stainless steel strings maple fretboard

[Lee Harvey]

Any opinions?

Thinking about trying this

[surfneptune]

I have found stainless steel to be harsh sounding, nickel works best for me, they don't start as bright, but seem to last a long time without really going dead. Stainless will wear frets and anything else faster too. Your mileage will vary.

[huckdeuceman]

+1 on the frets!

[telex76]

I agree. At least I always heard they were harder on the frets, so I avoided them.

[Tony474]

I've been using Ernie Ball stainless strings for well over 20 years and I haven't encountered any particular fret or fingerboard wear. I have a variety of guitars but for the purpose of the OP's question the one I'm mainly thinking of is my 1990 Music Man Silhouette which I've owned since December 1993. It has a maple fingerboard and has never needed any attention at all to the frets despite having been gigged on average twice a week for nineteen years.

In contrast to some, I find that the stainless wound strings sound a little less bright to begin with but stay bright-sounding longer before ultimately going off fairly quickly, indicating time for a change. This can be many weeks, depending on season and ambient conditions.

[surfneptune]

Originally Posted by Tony474

I've been using Ernie Ball stainless strings for well over 20 years and I haven't encountered any particular fret or fingerboard wear. I have a variety of guitars but for the purpose of the OP's question the one I'm mainly thinking of is my 1990 Music Man Silhouette which I've owned since December 1993. It has a maple fingerboard and has never needed any attention at all to the frets despite having been gigged on average twice a week for nineteen years.

In contrast to some, I find that the stainless wound strings sound a little less bright to begin with but stay bright-sounding longer before ultimately going off fairly quickly, indicating time for a change. This can be many weeks, depending on season and ambient conditions.

Just to be clear, I would not avoid steel because of wear. I think it' fair to say, "by comparison" Steel will wear frets more than nickel. Playing style of course comes into play. But if you strum or double pick very hard, it could be a factor. Do you play clean with the silhouette? Or use a box in front? My comparison is for playing surf music. Bright and clean, straight to the amp. And I like the vintage sound of the nickels too.

[jeremypodom]

I put some stainless steel on my guitar for a couple days. It destroyed my finger tips in maybe 1/3 of the time normal strings usually do.

[Tony474]

Originally Posted by surfneptune

Just to be clear, I would not avoid steel because of wear. I think it' fair to say, "by comparison" Steel will wear frets more than nickel. Playing style of course comes into play. But if you strum or double pick very hard, it could be a factor. Do you play clean with the silhouette? Or use a box in front? My comparison is for playing surf music. Bright and clean, straight to the amp. And I like the vintage sound of the nickels too.

In terms of style, pretty much all of the above - a very eclectic range of material! For what you envisage, I find the stainless strings ideal. Historically we've always indulged our nostalgia by playing plenty of Shadows tunes and there's a nice "sproingg" going on that Hank would be proud of...

Anyway, sticking a set of stainless strings on a guitar is hardly a lifetime commitment, is it? Give it a go, see what you think. I did and stuck with it; your opinion may differ but it has to be worth a try.

[dmarcus30]

Originally Posted by surfneptune

I have found stainless steel to be harsh sounding, nickel works best for me, they don't start as bright, but seem to last a long time without really going dead. Stainless will wear frets and anything else faster too. Your mileage will vary.

Kiss your frets goodbye and fretboard wear is accelerated. Mine is the Voice of Experience. I use pure nickel now (Kendrick) and get WAY better tone and they last forever.

[Tony474]

Originally Posted by dmarcus30

Mine is the Voice of Experience.

And mine isn't? Speak as you find by all means, but that's a bit off.

[Davo17]

It sounds ok, Id probably use a mellower pick if I was using it to crank a tube amp. A downside-ss is tougher on your frets. They DO stay bright longer.

[dmarcus30]

Originally Posted by Tony474

And mine isn't? Speak as you find by all means, but that's a bit off.

What's "off" is your tiny frame of reference. Did you notice the caps? It's a common expression and not an attack, Tony. Chill.

[Tony474]

Originally Posted by dmarcus30

What's "off" is your tiny frame of reference. Did you notice the caps? It's a common expression and not an attack, Tony. Chill.

Yes, I did notice the caps, which, whether or not it was actually your intention, served to reinforce the impression that you consider your own opinion to trump all alternatives. Certainly yours may well be A voice of experience and worthy of attention alongside others, but like you and everyone else I can only contribute an account of my own experience in this or any other regard. I would not presume to imply that it has greater value than yours or that of any other contributor.

I couldn't actually care less what strings you prefer. If they make you happy, well and good. This is hardly life-changing stuff. Chill? I'm positively sub-Arctic. Have a nice day.

[dmarcus30]

Originally Posted by Tony474

Yes, I did notice the caps, which, whether or not it was actually your intention, served to reinforce the impression that you consider your own opinion to trump all alternatives. Certainly yours may well be A voice of experience and worthy of attention alongside others, but like you and everyone else I can only contribute an account of my own experience in this or any other regard. I would not presume to imply that it has greater value than yours or that of any other contributor.

I couldn't actually care less what strings you prefer. If they make you happy, well and good. This is hardly life-changing stuff. Chill? I'm positively sub-Arctic. Have a nice day.

OK, Google the phrase...

[cleanman]

Try the steel strings. If they work for you consider getting stainless steel frets at some point. You can't drag race without burning some rubber.

[Tony474]

Originally Posted by dmarcus30

OK, Google the phrase...

Right, done that. Seemingly you were referring to an old American radio show of which I had been unaware. Mitigation but no excuse!

[dmarcus30]

Originally Posted by Tony474

Right, done that. Seemingly you were referring to an old American radio show of which I had been unaware. Mitigation but no excuse!

To paraphrase Zappa, perhaps we should both "shut up and play (our) guitar(s)" at this point in time, Tony.