#1
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12-string strings recommendation?
I replaced the stock strings on my entry level Guild F-2512E with D'Addario extra lights. Mistake, they sound very tinny and even worse when it's plugged in. Going back to regular lights but would like to spend a bit more for an upgrade, what do you use?
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#2
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I think I have Elixir nano PB on my maple/spruce Guild jumbo 12 (JF30-12). I've been trying the Martin Retro 12-string set on my Seagull dread sized cedar topped 12.
I disklike restringing a 12 twice as much as restringing a 6 string guitar -- and that's compounded by not liking the sound of fresh strings on a 12-string even more than on a 6. The extra overtones always seem to clash to my ear. One thing I like about Elixirs then is that they quickly settle down and then I don't have to change them again for a good while.* If there's a "coated strings muffle the overtones" effect, that's a feature not a bug for me with 12-strings. I disliked the Retros on the Seagull right after installing. Time is moving me more toward considering them. This "unpleasant at first, but give them a 2 to 4 hours playing time factor with Retros is something others have noticed, and again after they settle down the shelf life seems high for Monel/Retro strings. * I own 4 twelve strings, the Guild, the Seagull, and old cheap all laminated one from the 70s, and my DeArmond solid body electric one. Like some other 6 and 12 string players I play my 12 strings maybe 10% of the time (and then that 10% is split 4 ways), but I like that 10% and don't consider than an issue. The set of Elixirs on my Guild is likely a year or so old, but I know what I'll be getting when I take it out of the case.
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----------------------------------- Creator of The Parlando Project Guitars: 20th Century Seagull S6-12, S6 Folk, Seagull M6; '00 Guild JF30-12, '01 Martin 00-15, '16 Martin 000-17, '07 Parkwood PW510, Epiphone Biscuit resonator, Merlin Dulcimer, and various electric guitars, basses.... |
#3
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12-string strings recommendation?
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I have two Taylor 12 string guitars, both with large body sizes. I use Elixir PB 12 string light gauge on both. (.010 - .047). While they certainly work great for me, I do not know how they will play on a Guild 12 string. But I use Elixirs on all my guitars, including my non-Taylor J-200s, and like the results. (The J-200s are all heavily built, while the Taylors have a much lighter build and weight, especially the 458e-R Grand Orchestra; also easily the potentially loudest guitar I have.) In addition, it doesn't hurt that these coated strings last a long time and don't require constant string changing. Changing strings on a 12 can be a bit of a chore. I also don't use a pick, but fingerpick all my instruments using my nails as picks. This also works well with the sound and tends to lessen the wear on strings. Out of an old habit going back to the '60s, I tune my 12s down a semi-tone to D#, and also keep one in DADGAD intevals. Just another player's opinions, but I've been doing this a while and have tried an awful lot of strings over the years. And many of those actually were truly awful. Edit ==> FrankHudson's post was not up when I started this, but he brings up another issue about new strings that I will totally agree with. I do not like the fresh string sound much either, and Elixirs almost immediately lose that. And better yet they don't aurally deteriorate much further over their life span until they're 'just dead' (as Arnold said in 'Commando'). And even then they don't require an immediate re-string. Especially on a 12. You can easily guess how I know that. Don .
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*The Heard: 85 Gibson J-200 sitka/rosewood Jumbo 99 Taylor 355 sitka/sapele 12 string Jmbo 06 Alvarez AJ60S englmn/mpl lam med Jmbo 14 Taylor 818e sitka/rosewood Grand Orchestra 05 Taylor 512ce L10 all mahogany Grand Concert 09 Taylor all walnut Jmbo 16 Taylor 412e-R sitka/rw GC 16 Taylor 458e-R s/rw 12 string GO 21 Epiphone IBG J-200 sitka/maple Jmbo 22 Guild F-1512 s/rw 12 string Jmbo Last edited by donlyn; 07-03-2022 at 10:56 AM. |
#4
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I use D'Addario EXP38 PB light gauge sets on my Guild F-512. They are a little bright when brand new, but after a few weeks they are about perfect. Since these strings are coated I leave them on for about a year.
- Glenn
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#5
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John Pearse 1300L (80/20 Bronze Lights) or 1400L (Phosphor Bronze Lights). Newer Guilds can also be tuned up to standard.
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Kevin Krell, Executive Director, International Traditional Music Society, Inc. A non-profit 501c3 charity/educational public benefit corporation Wooden Flute Obsession CDs https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=572579 |
#6
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I started out with Elixir Nanowebs 10,s and hated them. |
#7
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Another vote for Martin Retro Monels, especially - as IME I've found with the Guild F-2512E (and my own Rainsong 12-string) - your guitar tends toward the bright side...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#8
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I also really liked D'Addario Nickel Bronze on my Guild F-412 - but last time I recommended them someone else here on the AGF tried them on their maple 12-string and hated them!
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Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#9
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Quote:
Killed my H&D maple 12 to the point I did't want to play it. They settled down after a few weeks (or maybe I just got used to them), but back to good old PBs for me - either D'Addario or Elixir. |
#10
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Quote:
The maple F-412 is a heavily built 17" lower bout super jumbo with an unbraced arch back - probably quite different to your H&D.
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Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#11
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#12
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I'm intrigued by low tension 12 string sets. Planning to try out GHS and DR Rare:
https://www.ghsstrings.com/products/...ns/11674-light https://www.stringsandbeyond.com/drraphbr12st.html |
#13
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Quote:
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Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#14
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Yup! Ordering takes some time and I've had success with DR Rares. Certainly another option though.
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#15
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Another vote for Martin Retro's 10-47, sound great on the Guild D-1212 right away.
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Herman |