I am new to the reso world, and also new to forums and posting! I have a new W/S Maple and was looking for string information and recommendations. The useful information I found was spread across several threads. I appreciated both the facts and the opinions I discovered.
I took some notes as I was searching various sources for strings as to gauges, etc. I thought perhaps others might find it helpful to have in one place. I've tried to be objective and state general opinions fairly. Some of the tips at the end I have not seen elsewhere (Fast Fret, Express Shine).
So, if I did this correctly you should be able to find the results attached. If this is useful, it certainly could be expanded with other information useful to Noobs like me. The attached table contains the Brand, Types, Gauges and Street Price along with a few comments.
=> File attachment update 18 July 2008. Added cost comparisons, Brand sources, and bulk string information.
=> File attachment update 21 July 2008 (Rev4). Corrected minor error on a couple of string gauges.
=> File attachment update 23 July 2008 (rev5). Added tables and graphs for calculated string tensions.
=> File attachment update 28 July 2008 (rev5b). Added John Pearse 3050 strings to table.
=> File attachment update 29 October 2008 (Rev 6). Added information for Advanced Music Technology prices.
=> File attachment update 22 November 2008 (Rev 7). Corrected string gauge for EXP42.
//mike
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Comments
You didn't include a company like Euphonon that sells bulk strings for about $40 for a dozen sets and will substitute a larger string for the .013.
I understand that Euphonon is a packager that packages for some big companies and sells those strings. I have had very good success with these. Once in a while I put on a name brand if I am going someplace special. This has allowed me to change strings more often with lower cost in addition to buying single strings for other instruments.
Here is the website: http://www.hotworship.com/euphonon/acoustic.html
Pretty cool - if you are serious about keeping this sheet up - you may want to update the prices with a low found on-line and where it is. The just strings prices don;t usually seem to be the lowest.While I was typing this I went over to FQMS to find the price I pay for GHS 1650's. I usually buy around a dozen sets at a time. I was disgusted to see how much the price went up. Not they're $6.95. I seem to recall thay used to be around $5.00
MBinDC
www.michaelbarton.net
Looks like I'll be headed to Beard for my 1650s now. Cheapest I found through my usual channels ($5.70).
Seems like just the other day FQMS had the 1650s for, I think, $4.63/set. Elderly's priced pretty well on the EJ42s, so I'll thy them for a while...
"It's a fine line, really, between clever and stupid." -David St. Hubbins
Thanks for the responses. Looks like this might be worth adding to:
- Prices are always changing, so I figured using JustStrings.com would give a decent snapshot for comparison purposes. But a range would be handy, so I'll do some more research.
- Adding some URL's for bulk string sources is a good idea. If you could post your sources I'll add them.
- How about some more tips? Like "Keep an eye out for special discounts at Musician's Friend and JustStrings and save some that way". Post your suggestions and tips!
- Are there some Brands and Gages I should include. Didn't want to try to get every possible one, but did I miss an important option? (Newtone has a bunch - didn't think listing them all would be that helpful).
Thanks for putting the time into that, Mike!
Bobby Wright recommended the following set which I like a lot, from Musicians Friend (but you have to hunt for them in the catalog on-line, I don't think they're in the print edition):
Rogue brand strings priced in 12-packs:
.017 #120017 $1.86
.020 #120468 $1.86
.028 #120476 $5.77
.036 #120136 $6.37
.046 #120146 $7.30
.056 #120156 $7.98
Total: $31.00
Other gauges are of course available as well, and the price is right for frequent string changes. By the way, if you're new to the reso and you want a great set-up, with a lot of skill and good advice, click on the name "Bobby" above.
P a b l o
Guitar strings versus dobro strings. One local store said guitar strings were just as good. They had no dobro strings. Suggestions either way appreciated.
Interesting note, at the Basin Bluegrass Festival in Brandon, Vt. only a couple dobros on stage or in jams.
Fred
Pablo......is that $31 for one set?
..pt..
aka PLTreso
That be 12 sets (a dozen) Preston
.
James G. Traylor, Jr. (aka Forensbro)
For a great set-up that will not disappoint http://www.customresosetup.com/
I think it was mentioned above, but buy an acoustic guitar set, move the 2nd string to the first, and then get a single in about an .018 to use for the second. The guitar strings are the same...it's the gauges that are off!
Lee Hiers, AA4GA
"Hornography" for the people!
www.havedobrowilltravel.com