My impression was that they'll be following up with another email.
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Online form for Nickel Bronze Strings Beta Test
I just submitted mine.
I like the strings tonal balance.
I just sent in my survey. My only suggestion was to get a little more bottom end on the G strings, they sound a little weak to me. Other than that I thing they got a winner here.
Thanks Jim,,,done!
Just got mine today, looking forward to putting them on my webber.
I tried the Bush monels a few years ago and dismissed them because of the G string. I hope they can make that improvement, if they do I will using them instead of my GHS A270's.
Installed mine this morning before work haven't had the time to play them yet. Everyone's likes are different. What I liked about Monels, was the dark thumpy tone of the wound strings, at least on my Dearstone which is very "bright" mandolin. As I said I haven't played the New strings yet but I'm hoping is has a degree of that sound on the wound strings. No string suits every mandolin or every picker.
I've played my set hard for about 10 days now. They still sound great. I really like the feel of these strings and I seem to get around the neck with very little friction. I have played J-75s forever and so last night i put on an 11.5 and a 16 on the E and A. To me that is the perfect set. Great even tension across the strings that you can really dig into. Went to a large outdoor jam last night and had a couple of pickers that I often play with tell me that my mandolin has never sounded better. My mandolin cut through very well with these strings. I think the tone is similar to the J-75 but a tad darker. These are good strings for my Master Model. If hope they come out in gauges similar to the J-75s
Finally got around to putting my set on a few minutes ago. (I hate changing strings). So far I really like them. They feel smoother. Tone is brighter than the heavy D'Addario coated strings I had on before for about a month- to be expected with a brand-new set. I'll give them a few days before I submit my info to D'Addario, but I really like them already.
I guess since I started changing boatloads of strings when I worked at a store, I have never understood the "I hate changing strings" thing. The reward has always been worth it for me.
It's not hard, the more you do it the easier it becomes!
One more part of learning about these infectious instruments!
Goose2- THAT IS EXACTLY the kind of information I wanted to hear, how they sound when you really put the spurs to them! Aside from the plain steel gauging, they get Right in there, cool!
I really liked three big things before I even played the strings.
First, each pair of strings has a colored piece of tape holding them together. The different colors identify which string pair is which. The strings pull out easily from the tape but it made choosing each string pair very easy.
Second, the loops are larger than the other strings I've had in the past. On some string sets I've had to "open up" the loop with a sharpened pencil. These were super easy to put on.
Third, the full set of strings come in a sealed plastic bag so they should be like new whenever you open them. Other strings are packaged in paper envelopes in a paper box and can absorb humidity over time. I think this could be an issue if you were to buy 10 sets of strings to use over a multi-year period.
After a month or so with these, (I got mine early at Greyfox). They seemed to get dull more quickly and feel a little stiffer than J74EXPs. Maybe its just the color :). I need to use the EXPs again and see if I still like them better.
I am also going to put a set of EXP74CMs on again before I send my final comments in.
I played a small outdoor gig last night and I felt like overall they were quieter and not cutting through as well, but every gig is different and we were all a bit rusty so I might just blame that on the banjo player. :))
I finally had a full complement at my jam this week, it definitely didn't feel like I lost any cut.
I said before these were "heavier" strings but they are not heavier than what I play, don't know why I typed that. When putting them on I felt the tension was higher. This is not a bad thing and probably makes up for diameter in the G string. The e string is not buzzing in the slots either. I've played "nickel" strings before and there was something I liked but they lacked something. These strings are a little light on the G string tone when it is OPEN. But when fretted it is just as good if not better. Am I hearing things(or not hearing things) old man.
I played a gig with these. I've I REALLY LIKE them. I like the sound on this mandolin (F5 Fern) I think they are a good match for it. I would purchase more! They have good punch-biting-cut to them, along with some thump to them. I would like to know when production starts. Today I'm ready. Lets see how they last, which for me is usually a LONG time, as I don't change strings much, and don't usually mind the dead sound. I mind when they can't be easily tuned anymore. Enough for now.
GTison,
No you're not hearing things. The G string is a 39 and it is a bit on the weak side. If they made it a 41, then it would have a little more bark..
I also think these sound great on my Yellowstone. I like the clarity and the sustain. I sent a PM to Don Dawson at D'Addario as to when they might come on the market. He thought the earliest would be in the first quarter of 2017. I hope they fast track them.
To paraphrase Wake Frankfield: I been whoopin' these strings like a mule for a week or so. Descriptions of tone and sound are always so difficult due to the specifics of each situation: tonewoods, bracing, the room, etc. but I'll try and give my impressions.
I usually play some form of EXP's, lately the Thile set (I know, fan boy...what can I say). These new strings are quite a bit darker and "thunkier" than what I'm used to and I really enjoy it. The mandolin is trebly enough so I think this is a good thing. In a way like TI's & the Bush monels these pull a really nice woody tone that's not interfered with a lot of ringy overtones like with PB. Perhaps not as loud as PB...remind me a lot of the GHS silk & steel set (but louder for sure). I would like a beefier A & E because my BRW seems to prefer them.
I could see these becoming my string of choice I've been so impressed.