Signature Guitar Strings?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 60's guy
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60's guy

60's guy

Well-known member
I understand it that many guitar companies eagerly manufacture signature guitars based upon the specs provided by famous guitar players who have modified their off the shelf guitars to achieve a "signature sound" of their own. And that's okay, but all of a sudden now, signature strings are are all the rage?
What am I missing?
 
If you buy the signature strings, they can do an upcharge and the artist makes extra money.
It's all money, money, money.
 
The strings aren't different than normal sets, it's usually a non-standard gauge set based on the preferences and/or tuning the artist uses.
 
Farview said:
The strings aren't different than normal sets, it's usually a non-standard gauge set based on the preferences and/or tuning the artist uses.
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Depending on the guitar, I lean toward Elixer Custom Lights, but I have also experimented with using different string to string gauges. Who knew! If only I was famous....
🤣
 
Farview said:
The strings aren't different than normal sets, it's usually a non-standard gauge set based on the preferences and/or tuning the artist uses.
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I don't know much about guitar strings, but I am a violinist and the strings we use are very high-tech in that regard -- it's no longer an "A" string, but it's an A440 string. There are some for slightly higher tunings too; ones optimized for lower tunings are aimed at the "baroque" crowd so are generally gut strings.
 
Same with guitar strings. If you are in a drop Bb tuning, having thicker strings is necessary. If you are in an open G or DADGAD tuning, assuming you have a guitar dedicated to the tuning, it will make sense to customize the string gauges to what you are trying to do.
 
There are places where you can buy bulk strings. Get a dozen of each string and make your own sets. If you break a lot of E strings, buy a dozen .009s, so you don't have to change a whole set just for snapping a string.
 
60's guy said:
I understand it that many guitar companies eagerly manufacture signature guitars based upon the specs provided by famous guitar players who have modified their off the shelf guitars to achieve a "signature sound" of their own. And that's okay, but all of a sudden now, signature strings are are all the rage?
What am I missing?
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Anyone can buy OEM strings in bulk from Martin or D’Addario and put their own labels on them. This has been true for decades.
 
Serendipity Records said:
I don't know much about guitar strings, but I am a violinist and the strings we use are very high-tech in that regard
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I have an Epiphone Emperor II Joe Pass jazz guitar. Naturally, I wanted flat wounds on it, so I did a little research. @Serendipity Records is right on with regard to hi end strings. I purchased a set of Thomastik-Infeld .012" flats. $35/set.
I am a dedicated user of D'Addario NYXLs. I will use Ernie Balls for experimentation, but when I find what I want, it's NYXLs.
But, as far as the BEST strings I've ever used, the T-I has no equal. Guitar strings are not their main product. These are very hi end strings for all stringed instruments, The catalogue is amazing.
They are certainly not for everyone, but they are applications specific, and there are no better.
 
They have been for a long time. Chet Atkins had signature Gretsch strings. Les Paul, Joe Perry, and Ace Frehley have all had Gibson strings over the years.
 
Old Music Guy said:
I have an Epiphone Emperor II Joe Pass jazz guitar. Naturally, I wanted flat wounds on it, so I did a little research. @Serendipity Records is right on with regard to hi end strings. I purchased a set of Thomastik-Infeld .012" flats. $35/set.
I am a dedicated user of D'Addario NYXLs. I will use Ernie Balls for experimentation, but when I find what I want, it's NYXLs.
But, as far as the BEST strings I've ever used, the T-I has no equal. Guitar strings are not their main product. These are very hi end strings for all stringed instruments, The catalogue is amazing.
They are certainly not for everyone, but they are applications specific, and there are no better.
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I use the D’Addario Chromes on my archtop guitars. I get these at OEM prices which makes them under $10.
 
Serendipity Records said:
But considering these are the exact strings I play on violin, the price is a welcome change from $165USD!!
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I played violin and cello when I was in grade school. As I recall, the strings were gut.
For some reason, I can't fathom metal strings on the 1714 Stradivarius violin that just sold for $10MM+
Stupid (but open minded) American!

EDIT: Seeing your earlier post about the "Baroque" crowd, now I understand.
 
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For years, I have used Fender pure nickel strings. Dynamax or 150 or whatever they called them. I was at Gibson last year and switched to their Historic strings, which I like.

Not a huge D'Addario fan, but they're fine. I just don't like stainless steel. I do use Ernie Ball on a Mosrite because the trem is beautiful with EB 9s, which someone told me years ago and it's true.

I've tried fancy strings and they're all fine and good until I need a set and don't have one. I do use Pyramids on my Rickenbackers and LaBella on bass.
 
I use Ernie Ball's, but just as test cases. I put 8s on an Epi Les Paul that I have. I dropped a set of Seymour Duncan Phat Cat P90s into that guitar and was interested in what I would get out of it with the 8s. Meh. Nice bends, but not the crunch that I would expect from P90s.

And I also have LaBella flats on my P Bass a la Jamerson. Those are the nuts! I still needed to put a damper on the bridge for recording. I shoved a piece of foam UNDER the strings rather than felt over as CK did. It works very nicely. Flat, but not dead.
 
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