Bright Guitar Solution/String Content

[rokdog49]

Frequently the question of how to tame an overly bright guitar has come up on the forum. I own a J15 that while not overly bright, is brighter than my ears like.
If this is something you encounter with a guitar, I highly recommend the GHS Silk and Bronze.
First, let me put your fears to rest. These are not dull-sounding strings. They are just “warmer” right out of the pack than any PB strings I have tried including the GHS Vintage strings. They have the same characteristics you like if you like PB’s, just not as bright.
They are also lower in tension and noticeably easier to fret.

[Kh1967]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

Frequently the question of how to tame an overly bright guitar has come up on the forum. I own a J15 that while not overly bright, is brighter than my ears like.
If this is something you encounter with a guitar, I highly recommend the GHS Silk and Bronze.
First, let me put your fears to rest. These are not dull-sounding strings. They are just “warmer” right out of the pack than any PB strings I have tried including the GHS Vintage strings. They have the same characteristics you like if you like PB’s, just not as bright.
They are also lower in tension and noticeably easier to fret.

Thank you for your thoughts!

How have you found the string life to be?

Thank you!

[Oldguy64]

I’ve been experimenting with nickel and Monel.
I’ve experienced a warming up of the guitars I’ve put them on.
I have them on my CF Journey, A spruce over Rosewood dread, an all laminate Maple NEX Takamine.
Now my dilemma is that I like them.
They are twice as expensive as my “goto” EJ26 sets.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by Kh1967

Thank you for your thoughts!

How have you found the string life to be?

Thank you!

You’re welcome!
Too early to tell.
I’ll post something after a while.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by Oldguy64

I’ve been experimenting with nickel and Monel.
I’ve experienced a warming up of the guitars I’ve put them on.
I have them on my CF Journey, A spruce over Rosewood dread, an all laminate Maple NEX Takamine.
Now my dilemma is that I like them.
They are twice as expensive as my “goto” EJ26 sets.

The GHS are around $7.75/set...not inexpensive but not bad.

[1Charlie]

I am getting Martin Monels for $8.99 per set, shipped.

My fingers kill uncoated PB's or 80/20's within a few hours. I have tried pertty much every string brand, coated and uncoated. While I used Elixer Nanowebs for a number of years, they were always too bright, too "stringy" for my taste.

The monels are not only warmer, they also stay fresh a long time.

[Oldguy64]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

The GHS are around $7.75/set...not inexpensive but not bad.

I have discovered that my local has a pricing method that if I buy three sets of Curt Mangan Monels they come in around there.

I like D’addario Nickels best. But not at $12 a set when I’m doing $5.50 for EJ16/26’s.

I have a set of reaaa-lly light GHS strings on one of my 12ers. And they sound pretty darn good.
Haven’t tried them on a six, as I prefer 11-52’s and 12-53’s.
GHS strings for 6-string are heavier or lighter than I prefer and I’ve not tried them in years....

[Klimski]

Can recommend LaBella silk and steel. Long lasting too!

[shekie]

In addition to being warmer sounding and taming the highs, are they significantly lower in volume than a typical PB set?

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by shekie

In addition to being warmer sounding and taming the highs, are they significantly lower in volume than a typical PB set?

Silk & Steels - yes.
Silk & Bronze - surprisingly no.

They play and feel like normal PB's ... only warmer with slightly less sustain.

[merlin666]

I am confused. The brightness of the guitar comes mainly from the plain strings, but discussion is about winding materials of bass strings. I think that using a thicker gauge might help with plain strings, but are there are also coating or material differences that affect brightness of these?

[TBman]

I'd like to try these, but I haven't had any luck finding mediums.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by TBman

I'd like to try these, but I haven't had any luck finding mediums.

I think some of the idea behind these strings is to get an easy playing light gauge string with a warm PB-like tone ... so mediums kind of defeats that purpose.

It might be worth giving the .012's a try.

I've used GHS and John Pearse - GHS a little warmer straight out the box but they're both similar and very good when the JP's settle in.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Silk & Steels - yes.
Silk & Bronze - surprisingly no.

They play and feel like normal PB's ... only warmer with slightly less sustain.

I find this to be the case for me as well.