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  #1  
Old 05-03-2022, 12:33 PM
DebbieE DebbieE is online now
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Default McPherson Sable strings...

What strings do you all like to use on your Sable? I still have the original strings on and am thinking of switching to Martin Retro or Martin Lifespan.
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Old 05-03-2022, 01:24 PM
tbeltrans tbeltrans is offline
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For my Sable, I am using Elixir HD Lights. They sound OK and they last a long time. I am reasonably sure others have other recommendations.

I am not one who is fanatical about strings. I just use what is most convenient. Since I already had these laying around for my Taylors, I figured it was easier to just grab these than to have to shop around for strings.

Tony
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Old 05-03-2022, 01:57 PM
jdinco jdinco is offline
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Hello Debbie, I have tried a lot of different strings on my Sable, but keep coming back to the Elixir nano HD lights also. The D'Addario NB's weren't too bad, so maybe the Retro's would work, I am not a fan of the Retros on most guitars. I know I had Lifespans on it at one time, but don't remember how they were. Please let us know how it goes !
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Old 05-03-2022, 04:15 PM
DebbieE DebbieE is online now
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I may just put the Elixir phosphor bronze lights on my Sable. The store that sold me the guitar actually sent me a 3 pack of those strings with the guitar when I got it a year ago. I think the Sable actually comes with mediums' on it? I am going to switch the saddle to the lower one they give you and try the lights. I'll see how I like the sound/tone.

thanks,

Debbie
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  #5  
Old 05-03-2022, 04:38 PM
tbeltrans tbeltrans is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DebbieE View Post
I may just put the Elixir phosphor bronze lights on my Sable. The store that sold me the guitar actually sent me a 3 pack of those strings with the guitar when I got it a year ago. I think the Sable actually comes with mediums' on it? I am going to switch the saddle to the lower one they give you and try the lights. I'll see how I like the sound/tone.

thanks,

Debbie
For me, playability is more important than tone unless the guitar really sounds awful (in which case I probably would not have bought it). My Sable had the lower saddle already on it and the HD Lights have lights for the bottom 3 strings (E, A, D) and medium for the top 3 (G B E).

Other than the Elixirs, I use D'Addario EJ-16 on my guitars too. I think those are like the 3 sets you got with your guitar. They will probably be a bit louder than coated strings, I would think.

Tony
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Old 05-03-2022, 04:59 PM
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When I put the low saddle in, I also removed the rubber pad under the saddle. Since I don't plug in, it didn't matter to me, it's there to balance out the pu. I took the saddle down even lower, the guitar has very low action with no buzzing. A real joy for me to play.
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Old 05-03-2022, 06:22 PM
BlueStarfish BlueStarfish is offline
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I find my ears prefer on my Sable strings that are a little brighter. Have made various treated 80/20's work (Ernie Ball, Martin, others). Also the Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze seemed to do OK. All in medium gage.

Have also tried P/B's and monels and didn't favor those as much on that guitar.

Raising the action slightly with a shim also helped in terms of volume. The guitar shipped with a fairly low action and I prefer my guitars to have action on the medium-high side to get a little more volume before buzzing.
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Old 05-03-2022, 07:39 PM
tbeltrans tbeltrans is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdinaz View Post
When I put the low saddle in, I also removed the rubber pad under the saddle. Since I don't plug in, it didn't matter to me, it's there to balance out the pu. I took the saddle down even lower, the guitar has very low action with no buzzing. A real joy for me to play.
That is an interesting thought since I don't really need to plug in. However, I already have my action as low as I can go without buzzing. One thing I did was deepen the nut slots just a bit, and that really helped fretting at the first fret. I posted on that in this sub-forum a while back.

Tony
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Old 05-04-2022, 09:54 PM
buzzardwhiskey buzzardwhiskey is offline
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DR Sunbeams

I've tried a dozen or more brands and models. To me, the DRs bring out the least "CF hyper-jangle".
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Old 05-05-2022, 07:54 AM
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David Eastwood David Eastwood is online now
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Originally Posted by buzzardwhiskey View Post
DR Sunbeams

I've tried a dozen or more brands and models. To me, the DRs bring out the least "CF hyper-jangle".
What is “CF hyper-jangle”?
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Old 05-05-2022, 05:25 PM
jdinco jdinco is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David Eastwood View Post
What is “CF hyper-jangle”?
That would be a Rainsong with 80/20 strings....
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Old 05-05-2022, 06:06 PM
tbeltrans tbeltrans is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David Eastwood View Post
What is “CF hyper-jangle”?
With wood guitars, it is called "jibber jabber", a jangly sound that fits in well with country enthusiasts.

This moment of nonsense was made possible by the good folks at AGF.

Tony
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  #13  
Old 06-08-2022, 06:43 AM
raydasilva raydasilva is offline
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Default Sable Strings

I've been looking for the right gauge for my Sable. I tried light strings with the high starting at 0.10, 0.11 and 0.12. Right now, I have an Elixr Nanoweb set with the high E of 0.13. I think that is a medium set but I have it tuned down a whole step.

I like the sound and the decreased tension. I capo up two frets if I want to be in standard tuning but I can go down a half or whole step to suit my voice on certain songs.

I really like how the carbon fiber guitars accomodate alternate tunings without as much fuss as wooden ones.

I have an Emerald Virtuo on order right now.
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Old 06-08-2022, 07:48 AM
jdinco jdinco is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raydasilva View Post
I've been looking for the right gauge for my Sable. I tried light strings with the high starting at 0.10, 0.11 and 0.12. Right now, I have an Elixr Nanoweb set with the high E of 0.13. I think that is a medium set but I have it tuned down a whole step.

I like the sound and the decreased tension. I capo up two frets if I want to be in standard tuning but I can go down a half or whole step to suit my voice on certain songs.

I really like how the carbon fiber guitars accomodate alternate tunings without as much fuss as wooden ones.

I have an Emerald Virtuo on order right now.
Welcome to the forum Ray !
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Old 06-08-2022, 10:36 AM
steelvibe steelvibe is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raydasilva View Post
I've been looking for the right gauge for my Sable. I tried light strings with the high starting at 0.10, 0.11 and 0.12. Right now, I have an Elixr Nanoweb set with the high E of 0.13. I think that is a medium set but I have it tuned down a whole step…


I really like how the carbon fiber guitars accomodate alternate tunings without as much fuss as wooden.


Seems like a great solution! While I don’t own a Sable I’ve played one. It does have a dark tone for CF (which I like) but also has some natural compression. Seems that since McPherson ships with mediums they would also be recommended.

I agree with that last statement too- no fuss!
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