a half-dozen sets in a promotion, used one set and gave the rest away. They sounded dead to me, no brightness whatever. So back to the old D'Addario medium Phosphors for me. All the best
Seamus

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: Pseudolus
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 09:42 PM

I agree with all of the posts about the Elixer strings. the impressive thing is just how long they stay bright! With other strings, I usually will go three to four gigs before I notice a significant difference in brightness, or at least enough to consider changing them. With the first set of Elixers, I went almost four months before I thought it was time to make a change! I love 'em.....

Frank

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: RocketMan
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 05:57 PM

I've settled on D'Addario EJ17 Med Phos Bronze for my D35. I play Bluegrass rhythm and some flatpicking. Your instrument, type of music, style of playing, pocketbook, etc. are considerations when selecting strings.

RMan

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 12:39 PM

BTW.....Phil Everley's family is in now in the string business and I saw a little blurb on the Everley Bothers Bio show about it. Has anyone tried them? I know Elderly sells them. Just wondering.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 12:27 PM

I'm with Big Mick on this one. As a player and instrument repairer I've tried probably every string brand at one time or another. The Elixirs certainly feel different (although OK to me) and are quite expensive but last me 3-4 times as long as other brands (although I do extend the lifetime of the wounds by replacing the plain strings more frequently. To me this adds up to less expensive in the short term. Mick's right too that they stay bright right to the end and the sound is one that I like. I use them on both guitar and mandolin now.

For instruments that there isn't an Elixir set for, like my octave mandolin, I generally use D'Addarios and like them. I've liked the GHS strings I've used in the past too, as some have mentioned above although I can't get them where I live now. I've never had any personal luck with Dr. Thomastiks although some other players I know swear by them. Perhaps it's the old "finger acid" problem again.

Peace,

mcmoo

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: Big Mick
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 12:07 PM

I have an ongoing love/hate relationship with the Elixer strings. On my six string, they are unsurpassed in durability and sound. Some folks don't like the slick feeling of them, but I love it and the fact that string slide noise is greatly reduced. One of the nicest things about these strings is the fact that they stay bright until the end. Another downside is the cost. They are almost double the cost of the others. But they last longer........on the six string. On my 12 string Guild (make a birdhouse out of her, indeed, Kendall you auld fart...hhhhuuuuummmmppppphhhhh!!!) they are wonderful also, but the G octave string breaks relatively quickly and I end up replacing it. But still, I love these strings.

Mick

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: gillymor
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 10:53 AM

I've been using Pearse and D'Addarios PB's for a long time now mainly because they're so consistent and durable which is good for me because I don't change them too often. However, Gore Elixirs came installed on a new Larrivee I recently acquired and I'm really impressed by the sound and especially the feel of them (your slimy is my slithery, Midchuck *g*). They make it very easy to move around the fingerboard and I'm told they have a very long life. And regarding Guild strings it's possible they had someone else making strings for them and that particular string might be available under another label. I could be dead wrong but it might be worth making a few inquiries. Good luck.

Frankie

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 08:47 AM

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 08:20 AM

Nearly right dw, you just missed the h off href. Here it is: Click Here

Jon

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: Midchuck
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 07:35 AM

John Pearse, D'Addario, GHS are all fine strings. I use whichever's handy. The GHS "true mediums" are a good set for a dreadnought tha's bass-heavy but you want to use for something besides just bluegrass rhythm (Shock! "But what else is there?")

Elixrs are best if you have acid sweat and kill strings fast, although I avoid them because they feel slimy and I have pretty good luck with "ordinary" strings lasting.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: dwditty
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 07:33 AM

Crap. I have such a hard time with links. Do a search on Guitar strings and you'll find a thread from November 1999.

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: dwditty
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 07:32 AM

I've tried lots of different strings. There was a thread on strings a while back. Click Here I always seem to come back to D'addario. I used EJ-16 (light) for years but now prefer EJ17 (med.) See RIB's comments above.

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: Les B
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 01:29 AM

I second Spaw's choice of GHS. They've been my favorite for about a decade.

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 05:01 PM

I like D'Addario too, but have been using GHS for a long time and I like the sound and quality. You might try their Vintage Bronze for something similar to what you liked....just a bit brighter than the phosphors.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: GUEST,Roger in Baltimore
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 03:32 PM

String choice reflects personal preferences. I choose D'Adderio's Phosphor-Bronze light gauge for my Guild 12-String. I use D'Addario on my other guitars as well. I do not consider myself a true string affictionado (where's that dictionary?), but D'Adderio's sound is pleasing to my ear, they don't break very often, they don't slip out of tune, and they seem to hold up well.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Guild guitar string replacements
From: Gary T
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 02:45 PM

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the Guild strings you mention, but I've always liked John Pearse phosphor bronze strings.

Subject: Guild guitar string replacements
From: GUEST,Bill Galbraith
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 01:07 PM

Some years ago Guild was bought out by Fender and stopped making their phosphor bronze guitar strings which were the overwhelming choice of most acoustic musicians in my part of the universe. Are there any Mudcat guitarists who've come up with something similar or a good replacement? Any help appreciated.