Silk and Bronze

[Skip Ellis]

Anyone tried the GHS (or other) silk & bronze strings? Thinking of putting them on my custom Brook Lyn short scale to lower the tension some. Not sure what's on it now but it seems 'stiff'.

[Jim in TC]

Originally Posted by Skip Ellis

Anyone tried the GHS (or other) silk & bronze strings? Thinking of putting them on my custom Brook Lyn short scale to lower the tension some. Not sure what's on it now but it seems 'stiff'.

Not bronze, but I am a big fan of silk and steel from Thomastik-Infeld, Plectrums. Pricey but durable, they are more different, in a good way, from any other string I have tried. Mellow, low tension, a bit less volume.

[lkjjr]

I’ve used both silk and steel and bronze and steel, from GHS, D’Addario and Martin. Lower tension (for aging hands) was the impetus for departing from traditional Phosphor Bronze strings that I had enjoyed using for decades.

I play a ‘72 Martin D35S (12 fret dread without truss rod) and had used “Nashville” sets (medium bottoms, light gauge high strings) for many, many years. These lighter tension “silk and” strings have a wonderful sweetness on this guitar and are excellent for finger picking with a light touch. The bronze and silk seem slightly warmer to my ears.

Can’t say that any of these 3 manufacturer’s sets stand out remarkably from the others. If forced to “name the best” the GHS might win by a nose over the others. Costs wise all 3 are competitive. Personal experience is where it’s at though, and at their relatively modest cost, I gave them all a try. Wouldn’t be disappointed with any of them...

[DownUpDave]

I have had the GHS Silk and Bronze in 12-54 on a Larrivee L-01 with good results. They do have less tension a warm sweet sound and a bit less volume. I am not an agressive player so that wasn't an issue

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by DownUpDave

I have had the GHS Silk and Bronze in 12-54 on a Larrivee L-01 with good results. They do have less tension a warm sweet sound and a bit less volume. I am not an agressive player so that wasn't an issue

This has been my experience also.
Best,
Jayne

[J Patrick]

I’m a fan of the JP silk&bronze strings. I use them on my old Gibson LG-2 3/4. Warm sweet and very comfy under the fingers. Great for a light touch…not so much for digging in.

[fwphoto]

Originally Posted by J Patrick

I’m a fan of the JP silk&bronze strings. I use them on my old Gibson LG-2 3/4. Warm sweet and very comfy under the fingers. Great for a light touch…not so much for digging in.

I like the JPs, as well. I go with the 610LM light/mediums on my CS 00-18. They are my go-to strings on that guitar. I tried the GHS version because I do use them on my mandolin but, IMO, find the Pearse Bronze & Silk to be better in every way on my 00-18.

Frank

[Godfather]

I have tried the GHS Silk and Bronze 11-49 on my Huss & Dalton Adi over Hounduran Hog 000 12 fret but found them a bit too bright for my liking on that guitar.
On my Taylor 322 12 fret (Hog over Taz Blackwood) they are wonderful. Mellow sweet sounding, easy to play, good life span.

Give them a try.

[A.Wilder1]

I've been string chasing for the better part of two years now and have tried only one Silk and Bronze set - John Pearse.

Anything is worth a shot but I found them sounding too 'muddy' overall on my Waterloo. I would much rather have John Pearse's PB in a lighter gauge if I wanted less tension. Or better yet some Thomastik-Infeld Spectrum Bronze which I find a superior string in that category.

Good luck and have fun!

[rmoretti49]

Compared to silk and steel strings, the bronze and silk sound closer to standard phosphor bronze, in my opinion. However, if lower tension is the aim, the silk and steel are lower tension compared to the bronze and silk (and the latter are still significantly lower than standard phosphor bronze).

Why not also look into lower tension strings in general?

[rokdog49]

I’ve used the GHS Silk and Bronze several times.
I like them on my J15 as they tame a bit of the brightness.

[Taylorcrazy]

Originally Posted by Jim in TC

Not bronze, but I am a big fan of silk and steel from Thomastik-Infeld, Plectrums. Pricey but durable, they are more different, in a good way, from any other string I have tried. Mellow, low tension, a bit less volume.

Thomastik-Infield +1

[Brucebubs]

Silk & Steel have a soft feel, warm tone - yes, Plectrums are the ultimate with these 12-56 LaBella the best of the rest.



Silk & Bronze feel and play much more like regular PB strings - but a warmer tone (but not as warm as Silk & Steel to my ear) and a little less volume.

I found GHS and John Pearse are both good.

[Lillis]

I just did my first restring on my new 362ce 12 string. I put GHS silk and bronze 11-49’s on it. I’m loving them so far. I liked the original Elixir’s but the silk and bronze are richer and fuller sounding. Seem to have better note separation too.

[Wellington]

Yes, recently had the GHS lights silk and bronze on my dread, I thought they were nice, not nearly as different sounding as I was expecting, very pb like, but good.