Author Topic: Anybody here use Nickel strings?  (Read 2587 times)

soma89

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 32
Anybody here use Nickel strings?
« on: May 30, 2013, 08:14:09 AM »
Or have experience with em?

S MS Picker

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 412
Re: Anybody here use Nickel strings?
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2013, 06:14:11 PM »
I just put a set of the Martin, Tony Rice, monel strings on my 814ce 12 fret.. A different sound for sure. I tried all manners of strings on this guitar and they all sound really good. Just different. The monel strings don't have the bright initial attack sound as Ph. or bright bronze. Makes the 12 fret sound even more mature. Not sure if I'll like them as well after a few hours. Time will tell.
Steve
"99 414
2000 410Ce
"05 214
"06 410CE (short scale)
"10 814CE-LTD(fall)
"11 414CE-LTD(fall)
"11 412CE
"12 Custom GS  Adi/Hog

 -other-
"12 Eastman E20D
"? Silvertone (Sears) 2 lipstick tube PU electric

alembic54

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Re: Anybody here use Nickel strings?
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2014, 09:45:15 AM »
As far as I know the Tony Rice Monel set is more of a medium gauge string. Since the Taylor 14 series are braced for light gauge strings, have you had any issues? I just bought the Martin retro series light gauge strings for my 814ce.

Earl

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1912
  • Quando omni flunkus moritati
Re: Anybody here use Nickel strings?
« Reply #3 on: August 22, 2014, 10:13:42 AM »
I routinely use GHS White Bronze, which are nickle - intended to work better with magnetic pickups.  I discovered them many years ago, before there were coated strings on the market.  I use them as an alternate long life string on certain guitars.  When brand new they sound like three day old strings. but last for about 4-5 weeks sounding that same way for me.  YMMV.
Taylors:  424-LTD (all koa) and a 114ce that lives with friends in Alaska.  Low maintenance carbon fiber guitars are my "thing" these days, but I will always keep the koa 424.  Several ukulele and bass guitars too. 
*Gone but not forgotten:  a 2001 414ce, 410, 354-LTD twelve string, 314-N, 416-LTD baritone, T5 Classic, 615ce, 2006 GS-K, 1996 (first year) Baby

jimmyb

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 15
Re: Anybody here use Nickel strings?
« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2014, 10:22:11 PM »
I routinely use GHS White Bronze, which are nickle - intended to work better with magnetic pickups.  I discovered them many years ago, before there were coated strings on the market.  I use them as an alternate long life string on certain guitars.  When brand new they sound like three day old strings. but last for about 4-5 weeks sounding that same way for me.  YMMV.

GHS Bright Bronze are not nickel, they are 80/20 bronze.
http://www.ghsstrings.com/strings/acoustic/bright-bronze

Jimmy
The lefty kids:
Steel Strings:
Taylor Leo Kottke
Neil Gardiner Concert
Neil Gardiner Parlor
Avian Skylark
Voyage Air VAOM-04
Pono 0000-30SP

Nylon Stings:
Pavan TP-30 640
Ted Ramsay Classsical
Kremona Kiano
Aria A19C-200N

Archtops:
Eastman Pagelli PG2
Gretsch 1959 6120TV

And the ukuleles:
Nehemiah Covey Tenor (Goncalvo Alves)
Kanilea K1 Tenor (walnut)
Kanilea K3 Super Concert (koa)
Mainland Tenor (mahogany)
Kala Super Tenor (Spruce/Ziricote)
The Rebel "Double Creme" Super Concert (Mango)

Earl

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1912
  • Quando omni flunkus moritati
Re: Anybody here use Nickel strings?
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2014, 06:09:36 PM »
OK Jimmy, but the GHS White Bronze are mostly nickle (52% according to an internet search on Alloy 52.  A whole different string than what you listed.
http://www.ghsstrings.com/strings/acoustic/white-bronze
Taylors:  424-LTD (all koa) and a 114ce that lives with friends in Alaska.  Low maintenance carbon fiber guitars are my "thing" these days, but I will always keep the koa 424.  Several ukulele and bass guitars too. 
*Gone but not forgotten:  a 2001 414ce, 410, 354-LTD twelve string, 314-N, 416-LTD baritone, T5 Classic, 615ce, 2006 GS-K, 1996 (first year) Baby

drrohle

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 37
Re: Anybody here use Nickel strings?
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2014, 05:29:44 PM »
Haven't used Nickel but me and a buddy of mine did try a set of Martin (Eric Clapton's) last year, he owns a Martin D35.  About a month later, he came over and said "Man, my frets are wearing out like crazy".  I looked at mine and holy cow, they have some divits too! And only after 1 month of playing.
 :( :( :(
Well we both immediately switched brands. He went with a set of Dad's and I put some Earnie Ball Earthwood's on my 114CE. No additional fretware this whole last year, and we play a lot. Strings are lasting very well too.

Anyone else experienced this type of premature fretware? Is it possible we may have some "soft" frets?