Santa Cruz low tension parabolic strings
 

Anyone use them? $18. Really?

Yes.They are very nice, exceptional feel and tone, and expensive. They do last a long time.

goufous

I've tried them twice.

When they first came out, I put them on a Martin CEO-7 and didn't care for them. They sounded subdued, especially in the bass, like there wasn't enough tension to drive the top of a short scale guitar (which already involves less string tension).

Much more recently (as of two weeks ago) I put a set on my Huss & Dalton T-0014 (which is also short scale BUT has a much more responsive top than the CEO-7) and I really like the tone. They're warm and bloom nicely.

However, these string feel a bit strange to me. Kinda tacky. In fact, when I first put them on, the wound strings squeaked a little when playing with bare fingers. That goes away after a week or so, but I can definitely see how the feel of these strings might bother some folks

I use the mid tensions on my OM-42 and SCGC OM, and I like the low tensions on my OM-18A. They do last much longer than EJ-16s but not as long as Elixirs however I like the feel much better than Elixirs. Sound-wise to my ears they're close to EJ-16s when EJ-16s are at their best like just after the too-bright newness wears off but before they start to degrade. That sweet spot lasts for a week on EJ-16s but more like two months on the Santa Cruz strings so price wise they are similar but less time is spent changing strings. I'm generally happy with EJ-16s but it's nice to have an excuse to drive downtown and visit the SCGC folks and pick up a few sets.

Does anyone know in what way they are "parabolic?" Or is that hyperbole?

Yes, that's my fav strings. They last longer than anything that I've tried so far and love the sound. However, I do use JP PB lights and D'Addario Nickel Bronze lights sometimes.

Parabolic can mean "expressed in parables". Sounds about right to me. :)

There are many good strings for well under $10 per pack. I see no need to spend $18.

LOL Hyperbolic parabolic strings. That's quite conical. :D

See https://www.santacruzguitar.com/shop...s-low-tension/

"Santa Cruz Strings are engineered to do what others cannot, to put the exact tension on each individual string to create the appropriate download pressure. These calculated tensions determine the optimal relative volume between strings, or EQ, for your instrument. Santa Cruz Strings require precise core to wrap ratios and precision fit and finish for unprecedented tolerances of one half of one thousandths of an inch. This accurately determines the tension/volume of each string to the exact EQ that your guitar was designed for."

Written by yet another marketing yo-yo. Basically what they did, apparently, is play with the relative strings gauges from low E to high E and made them a little different than what is is usual. Maybe 'parabolic' means the tension is a little lower in the middle (or higher).

In any case, "optimal" tension and volume per string is a very subjective thing, and varies from guitar to guitar. Even though you can play with individual string gauges to better match your guitar and personal preferences, stating that "...this accurately determines the tension/volume of each string to the exact EQ that your guitar was designed for" is just another blurb of marketing yada-yada. There is a lot of bla bla in guitar marketing lately - don't fall for it.

On their website they don't explain what 'parabolic' means nor why it would be better. They don't even provide string tension numbers! Clearly marketing managers in action. I wonder if they even play guitar.

Lol, I'm going to track down the string tension for these and Martin's flexible cores and see what's what.

Santa Cruz strings were designed with the help of Roger Siminoff, who sells his own version under the name "Straight Up Strings."

Siminoff offers an information sheet on their design. Here's the link.

http://siminoff.net/cms/wp-content/u...itar_FINAL.pdf

Compared with Newtone Heritage?
 

Has anyone who uses these strings also used Newtone Heritage low tension strings, and if so, how do they compare?

Not too unprecedented in the wire-drawing world. On a.012" E string, half a thousandth is 4% of its diameter. They better produce much lower tolerances than that! As you said, marketing managers in action!

The Santa Cruz strings are ok. The low E stands out some. On my D35 Honduran they sound fine. Really about the same as LaBella PB mediuns I usually use. Can't say how long they will last yet. I may like them better on a different guitar. I'll try then on my Frog. That guitar likes Newtones...a lot. I thought the Newtones a little dull sounding on my Rockbridge and Martin. The Rockbridge DDS likes the Ball aluminum/bronze. Go figure. Of course your results may vary