Trying a previously unknown string brand

[wileypickett]

Here's my initial report.

I put them on the guitar today. Packaging is nice and professional, with the strings sealed inside a reclosable heavy plastic sleeve:



They come coiled in two coils of three strings each. In each trio, the middle weight string of the three is identified with a little bead; so the 5th string has a little square bead marked A and the 2nd string has a little bead marked B.



Oddly, the package says "6 string set" and then gives details for a seven-string set:



The included pick is crap.

The presence of those little indicator beads is a red flag for me. The only place I've ever seen those before is in pictures of string sets made in China.

Some excellent classical guitar string makers also use tabs (not beads) to differentiate strings, so I wouldn't necessarily rule them out based on that alone.

 

[wileypickett]

Do tell!

I thought the Alice strings might go dead quickly, but they were so cheap I figured I'd give 'em a chance anyway. Mistake. The were miserable sounding from the minute I installed them: no projection, tinny sounding -- in short: no "oomph"!

 

[dwasifar]

Some excellent classical guitar string makers also use tabs (not beads) to differentiate strings, so I wouldn't necessarily rule them out based on that alone.

Yeah, I've seen that, but in this case I specifically meant these little square beads marked A and B.

 

[tonepoet]

I use GHS strings. They are still made here in the USA in my home state of Michigan.

From the GHS website:
"Since 1964, our factory in Battle Creek, Michigan, has been dedicated to producing top-tier guitar strings. While our reach is global, our values remain firmly grounded in the traditions of the American Midwest. We are fiercely independent and uphold a no-nonsense approach, believing in the importance of hard work, craftsmanship, and the transformative power of music."

As I recall, I think they are a small company with about 20 employees.

 

[dwasifar]

I use GHS strings. They are still made here in the USA in my home state of Michigan.

Which of their products do you favor? They've got a ton of different varieties.

 

[tonepoet]

Which of their products do you favor? They've got a ton of different varieties.

@dwasifar I use their 10-46 "Boomers" on all my electric guitars, what they call "BOOMERS™ 6-STRING - GBL SET - Light 10-46" on their website. (in the $7 range at many stores).

I use the Phosphor Bronze for acoustic.

I have not tried all the different styles. I have pretty much stayed with the Boomers for electric and Phosphor Bronze for acoustic for years.

 

[Br1ck]

Strings are about the last thing I'd economize on. I'm using mostly Martin Lifespans phosphor bronze these days. Regular D'Addiarios are a good uncoated brand. I'd say the Lifespans last at least a hundred hours. I've learned to change them sooner than later.

 

[adorshki]

Strings are about the last thing I'd economize on. I'm using mostly Martin Lifespans phosphor bronze these days. Regular D'Addiarios are a good uncoated brand. I'd say the Lifespans last at least a hundred hours. I've learned to change them sooner than later.

I used to eke around 40-50 hours out of Ej-16's, but they were pretty well notched up by then, and the "sweet spot" was really only from around a couple to 25 or maybe 30 hours.

 

[tonepoet]

they were pretty well notched up by then

That's usually when I change electric strings. When I can feel notches on the back of the strings from the frets.

 

[dwasifar]

I've adopted a 30-day turn on the acoustics, more or less. Sometimes I let them go longer if I'm not playing that guitar much that month.

 

[dwasifar]

Follow-up on the Pitbull strings: They are losing their zip pretty fast. I don't think they're going to make it through my customary 30 days.

 

[kbraker]

Musicians Gear from MF (their house brand ) are $5 a set and are pretty good when they settle in.

 

[davenumber2]

Musicians Gear from MF (their house brand ) are $5 a set and are pretty good when they settle in.

You can buy a 10 pack for 39.99, an even better deal and they sound just fine. Not my main string but I use them sometimes.

 

[dwasifar]

Musicians Gear from MF (their house brand ) are $5 a set and are pretty good when they settle in.

You can buy a 10 pack for 39.99, an even better deal and they sound just fine. Not my main string but I use them sometimes.

They only seem to have 80/20 though.

 

[Canard]

Riffing on Mirrors and Fashion:

O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!
The courtier's, soldier's, scholar's, eye, tongue, sword,
Th' expectation and rose of the fair state,
The glass of fashion and the mould of form,
Th' observ'd of all observers, quite, quite down!

 

[chazmo]

Musicians Gear from MF (their house brand ) are $5 a set and are pretty good when they settle in.

Oh that's really interesting! I might have to try those. I didn't know Musician's Friend had a house brand!

 

[davenumber2]

They only seem to have 80/20 though.

This is true. I guess I didn't think much about it as I tend to prefer 80/20's.

 

[dwasifar]

O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!

Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.

 

[dwasifar]

Today the Pitbull strings come off.

Final analysis: They're good. They toned down quickly but then stayed stable after that, and have a good balance. I'd probably leave them on, but it's time to try the next thing.

Rating: 4 of 5. Would buy again, if they were a little less expensive.

 

[C.W.Wolf]

Musicians Gear from MF (their house brand ) are $5 a set and are pretty good when they settle in.

Funny you mention the MF strings. I just pulled out my last set of 80/20s and was thinking I needed to order some more. I think it is time to teach the Granddaughter how to properly restring a guitar.