Gretsch strings

[JeffS]

Is anyoune having trouble finding the Gretsch Chet Atkins strings (10-48)? I've been told by a dealer that Gretsch has discontinued them; also, D'Addario doesn't offer the 18, 28, or 38 Pure Nickel wound strings in singles.

[Ray Bohlken]

I once bought some single strings from Elderly Instuments that were D'Addario, but I didn't know the brand name until they got here. I checked on the Elderly site and they have single strings of those dimension, but you'd have to check with them via email or something to see what brand they were, because the web site doesn't specify. Here are links to the single strings. I hope they're what you want.
Ray

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/NB018.htm

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/NB028.htm

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/NB038.htm

[JeffS]

Thanks Ray,

I'll check that out. I wander if those are pure nickel round wound or nickel plated round wound. Like you said about the brand, the description doesn't say.

[Norm]

We touched on this topic before...

You're better off finding a string set close to what you like with a company that pretty much only makes strings and going from there. Gretsch has never made their own strings, consequently they'll do a special run and drop them without warning.

[guitarchuck]

Yep, Norm warned us of this! Looks like a couple of the big Gretsch dealers bought the remaining stock of the Chet Atkins strings. They have been selling then on Ebay by the set or 10 sets. I love the pure nickle strings- but they are tough to find in those gauges. Fender brand sold pure nickel in those gauges. I bought them in singles a while back.

[Norm]

This is from telecaster.com. I can't vouch for the authenticity but, according to one of their posters this is the current list of popular string makers... It looks like only Fender, Gibson and Martin are the only companies "rolling their own"

1. Professor String - USA - (proof: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbizZatTilU)
2. Thomastik-Infeld - Austria - (proof: http://www.thomastik-infeld.com/glob...er/fo_tg01.jpg)
3. D'Addario - USA - (proof: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiohQ...eature=related)
4. LaBella/E.O. Mari - USA - (proof: http://www.labella.com/factory.html)
5. Rotosound - UK - (proof: James How with John Entwistle in the factory http://www.rotosound.com/Portrait_f5.jpg)
6. Pyramid - Germany - (proof: Listed as a Birkmaier winding equipment client.)
7. Gibson - USA - (proof: Second-oldest guitar string maker in the USA http://www.gibson.com/press/strings/GSOE.html)
8. Ernie Ball - USA - (proof: New string making facility announced in 2006 http://www.usajobs.org/viewarticle.j...39851027493607)
9. GHS - USA - (proof: http://www.ghsstrings.com/support_faq.php)
10. Yamaha - Japan - (proof: YMMI Indonesia factory tour in January 2008 Guitarist Magazine)
11. Fender - USA/Mexico - (proof: http://picasaweb.google.com/meridian...actoryTour2006)
12. Dunlop - USA - (proof: TBA)
13. Peavey - USA - (proof: Mapes client list at http://www.mapeswire.com/specialtywire.html)
14. D'Aquisto - USA - (proof: Mapes site at http://www.mapeswire.com/specialtywire.html)
15. Black Diamond - USA - (proof: Mapes site at http://www.mapeswire.com/specialtywire.html)
16. Vinci - USA - (proof: Mapes site at http://www.mapeswire.com/specialtywire.html)
17. Elixir - USA - (proof: The Gore Corporation has string winding equipment made by a division of Engineered Machine Products)
18. S.I.T. - USA - (proof: Company history of Bob and Virgil and a factory in Ohio)
19. Newtone Strings - UK - (proof: http://www.newtonestrings.com/mechanics.htm)
20. Cleartone - USA - (proof: Facility in Los Angeles)
21. Martin - USA - (proof: Factory photo http://www.guitarspecialist.com/imag...tintour009.JPG and a quote by Chris Martin IV
22. Dean Markley (manufacturing facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan)
23. DR Strings, (facility in Emerson, NJ)
24. Curt Mangan, (facility in Cortez, Colorado)
25. Wyres Strings, (tentative listing, some vidence they're made in Canada at website)

[RonBloor]

Hi Norm, I'm not sure that I understand why you are saying that Fender, Gibson and Martin are the only roll-your-own strings companies.. I assume you mean the only guitar manufacturing companies that RTO.. What about Ernie Ball for instance. Aren't they making Music Man equipment?? Godin isn't on that list, but they probably don't make their own.. etc.. Lots of bad links as well... but interesting information none the less. Thanks.

[Norm]

I did mean of the major guitar manufacturers making their own strings Fender, Martin and Gibson are about it.

This was directly addressing the issue of Gretsch suddenly releasing 'Chet Atkins strings' (for which they charged a Whopping Big Price initially) and suddenly dropping them.

My contention, and it is unchanged, you are better off finding a set of strings you like that would be available in any well stocked guitar store.

Of course, if you buy online, that's another matter...but again, don't get hooked on something that may run out in a month or two...

I copy/pasted the list displayed here at the site I got it from. Perhaps getting the links directly here works better

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/bad-dog-cafe ... rings.html

[JeffS]

Just an update on the string subject. I orderd a set of 10-12-20w-28w-38w-48w pure nickel strings from Curt Mangan Strings. I like them at least as well as the Gretsch/D'Addario pure nickels. The only difference is the 20w instead of the 18w; 20w is as small as they make in the pure nickels. They were very quick to process my order, and the price is comparable to the retail price of the Gretsch strings.

I tried a 16 and 17 plain 3rd, but my 59 NC seems to have better tone and intonation with the wound 3rd.

[guitarchuck]

Just wondered if anyone has tried these:

Gibson L5 Pure Nickel Wound Jazz Electric Guitar Strings Light 900L 10-13-18w-26-36-46 Medium Light 900ML 11-14-19w-30-41-52 Medium 900M 12-16-25w-34-44-56 Gibson L-5 Pure Nickel Wound Jazz Electric Guitar Strings are intended for players who want a heavier, jazzier feel to their guitars, but still want the crisp attack of a roundwound string. The nickel wrap gives these strings a warm tone, and the combination of gauges let you enjoy a superior balance of feel and volume. Vacuum sealed for freshness. All Gibson strings are bench tested and builder approved to bring the best sound possible out of your instrument.