string recomendations ?

[telboy]

Hi, i play 6 string lap, tuned to C6[CEGACE]...I've been/am using SCOTTYS C6 strings that i get direct from the usa, can someone recommend strings that i can use for a more jazzy style/sound...cheers terry

[Basil Henriques]

Telboy, those strings of Scotty's are far too light for the solid sound you aspire to, judging by "Just Jammin" Nos 1/2 , you don't pick too hard (although you're sitting very close to the edge.)

So:-
To start with go up two 'thou on the plain strings and four on the wound.
Up that is, from the Gauges of Scotty's LAP Steel C6th set.

If the machine heads on your guitar are in reasonably good shape, this SHOULD not present a problem.

[telboy]

thanks for the reply basil, could you reccomend a certain set of strings or even where i could buy said strings...terry...ps maybe i should have mentioned im playing a sx plank through a peavey 112 transtube 80W amp, all effects switched off with no treble/medium just full on bass...no volume pedal

[Basil Henriques]

The Ernie Ball Classics are very good, if you want flatwound, then the D'Addario flatwound strings will fit the bill.
The actual gauges depend on your guitar's scale length, your fingerpick gauge and your preferred string tension.

[telboy]

thanks again basil

[Basil Henriques]

Good, I'm presuming that you DID click the links to "Strings Direct" in my last post ?

Anyway the Gauges of Scotty's are
.015 E .018 C .022 A .024sf G .030sf E .036sf C

Definitely go up to :-
.017" E PLAIN
.020" C PLAIN
.022" A PLAIN
.026" G Wound
.032" E Wound
.038" C Wound
My choice would be D'Addario flatwound strings for the material you want to play.. For Hawaiian Style I would use Pure Nickel Wound..

[telboy]

Basil, i take it these are just normal guitar strings and not specifically made for lap steel, i was under the presumption you had to use specially made strings? £3.50 for 1 string? i can get a whole set of scottys for that terry

[Basil Henriques]

I agree about the price, but you get what you pay for. A steel Bar costing £25 isn't going to be as good as a Tribotone or a Zirconia Bar. It's the same with thumb and fingerpicks.

As for special made strings, AFAIK there are no specially manufactured steel guitar strings EXCEPT for the short twist strengthened .011 and similar PLAIN strings..
Almost all guitar strings are made by just a handful of companies and then re-badged as per requirement.

[Tony Russell Davis]

Terry - if cost is an issue you might have to compromise on the exact sound you're aiming at. With that in mind - and considering Basil's good advice - you could look at some string sets for 8 or even 10 string guitars. Made-up sets are always cheaper than the total of the individual strings, so if any sets have the right(ish) guages you'll probably find it cost-effective to buy one and dump the extras. I use a seven string C6th (like your tuning but adding a high G) and find the top 7 of a pedal steel set are fine for me (I use the spare strings on other things, so it's not such a waste in my case). Tony.

[Basil Henriques]

The problem we're faced with here is that it's a LAP STEEL, an entirely different animal to the pedal steel. The scale length is different (Shorter) and also Terry wants a more "Solid" tone than you'd get with normal gauges, therefore not only would a "Ready-Made-up" set be wrong but the gauges required for each note of C6th would be at the very least 3-4 'thou HEAVIER. A more Jazzier tone would be a reference to a "Softer" sound, and that's only available from tapewound (Flatwound) strings
The gauges I recommended are not easily found even in a made-up 10 string C6th set

Anyway the Gauges of Scotty's are
.015 E .018 C .022 A .024sf G .030sf E .036sf C

Definitely go up to :-
.017" E PLAIN
.020" C PLAIN
.022" A PLAIN
.026" G Wound
.032" E Wound
.038" C Wound
THESE gauges are just a starting point and personally for a 22.5" scale length I'd go one or two 'thou higher again.
As a matter of interest, Jerry Byrd used 0.017" for his first three strings, of course he had already mastered the trick of "Tone"..

Now, If 'Strings Here" has those gauges in his C6th sets then that would be the way to go JUST to check if the gauges suit... THEN you can decide about nickel or tapewound and then decide how often you wish to change them.. the norm is between 3 weeks and 5-6 at the outside.

If you aspire to a "professional" tone, then be prepared to adopt professional practises. (That includes paying the going rate for ancillaries)