Hank Williams strings and pick?

Does anyone know what type (not brand) of strings Hank Sr used? What about pick type?

It would almost have to be Black Diamond or Mapes medium gage string for the late 40's and early 50's, especially in the South.

Don't know about picks, but I'm willing to bet he wasn't particular.

It would almost have to be Black Diamond or Mapes medium gage string for the late 40's and early 50's, especially in the South.

Don't know about picks, but I'm willing to bet he wasn't particular.

So are those phophor bronze or nickel....?

If I remember right -- Mapes gave you a choice of bronze or monel alloy, Black diamond was monel (nickel alloy?)

whatever was available is my guess !!! and that wasn't much in those days ...

I would say back then, you didn't change strings until they were broken, and some one of Hank caliber probably had real tortis shell picks.

Black Diamonds were probably the most readily available strings back then. Hank had several different guitars he used a lot, but Ive mostly seen pictures with a Martin D-28 and a Gibson 3/4 size it looks like. I love his strong percussive strumming. I think thats where I picked up my strumming habits was istiening to Hank growing up.

I heard that the strings were soaked in Jack Daniels...???

I dont think Hank would have wasted whisky.
hehehe

So are those phophor bronze or nickel....?

Phosphor Bronze strings didn't come along until the 1970's, so they would have been 80/20 bronze or nickel.

You may already know this, but Hank's D-28 now belongs to Neil Young, and he uses it a lot on record and tour: http://www.thrasherswheat.org/sound.htm (scroll down).