Violeiro Posted September 26, 2019 Share Posted September 26, 2019 I am looking at their website and it doesn't look like "standard" string gauges one would buy. What do you get when time comes to replace them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veeing Fly Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 D'Addario EJ16's for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 DR Sunbeams or Pyramids for my BirdTV. 12 gage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violeiro Posted September 27, 2019 Author Share Posted September 27, 2019 Thanks guys. Do you know what brand/model comes from factory? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 My friend Marcus Bonfanti (fabulous blues player, check him out!) Uses D'Addario bluegrass gauge strings on his Hummingbird TV which sound magnificent. Basically the bottom three strings from a set of 13s and the top three from a set of 12s. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 Old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hojo199 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Using Elixir PB 12s currently but really like John Pearse PB 12s as well on my 2013 Bird TV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Elixir nano web 80/20 bronze medium lights on my TV. And, as EM7 noted - OLD. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 11 hours ago, fortyearspickn said: Elixir nano web 80/20 bronze medium lights on my TV. And, as EM7 noted - OLD. Yes, I seriously believe the genuine Bird-voice is best delivered by faded steel. Even have 2 sets of real old factory strings here - one is in action on the May 2012 Bird. And they seem to be slightly different from the Masterbuilt Bronze 12s - if judged by the end-balls. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoSoxBiker Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 (edited) I never knew about the old strings thing. Is it just the reduced brightness or a mellowed tone you guys dig when using old strings? I tried a set of the D'Add Nickel Bronze in the brown package that I've been digging in my SJ for about a month now. It was almost bright for about 2 days. Still bright with the right plectrum, but does whatever I want it to do with whatever pick I'm using. Easy to steer, tonally speaking. I've been curious how they might do in the 'bird, so will try these next time. Edited October 13, 2019 by PatriotsBiker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Much more than just losing the brightness..... mellower, doesn't ring and chime, tone decay better. You get to hear the guitar without the strings getting in the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoSoxBiker Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 21 minutes ago, fortyearspickn said: Much more than just losing the brightness..... mellower, doesn't ring and chime, tone decay better. You get to hear the guitar without the strings getting in the way. Interesting - thanks for the description. My other 2 acoustics have had their strings for few months now. It's my normal time of year for the 2nd 6-month change cycle, but each one is sounding like a million bucks - and for many of the reasons you describe. The strings I mentioned earlier seemingly jumped straight into this state within just a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 9 hours ago, fortyearspickn said: Much more than just losing the brightness..... mellower, doesn't ring and chime, tone decay better. You get to hear the guitar without the strings getting in the way. Word heard ^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Filbert Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 I use Martin Retro Nickel Monels on mine and they seem to be good so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 (edited) On 10/13/2019 at 3:35 AM, E-minor7 said: Yes, I seriously believe the genuine Bird-voice is best delivered by faded steel. Even have 2 sets of real old factory strings here - one is in action on the May 2012 Bird. And they seem to be slightly different from the Masterbuilt Bronze 12s - if judged by the end-balls. Yeah, Id agree that nectar comes out best with old piping, but jeeez it sounds so quiet then, dont you think ? You really need to dig in with the pick to get some projection out and fingers ...might as well have them all acrylics. Its proabably why I favour the Dove, has that nectar syrup, but with old strings the note seperation is still clear, projection is strong, but also super warm. Edited October 14, 2019 by EuroAussie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 13 hours ago, EuroAussie said: Yeah, Id agree that nectar comes out best with old piping, but jeeez it sounds so quiet then, dont you think ? You really need to dig in with the pick to get some projection out and fingers ...might as well have them all acrylics. Its proabably why I favour the Dove, has that nectar syrup, but with old strings the note seperation is still clear, projection is strong, but also super warm. Of my 2 2012 Birds the one called April is actually quite loud (has a higher bridge !?!). The other (May) is quieter, but also sweeter and more birdish. I wouldn't take May to an acoustic jam session, but it would the last of them to go. It's a real keeper and the best I've heard so far - went through 4 contemporaries. Playing it alone is pure pleasure - so distinct, defined and flourishing, , , let's say glazed. But yes, the longer Dove has more of everything as you mentioned before. Still the Hummingbird flies a space of its own, , , and rules there. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 "What strings do you use on your H'Bird TV?" " A long necked, maple Dove." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoSoxBiker Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 On 10/13/2019 at 9:49 AM, PatriotsBiker said: Interesting - thanks for the description. My other 2 acoustics have had their strings for few months now. It's my normal time of year for the 2nd 6-month change cycle, but each one is sounding like a million bucks - and for many of the reasons you describe. The strings I mentioned earlier seemingly jumped straight into this state within just a few days. OHHHHHHHHHHHH!! I get it, now. I can be taught - it just takes a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALD323 Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 (edited) Elixir nanoweb 80/20 .12-.53 and as was said..OLD, and played in. My current Elixirs are on my bird three years. With a newly installed Elixir set, I particularly love when the Elixir strings first begin to show discolor at the pick contact areas, and the finger positions. For me, that is when the strings are ripe and ready to play for another three years. Depending on how hard my guitar is worked and played, that string change time can vary between 6 months and three years. Ironically, most people remove the Elixirs when the string coating appears to wear or discolor. I find THAT is the prime time to play it for a long, long time, with no further change in tone quality. They soften and mellow, just delicious. Edited October 17, 2019 by ALD323 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 7 hours ago, ALD323 said: Elixir nanoweb 80/20 .12-.53 and as was said..OLD, and played in. Not a big fan of coated strings here, but actually have Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 lights on the campfire guitar, an Inspired by 1964 Texan. Feel tempted to take them off and place them on a TV. Your description and experience come close to what I'm after in my Birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoSoxBiker Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 I switched from Nano to Poly's to reduce the brightness. I was a big fan initially, but they felt stiffer and uncomfortable after 4-5 months on both the 'bird and SJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hojo199 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 On 10/17/2019 at 12:36 AM, E-minor7 said: Not a big fan of coated strings here, but actually have Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 lights on the campfire guitar, an Inspired by 1964 Texan. Feel tempted to take them off and place them on a TV. Your description and experience come close to what I'm after in my Birds. don't like Elixirs either -- but on my Bird TV they sound right -- after a month or so 🙂 Then they last indefinitely.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALD323 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 (edited) Hojo199's comment: (( -- but on my Bird TV they sound right -- after a month or so 🙂 Then they last indefinitely....))This is my experience also....a month or so of play in and aging...then they last almost indefinately. You'll have to force yourself to change them. As the tone softens and stabalizes, and remains that way, sometimes a few years. Edited October 18, 2019 by ALD323 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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