#31
|
|||
|
|||
silk and steel
Been playing now for about 8 years and trying like the blazers to ignore some arthritis. Silks were recommended and I strung them on my Canadian Norman. Initial impression was that they sounded a bit subdued, lacking the attack that normal steel has. BUT, and this is a biiiig BUT: They make playing so much easier... hardly any pain and now so easy to play longer and more effectively. Sound wise, they take a bit getting used to. They are warm and mellow and are most effective when hand picked ( don't even think of using a plectrum). They lend themselves to a gentler kind of music ,and in my estimation are brilliant. Highly recommend them to those having hand injury issues.
|
#32
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Plus one on the Plectrums for pretty much the reasons Marco describes above. I typically get at least 3-4 months of playing life out of the Plectrums so they are worth the extra cost to me. They also string up with less tension so are finger friendly. But I also have gotten very good results with Silk and Steels and I think anyone who wants to move toward warm and mellower versus bright and louder on a specific guitar could like Silk and Steels. I've only used the Martin varieties of S&S. I currently have them on my Taylor 522 12 fret and my Rainsong Parlor P-12. I tried the Silk and Phosphor on an HD35 I had for awhile and they were a good fit for that guitar but I agree they are brighter and seem to have more string tension. I appear to be blessed with non-corrosive hands as I have gotten between 2-3 months of playing time with the S&S before I change them. On my Taylor GA3-12 12 string (my first 12 string), I started out with Martin Silk and Steels and after about 3-4 months with them, switched to D'Addario PB strings which are on it currently. I think the mellowness of the S&S works better for sure on this guitar but the next string set on it will be TI Plectrums and I'm looking forward to that string change. String noise wise, the Plectrums are the quietest I have ever used. I think I am getting to the point where for my current style of playing, I'll probably use either Silk and Steels or Plectrums. After I try other brands, I keep coming back to these two. YMMW for sure!
__________________
Doerr Trinity 12 Fret 00 (Lutz/Maple) Edwinson Zephyr 13 Fret 00 (Adi/Coco) Froggy Bottom H-12 (Adi/EIR) Kostal 12 Fret OMC (German Spruce/Koa) Rainsong APSE 12 Fret (Carbon Fiber) Taylor 812ce-N 12 fret (Sitka/EIR Nylon) Last edited by SprintBob; 04-19-2016 at 05:13 AM. |
#33
|
|||
|
|||
On my Martin OMC-1e they sound great. I wouldn't use them on a dread but for a guitar with a small waist they sound great.
|
#34
|
||||
|
||||
I had Martin's S&S on my Seagull for a couple of string changes. I switched out to regular strings last time, but I will go back to them. On the Seagull they sound good.
__________________
Barry Sad Moments {Marianne Vedral cover}: My SoundCloud page Some steel strings, some nylon. |
#35
|
|||
|
|||
On my Republic resonator and they sound fantastic, mellowed out the tone, still very loud, and play like butter. On my Sigma DR-9 they sounded thin and lifeless, it all depends on the guitar.
__________________
___________________________________________ 1933 Gibson L-00 2007 Taylor 110 2013 Taylor GS Mini 2018 Eastman E10M 1977 Sigma DR-9 2012 Republic Miniolian 2016 Recording King ROS-G9M |
#36
|
|||
|
|||
Silk and steel strings are basically for the people who don't want to go through the pain of developing calluses on their fingertips. The reason they don't get much respect around here is because the whole idea of acoustic guitar is for the strings to drive the top and make it vibrate. Silk and steel strings don't do a very good job of that; you lose a lot of volume and tone.
|
#37
|
|||
|
|||
New member wallacek (post 31 above) brings a good point.
For those with particular issues, Silk and a Steel strings could bridge the gap between playing guitar or not. I've suggested that beginners use them, even tuned down a half step, to introduce them to playing. Yes, the are relatively subdued, but better some tone than no tone cuz they quit playing. Welcome wallacek, and thanks for your contribution. |
#38
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
In the words of the great Geddy Lee... "When it comes to music, more is more". |
#39
|
|||
|
|||
I've been using the Martin S&S strings but just wonder.... do they have a shorter life span? They feel great on my fingers (I have small hands and an orchestra body guitar) but I hate to have to change them every couple weeks....I play about 2 hours daily.
Thanks |
#40
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Really? I wouldn't have thought to try those on my resonator. I may have to try them out on it.
__________________
Barry Sad Moments {Marianne Vedral cover}: My SoundCloud page Some steel strings, some nylon. |
#41
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Seriously, welcome to the forum, wallacek. As you'll see, there is no end of great information on this great forum. And most of us have a great sense of humor! |
#42
|
|||
|
|||
I used to have Martin Silk & Steel strings on my Art & Lutherie Ami parlor. It was extremely comfortable to play and the sound was warm and pleasant to my ears. I gave the guitar to a retired Marine so he could give it to his grandson — He helped me with my taxes.
__________________
2015 Larrivee L-04 2016 Larrivee P-05 2015 Norman B20 1987 MIJ Fender Telecaster |
#43
|
|||
|
|||
I love 8 year old threads. Ahhh, the memories!
__________________
Phil Playing guitar badly since 1964. Some Taylor guitars. Three Kala ukuleles (one on tour with the Box Tops). A 1937 A-style mandolin. |
#44
|
|||
|
|||
Old thread yes, but tonight I just tried the M1400 Silk and Steel on a Martin 12 fret.
Before, I had Retro's (I do not like these strings on any guitar), D'addario EJ16 these were very good. The M-1400's just sounded great to me, I could really feel the lower tension which took a little bit to get used to. It's really nice when you find strings that are just right with a particular guitar. |
#45
|
|||
|
|||
I have used them when I was getting over an injured finger and wanted to get back into playing slowly with little stress on my fingers. They served me well for that. Now, post-injury, I just have other types of strings that serve me better in terms of tone and feel. As other folks have said, they excel with certain guitars and not with others. And that can be said of PB, nickels and 80/20s as well.
Best, Jayne |