Best Strings on a Golden Eagle?

[LuigiMcJazz]

One more question tonight about my new used Golden Eagle, what are your favorite strings on this model? 

I know this is highly subjective, but I think mine came with 10s on it, and though the guitar still sounds surpringly great, I'm looking forward to getting something new and heavier in place. 

I'm thinking some DR Pure Blues or TI 12s. 

Your thoughts on the best string choices on this model. 

 

Thanks,

[Vanschoyck]

The TI's are great strings, no doubt.  I used them for a number of years.  I also like the Elixir nano web and I use them on a Buscarino that I have.  But my main strings are D'addario EJ21, 12's, nickel round wound.  I just like the way they work with a variety of techniques.  I have to change them a little more often than the other choices, but I find they let me get my twang on if I want it, among other things.   

[LuigiMcJazz]

Cool. Thanks very much.

Yeah, the D'Addarios are always a good bet. I'm sure the 12s add a bit of volume to the acoustic sound as well. 

 

 

[Stringman]

Here's a thought on going to heavier gauge strings (and I am called the "stringman" for a reason, I've tried them all). 

Go up one gauge at a time on your guitar unless you're confident in a 2 gauge jump. When I'm changing gauges (and I often do) I'll go from 10's to 11's. From 11's to 12's if that is what is called for next. But, I never go from 10's directly to 12's. Just my 2 cents on the topic. 

As far as brands that I've used, TI's and Pure Blues are great strings. I have used and am using these brands. Pure Blues are my pick between the two. 

However, one under appreciated string that I've had GREAT LUCK with are the Dean Markley NickelSteel Signature strings in 11's. You didn't say if you're going with a wound 3rd string or not, but this is one set that did offer both strings in the same package. (I am not sure if they are doing that still. Worth checking out.) I have these on my Heritage H-576 and they are great strings. 

D'Addario EXL's are good and bright. D'Addario pure silver strings are good and will mellow out your tone over the EXL's. Had no luck with D'Angelico strings. Not crazy about the Elixir electrics for this type of guitar, but they do last longer.  Not crazy about Ernie Ball strings. 

Good luck with your search. 

Stringman

[pressure]

First decide how you want to play the guitar. I do not play Jazz in fact I'm lucky I can play any thing at all.

 I bought TI Jazz BeBop strings off the internet (on sale), don't ever buy any strings that are not on sale. The strings I bought were sold as Jazz strings but there was no indication that the 3rd was plain and not a wound string. I had never seen a Jazz string set that didn't have a wound 3rd. I put them on reluctantly but was suprised how easy they were to play. The plain 3rd string was easy to bend and suited my playing style better than a wound 3rd string. There was a decrease in acoustic volume but it was worth it, very comfortable. If you just pickup your guitar for a quick acoustic song, no problem. If you want more volume just plug into your favorite amp. I'm not recommending any particular string brand I just want you to evaluate your playing style and choose the strings that best suit your needs.

 

GHS Strings are the old strings with a wound 3rd, the TI Jazz BeBops are the new strings with a plain 3rd.

 

[TalismanRich]

I don't have a GE, only a lowly 525 and 535.  

When I was much younger, I like flatwounds but these days,  I prefer roundwounds for the sound.  Flats just don't have the "boing" that a roundwound has.  Almost all my guitars have plain 3rd, but on my Dearmond Starfire,   I have kept a wound third.   It seems to sound better on that guitar.

As for gauge,  the older I get, the lighter I seem to go.  I've gone to 9s on my Teles and will change the Strat next change.  

[tulk1]

I was going to say guitar strings  would be best. But, looks like others beat me to it. 

 

Carry on. 

[Gitfiddler]

It all depends on the sound you are after with your GE. 

Warm, mellow, jazzy = Flatwounds (12's or 13's). 

Bright yet mellow w/subtle overtones = Roundwounds or Halfrounds (11's or 12's)

Brands are a personal choice.  I like D'Addario Chromes, Tomastik Intfelds and LaBella.

 

 

[DC Ron]

TI 12's and 13's are what I'd recommend for jazz.  13's might sound like a handful, but when the guitar is set up properly, the difference is small.  Happy playing!

[LuigiMcJazz]

Thanks for all the replies. 

As far as playing style, I'm mostly into jazz. Being able to do it is another thread. A favorite player of mine is Johnny Smith, and I understand he used round wounds with a flatwound low e, often tuned to d, which I don't plan on emulating, not that I could...

I put on the next gauge up of roundwounds (11-50) to see how it responds, and am very happy with the acoustic sound by itself. 

I do like the round 3rd as I've heard it can help with tuning stability, and adds a bit to 4/4 rhythm playing, which is something I'm interested in. 

Regarding the 13s, a lot depends on what comes after of course. The D'Addario 10s share some gauges with the TI 12s. 

Anyway,  I'll try out some 12-52s next. 

Thanks,

 

[Kuz]

George Benson TIs are the only for me.  I like flatwounds, but TI also has a set of George Benson roundwound.  

I love the perfect custom 12 gauge he uses,  not the 14s.

[rwinking]

Flatwounds are the way to go on a Golden Eagle. When I think of Jazzy Guitar, I think of that classic big, warm mellow tone of an archtop with a warm tube amp and flatwounds. I have an L-5 Custom with a Johnny Smith floating humbucker as well as an H-575 and there is a big difference in sound when using flatwounds.

[Stringman]

The only thing about using flatwounds is that it truly limits the kind of music you can play with that guitar. Flats on my H-576 made it sound like any one of a hundred different Jazz guitars, but it would not sound like anything else. I prefer a guitar to be versatile (especially when it has multi pickups, though I believe you GE has only one). My ES-165 is loaded with Dean Markley Signature Roundwounds so that it can be mellow and a little bright for a variety of sounds. 

 

If jazz is the only thing you play or the only thing you'll play with that guitar, then flatwounds are the choice. Otherwise...................

 

[pressure]

The benefit of new flat wound strings is that you don't have to wait years to hear how they will sound when they go dead... they already are.