Bluegrass String Question

[leehop71]

After reading the threads I could find on bluegrass strings, am I correct that these strings would be ideal for someone needing a little more bottom keeping the mids and highs where they are? Even in a situation where there is 100% strumming involved? Thanks.
Jack

[JannieA]

I've had EJ19s on for a couple of days and my answer would be yes, for me overall, they just sound a lot better.

[drbluegrass]

Originally Posted by JannieA

I've had EJ18s on for a couple of days and my answer would be yes, for me overall, they just sound a lot better.

In your experience, would that hold true for flat picking as well?



Tom

[rwskaggs]

I use the EJ-19 Phosphor Bronze Bluegrass strings on my Rainsong dread at our local bluegrass jams. I like 'em - they aren't as hard to play as 13-56 mediums, and I cross-pick and finger-pick interchangeably depending on the songs we do.

Nice thing with these on a Rainsong - you can be subtle or you can "load the cannon" if you wish!

[RevRuss]

I've tried several brands and guages on my Epiphone Masterbuilt 500 D MN.
GHS Vintage Bronze Bluegrass gauge is heads and shoulders better than any string I've put on it.

In fact, I'm not going to put any other string on it now but this one.
It has such a "warm & woody" sound. Makes me feel good every time I play it.

Russ

[Blueser100]

I like the Martin Bluegrass strings. A nice cross between mediums and lights.

[ddawson2012]

First off, I'll grant you that my opinion brand-wise is tainted but gauge-wise, .012-.056 is a near perfect blend for bluegrass or even for acoustic players that need the bass "whomp" and the ability to bend above the 5th fret on the higher strings. I've been using these for a dogs age and frankly, was never happy that they were called "Bluegrass" gauge, not because the terminology doesn't fit the application but it has potentially steered non-bluegrass players away from this set. I push this set more often then traditional light and medium gauge. Glad to see others talking about it (regardless of brand)!

[RustyAxe]

My dreads are strung with D'Addario EJ-19's. Gives me the tone I'm looking for.

[JannieA]

I meant to say EJ19's not EJ18's and yes the bottom end is increased and my Grand Concert projects in a nicer way and even though the basses are heavier tension I don't know why but I'd swear they are as easy or maybe even easier to actually play up the neck. Overall they just make my guitar play and sound nicer. I also called Taylor to make sure this was an okay thing to do on my Taylor GC and they said yes, but that I'll probably have to adjust the truss rod a little and I did, I always check that anyway every time I change strings.

I think if more folks tried "bluegrass" strings of any type material or slight variations, they might be more satisfied with the guitars they're thinking of selling or trading...and find that it's a pretty easy upgrade.

What I like is "the bottom end is increased" and the basses get tonally better defined. Not just a boost in vulume but projection. Things can almost get piano-like with medium basses.

With fairy low action the 6th strings on most light sets have always felt a little lame to me. And I never liked a lot of light 4th strings tonally.

The feel (and target) of medium gauge basses is something to really love.

[Ed422]

I was using mediums (Pearse PB) on my Larrivee parlor and they sounded great. I tried a set of bluegrass (also Pearse PB) and they kind of took the edge off of the high end. To my ear, they sound a little "greater" than mediums. I don't think it emphasizes the bass or mids, I think it de-emphasizes the high end. It isn't something I'd expect a bigger guitar to need. If anything, I'd expect a dreadnaught to need the opposite... light bass and medium trebles to counteract their bass heavy nature.

Ed

On a larger body guitar you don't "need" more bass as much IMO as better defined bass. With mediums, IMO I find it easier to control that. How? With my right and a pick (or even pick choices).

With a parlor I could very easily see how you would want to stay all one gauge something.

The hardest thing to add to any guitar is treble. But the good thing about treble is that it cuts through at lower decibels. Even contrast can work if you're not playing a boomy dread and not all dreads are really "boomy."

And following my own rule: these and ALL discussions are meaningless, out of context without reference to the type of music and songs that we play. I really think that's where it starts and ends.

Enjoy that Larivee!

[Ed422]

Originally Posted by Fret Buzz

. Even contrast can work if you're not playing a boomy dread and not all dreads are really "boomy."

!

That may be. I've never found a dreadnaught that was not too boomy and bass heavy.

Ed

[RussMason]

I guess there needs to be a distinction between string sets that are labeled bluegrass and string sets that are best for this kind of music. Usually, a bluegrass guitar player will alternate between strumming accompaniment, or fingerpicking accompaniment, and taking a chorus of the song by flat-picking. It's probably safe to use Tony Rice as a model bluegrass guitarist.

For bluegrass playing, this is what I do:

12, 16 Martin silvered steel
25, 36 Nickel-plated steel (not pure nickel) D'Addario works well.
45, 56 Martin phosphor bronze

The mids, being nickel-plated steel, are very bright and add a lot of punch. The phosphor bronze at the low end provides a lot of good bass and color.

The above string set works well for other kinds of music, esp folk and blues.