Hey Jeremy, if you're still up for it, try the light tension version of these strings, mid tensions are more suited for dreads and jumbos strumming them, lights are better suited for smaller body guitars and finger style. I personally love the light tension ones on my Furch Green OMc, I guess its personal preference and also what does the guitar like
I’m sold on the Santa Cruz Parabolic strings on my Collings Clarence White, and not just for the sheer horsepower (I.e. volume, Clarence is already a canon). The balance across the length and breadth of the fingerboard is fabulous. All voices are clear and distinct - dense midrange jazz chords are transparent, all the voices are present and balanced. Yeah, they cost more, but age gracefully while lasting longer so longer life evens out the upfront cost.
I "discovered" Santa Cruz guitars a coupled years ago and had them build me an OM. It came with their strings, and I liked them fine. With a brand new guitar, no way for me to compare the strings with others. However, they sent me an extra set, which I put on my Martin OM 28v, and they are the best-sounding and longest-lasting strings I've used on it. Now, as someone else said, the medium tensions you have are designed for larger-bodied guitars such as a dreadnaught. The OMs and etc. get the lower-tension version. That does make a big difference to me. I can say that because a few months ago I received my second guitar from SC and it is a dreadnaught that came with the medium-tensions. I gave them a week and then changed them out to low-tensions, which is what my particular fingers prefer. I play every day, and these strings still sound very good after six months. But, to each his or her own, that is why there are five billion different strings sets from which to choose. But before you write them off, try a low-tension set on those OMs.
You know what these strings are rather interesting because they've EQ'ed (aka Fine Tuned) the tension of each string, this results in an amazingly Balanced Tension string set.
Thank You Jeremy. I thought it was Just me. I had 2 sets of these S. Cruz strings. I put them on guitars that I did some work on. I sold one of those guitars at a loss because it didn't feel right after I worked on it. I stupidly assumed that 20 dollar strings were not to blame. I just put another set on a nice guitar that I installed a piezo in. It's like playing with Golden gate bridge cables on it . I'm pulling those strings off today and putting d'addario on it. I thought it was just me. Thanks for your honesty. BTW, one was light tension and the other set was medium tension. Both suck. And I've been playing 50 years now .
Hey Jeremy! Have you ever tried Cleartone strings? KLOS used to ship their acoustic guitars with D'addario XT after extensively trying strings on their guitars. They shipped them with XT's since they became a brand. Recently, I noticed an ad for KLOS that said they're not shipping with Cleartone. When I reached out, I was told that they recently found that Cleartone Phosphor Bronze strings sound significantly better than the XT's on their guitars. I have found that the XT's are in fact best on a KLOS. Bi-irectional carbon fiber tends to be more treble leaning than many woods since a it's a man-made material with brighter properties. Many types of strings from a variety of brands make carbon fiber guitars sound a bit tinny, including the very popular D'addario XS, which are more treble leaning that the XT's. They need a darker or balanced set of strings to counteract some of that top end. I have found the XT's are the most balanced and responsive to whatever a player puts in, but I haven't experimented in a while because money is tight and I can't afford to waste strings I won't like in my only guitar. With the rising popularity of acoustic guitars being made from carbon fiber and other composite materials, it would be helpful to have a string test dedicated to finding the best options for CF guitars. Would you be willing to test some of your favorite strings on your own travel KLOS or ask KLOS to loan a full sized model to you for testing strings? In particular, I'm interested in hearing you conpare D'addario XT, Cleartone Phosphor Bronze, Foxwoods, and some other balanced/bass-leaning options on a KLOS. Perhaps you can also select a few brighter string options like the wildly popular D'addario XS to demonstrate that treble leaning strings aren't typically the best option for most players on CF guitars being that the tones start to get too bright and brassy. I really think a video like this would be useful to people who own or are considering buying a CF guitar. Tyvm! Merry Christmas to you and your family if I don't have a chance to wish you well before the holiday starts. I do the Chanukah thing myself, so my holiday has already underway since Sunday night.
Hey Jeremy, you might try listening to your video recording before deciding to be critical of those newer strings - the Santa Cruz strings sounded amazing on this video. And I'm a D'Addario X phosphorus bronze 11-52 on an all mahogany Thompson 12 fret dreadnought.
Nickel bronze daddarios are great. Balance tension set is perfect because is takes some heft off the 3/4/5. So it's 12-52 with the middle 3 coming from a set of 11s. You play a bit more agile and controlled this way on a stiffer 25.5" scale.
I use the low tension version. I've tried all kinds of strings, because the SCGC strings are expensive. That being said, I kept coming back to them. My guitars love them, and I like the feel of them. Your guitar sounded great with them.
Jeremy - I second what Boom below said - try the Santa Cruz low tension - designed for smaller body guitars. I love them. I also like the D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings (I use light gauge).
Jeremy. In short I agree with you. In fact, while you were playing and before you said what you thought of them, I was thinking no base and very, very bright. Those are strings you might put on a guitar if you were carrying several guitars to a show and wanted a certain sound for select pieces of music!! Nice job! Hope you have been healthy!
Honestly I thought those sounded more than just good, I was smiling just listening to you play. They hit all of the spots for me! I just bought a set because of how much I loved the way they sounded. To each their own I guess.
LOL! I am grateful you tried them. I got them from Santa Cruz. I didn't expect such a change in guitar voice either. I am using those D'Addario NB strings and Stringjoy Foxwoods on some guitars.
I think your original strings sounded wonderful, but I prefer the sound of strings that are a bit deadened. Typically I change them every couple of years, but I'm just a home player and rotate to different guitars a lot. For reference: I prefer the retro lights on my Martin 000-17 and the DAddario phosphor bronze on my Taylor AD17 (both are the strings that came with them).
Hey @Jeremy - what is that sweet descending lick you are playing from 5:00 to 5:06? String review aside, that sounds so great! Is that from a song or something you came up with? Would love to know! Thanks
I tried the Santa Cruz parabolic strings. They sounded great but I don't think I gave them enough time to formulate an accurate opinion of them long term. I also tried the Foxwoods from Stringjoy and though they sounded good I didn't fully enjoy them. I'm an Elixer nanoweb phospher bronze guy. But I did recently try the Daddario XS phospher bronze coated strings and am thus far loving them. When I need new strings I'm thinking about putting some Elixers on again to see if I notice much of a difference. But I really like the feel and the sound I'm getting with the XS strings.
Those Parabolics made that guitar sound more balanced from what I can hear. Sometimes that removes bass (in this case), but that's not a bad thing unless thumpy bass is what you like about that guitar. Rock what you like. Reminds me I need to check out String Joy.
MERRY CHRISTMAS Jeremy. All the best to your family and Happy New Year. Free strings are the same as wings. Always welcomed and appreciated. I like the tone of those strings.
Hey Jeremy, love that guitar. Yes, it's hard to drift away from strings you like. Keep it going though, you never know what you may be missing out on. But I agree that if you find a set that makes your love sound the best, I guess I'd stick with that too. Love the channel, still and forever. Never stop playing brother.
I'm using the DAddario nickel bronze in 13's on my Mahogany slope shoulder tuned down a 1/2 step and have been loving them now they've been on for a month, honestly I thought the parabolic strings sounded horrible, weird pingy/chimey noise and very sterile sound, no warmth in the tone from that wonderful guitar of yours, I have also tried the expensive Thomastic Plectrum strings on mine and hated them, just goes to show you are correct, must try different things in order to know.
Interesting. Having tried the Santa Cruz parabolic strings a while back I really wasn’t a fan. No problems or complaints with the tone, but they felt very rough under my fingers, abrasively so. Glad I tried them, especially after hearing so many good things about them, but they’re not for me.
Jeremy, thank you for this video. I too have favorite strings, and favorite type of sounds. I think the string-joy sounded pretty good actually, BUT, the mellow sound you had “before” was more towards my taste. But I also love mahogany or cedar top guitars, so, that’s just me. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, stay safe and warm.
Hi, Jeremy. I enjoy watching your video's. I like Guild guitars and have the D140 and my favorite is the DS-240. DS-240 is $500.00 and under, depending on where you buy it. I put bone nuts and saddles on both guitars, Journey pick-ups in both guitars and i use D'addario 13 gauge XS strings. I also put ebony bridge pins in the DS-240 and bone pins in the D140. I have to say the XS strings make my guitar ring and sound like a much more expensive guitar. They cost more but they will last longer than 3 or 4 sets of cheap string so are they really more expensive?
Hard to compare a 3 month old string to a brand new, out of the pack set. I don’t like brand new. Some take 3 days, some take a week. The question is, which strings sound the best for the longest, after the 3 day break in period, and still feel like an uncoated string?
My old hummingbird has tried about every string on the market. I love the Martin retro monel. They’re pretty cheap too. Every time I switch string brands I’m dissatisfied compared to the Retro Martins
Good non bias review Jeremy! The great thing about humans is that we all have different taste and preference! Keep smiling my friend! 🇨🇦👍🏻 Thanks, for being a passionate “guitar guy”….🙏
I thank you for today's life show. You are a wonderful human and a positive force in a negative world!! I thought that the new strings sounded fine. I, personally would leave them on because I hate to change strings and it is difficult for me because I am legally blind. (Writing this takes me time which is why I don't often comment on live stuff) I did prefer the nickle-bronze. I have been using nanoweb or lifespans and carry on because it is what I do. Change is good sometimes and people are reluctant to change. I once bought Clearetone by the case.
Yeah, the Santas are awesome and they retain their fine sound for a long old while. Let them settle in for a few tunes. I agree with you regarding D adarios dying quickly (new, they are too shiney, bright, twinkly, then they are fine for a few songs, then they are dead). At least, that seemed to be the case back when I bought a dozen or so sets on the cheap. I use the Santa Cruz lights on my Santa 000, and mediums on my Santa TR sig. I also use them on my various Eastman dreads. Your guitar sounded better as well, but then, we can't hear what you do. Nor do we have the many past experiences of playing your guitar that you do. I do appreciate your honesty regarding your irrationality (the irrelevance of someone suggesting you try something vs you discovering it on your own).
I loved them on my '72 D-28 after my father's recommendation (uses them on both his Santa Cruz guitars).. them seem to last awhile too. I'm curious how they compare to the D'Addario balanced tension strings which seem to be a close competitor aimed at tension, not gauge. Also the medium tension is for dreadnaughts, the light tension more for OM/OOO size.
I was just in my local shop yesterday playing a few guitars, mostly Taylor and Boucher. I tried a Santa Cruz OM and the first thing I said was, "what's up with these strings?" The tension felt very strange to me and I didn't care for the sound.
These are Pulp Fiction $5 shake strings. I tried low tension on a small body guitar and found little difference. In the uk they are x3 the price of d'addario EJ11 and about twice the price of d'addario NB. They sound pretty good on my Mcquarrie but not £24 good.
Brand new strings always sound too bright and zingy to my ears. Are you going to leave the SCs on long enough to see how they sound after a couple of weeks?
Would depend on the context for me... side-by-side tone test I preferred your older strings, but in a mix with a full band, maybe the fresh set sits better in the mix. Performing live, I would lean to what feels better.
Not a fan of Santa Cruz, although I know many who just love them. Yes, I tried the light tensions, and I usually use phosphor bronze 11's, either Martin's or D'Addarrios. It is definitely personal preference. And it might have been the guitar. The same strings sound different on different guitars.
I'm looking for the most slinky strings I can get, what strings aren't high tension,I really want bendy strings,without going with classic guitar strings,or without using electric guitar strings,I also like a wound G.
The D'Addario strings sounded better....maybe give the Santa Cruz strings a week of being played, & see how they are. I don't use either brand. I use Martin Flexible Core strings, & absolutely love them!!! Great tone and no more hand/finger fatigue from long playing sessions. Merry Christmas, everybody, & God bless!!!
the old strings sound so killer. must be the guitar. :) now to watch the rest of the video. the sc strings do die off for me and I didn't like them for heavy strumming with a pick. you should have put low tension on that one I think. the gauge and height of the strings seem to not be be the same or slightly different than say string joy strings. which are my favorites currently. naturals 12-54.
Remember the $30 Martin strings. I tried them once. I will try most things once. It's up to the user. Don't be afraid to try different things. How else would you know. I keep coming back to the brand I like.
For about the last 3-4 months I have been TRYING to like the SC Parabolic Strings--both low and mid-tension--for me they were hard to play, the most uncomfortable string I've ever played, and didn't sound nearly as good as d'Addario PBs that I've been using....sorry....they're definitely not for me I think I paid around $20 per each set....bummed
The santa cruz strings sound fine when fingerpicking but when strumming there’s to much high tone zingyness. But to be honest they should age a bit before comparing them. The zingyness might disappear after a while…
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I hear you. I'm cheap as well. I still have the original factory installed strings on many of Martin, Gibson, Guild solid wood guitars. Up to 5 years old strings. They sound good to me.
@@JeremySheppard Not a spokesperson for santa cruz or anything, but im not sure you gave these a fair shake. Santa cruz makes specific sets designed for dadgad tuning, and may not be performing to snuff here. in theory, these are meant for standard pitch so if they've "tuned" the strings for standard that may be the case. But honestly, ive never tried these and was thinking of picking up a pack for my boucher 000.
Neither. I’ve tried the Ddarrio Nickel bronze. Didn’t like them. Don’t like the sound of the Santa Cruz either. I have, up until recently, been a fan of Elixer and DDadrio. I tried out some standard 80/20 Martin Martin and DDaarrio strings recently and they just sound better.
The Santa Cruz sounded better. Better overall balance. The bass was definitely there - very rich. Of course, comparing against dead strings skews the results.
I put medium parabolics on my Santa Cruz RS and my Culwell D18 and absolutely hated them. Especially on the 24.5 scale length RS they were awful. Total tone killers. On paper, having thinner cores and thicker windings should give thicker sound with less pressure which sounds like a dream... which it is. In reality its like putting a 4 cylinder engine in a 250 or 2500 pick up truck, the engine (cores) don't have enough power to move the body (windings)
I did not like the Santa Cruz strings (although their guitars are superb). Weirdly, I’ve landed in phosphor and silk for my walnut guitar (I get better intonation) and silk and steel on one of my mahogany guitars.
The Nickel Bronze D'Addario let the guitar's voice be heard, I could actually tell what was going on in the middle register without you having to be extremely careful with your touch, yet they could pop and sizzle when you wanted them to. The Santa Cruz Parabolic absolutely destroyed the unique timbres in the mid range and any bass that they didn't drop out was, by comparison, masked by the highs which make it impossible to get anything but a sheen from every note. Sheen is neat, it's like spinning the tires on a hotrod car to impress the girls who are cheap like that, but it's nice sometimes (if not MOST of the time) to not be a super douche throwing HA HAs in everyone's face. I get it, lots of guitar players love that in your face, bright, overly-string-thing because they have some weird ideal in their heads, a preconceived notion about what a FORCEFUL instrument a guitar should be. That's pretty sad (and telling) that they have no song chops to work emotions with and instead have to rely upon the instrument, that's like electric players who mask their inability to be emotional through a guitar by burying their inadequacies under 3 tons of effects pedals and monster monster amps to be, ummm, COOL, DUDE. They don't really love the instrument, they are, rather, infatuated by the IDEA of the instrument, they harbor visions of being a star, being the BIG NAME folky guy, that crap. It's based 100% in psychosis and narcissism, they think SHEEN ALL THE TIME, MAN will get them noticed. I've seen it literally hundreds of times as I instructed for years at a college and have been playing, myself, since 1983. Funniest thing is, anyone who says ''The brighter strings are KILLER, MAN'' will also say, with a totally straight face, ''Yeah, I really dig Segovia and players like Martin Taylor'' because they also lack any self or situational awareness or sense of irony at all. It's weird how, after some decades, just like how people drive, you start to be able to detect a douchebag poser within just a few seconds of their doing their thing. Those parabolics are trash for trash people who play trash music. Let them take themselves out, I won't be bothered. Thanks for the heads up.
Ahh the kings new clothes. Without a direct comparison to other strings on the exact same instrument, it's a bit pointless. Anyone can make a superb recording on an expensive mic, and tweak the audio to make it sound even better. (Not you sir ! I'm talking generally, and criticising other reviews who are gushing over these). First impressions of these, they lack a bit of bass, and don't really sound 'special' in any way, a bit flat, I'm not sold.
You already had your mind made up that you weren’t going to like them, if you would’ve listened with an open mind you would’ve realized the Santa Cruz sounded better
Hey Jeremy, if you're still up for it, try the light tension version of these strings, mid tensions are more suited for dreads and jumbos strumming them, lights are better suited for smaller body guitars and finger style. I personally love the light tension ones on my Furch Green OMc, I guess its personal preference and also what does the guitar like
25.5 scale he was playing….I think if they were his thing, he would of known it! Cheers
I’m sold on the Santa Cruz Parabolic strings on my Collings Clarence White, and not just for the sheer horsepower (I.e. volume, Clarence is already a canon). The balance across the length and breadth of the fingerboard is fabulous. All voices are clear and distinct - dense midrange jazz chords are transparent, all the voices are present and balanced. Yeah, they cost more, but age gracefully while lasting longer so longer life evens out the upfront cost.
Robert McCloy :- Which Santa Cruz parabolic strings would you recommend for my Taylor 512ce 12 fret :- low tension or mid tension ???
The parabolic strings brought that guitar to life . Just my opinion. Love your videos!
Those strings brought your guitar to LIFE! Sounded like a dread. loved them!
You mean "dream"? "Dread" is like th complete opposite. 😂
Dreadnought.
@@vadenk4433 Crap, of course. 🤦🏼♂
I "discovered" Santa Cruz guitars a coupled years ago and had them build me an OM. It came with their strings, and I liked them fine. With a brand new guitar, no way for me to compare the strings with others. However, they sent me an extra set, which I put on my Martin OM 28v, and they are the best-sounding and longest-lasting strings I've used on it. Now, as someone else said, the medium tensions you have are designed for larger-bodied guitars such as a dreadnaught. The OMs and etc. get the lower-tension version. That does make a big difference to me. I can say that because a few months ago I received my second guitar from SC and it is a dreadnaught that came with the medium-tensions. I gave them a week and then changed them out to low-tensions, which is what my particular fingers prefer. I play every day, and these strings still sound very good after six months. But, to each his or her own, that is why there are five billion different strings sets from which to choose. But before you write them off, try a low-tension set on those OMs.
Your friend seems like such a nice guy with love for what he is building. Respect Howard.
I'm impressed with the new strings on your guitar.
I like them over the old strings that were replaced.
Damn, I enjoy hearing your talented finger picking styles. I'm respectfully jealous! I also appreciate your narratives and direct comments. Thank you!
You know what these strings are rather interesting because they've EQ'ed (aka Fine Tuned) the tension of each string, this results in an amazingly Balanced Tension string set.
Beautiful chords.I feel relaxed.
Jeremy, from my end I liked the sound of them. Very good playing brother!
That guitar sounds wonderful WoW !
Thank You Jeremy. I thought it was Just me. I had 2 sets of these S. Cruz strings. I put them on guitars that I did some work on. I sold one of those guitars at a loss because it didn't feel right after I worked on it. I stupidly assumed that 20 dollar strings were not to blame. I just put another set on a nice guitar that I installed a piezo in. It's like playing with Golden gate bridge cables on it . I'm pulling those strings off today and putting d'addario on it. I thought it was just me. Thanks for your honesty. BTW, one was light tension and the other set was medium tension. Both suck. And I've been playing 50 years now .
Hey Jeremy! Have you ever tried Cleartone strings? KLOS used to ship their acoustic guitars with D'addario XT after extensively trying strings on their guitars. They shipped them with XT's since they became a brand. Recently, I noticed an ad for KLOS that said they're not shipping with Cleartone. When I reached out, I was told that they recently found that Cleartone Phosphor Bronze strings sound significantly better than the XT's on their guitars.
I have found that the XT's are in fact best on a KLOS. Bi-irectional carbon fiber tends to be more treble leaning than many woods since a it's a man-made material with brighter properties. Many types of strings from a variety of brands make carbon fiber guitars sound a bit tinny, including the very popular D'addario XS, which are more treble leaning that the XT's. They need a darker or balanced set of strings to counteract some of that top end. I have found the XT's are the most balanced and responsive to whatever a player puts in, but I haven't experimented in a while because money is tight and I can't afford to waste strings I won't like in my only guitar.
With the rising popularity of acoustic guitars being made from carbon fiber and other composite materials, it would be helpful to have a string test dedicated to finding the best options for CF guitars. Would you be willing to test some of your favorite strings on your own travel KLOS or ask KLOS to loan a full sized model to you for testing strings? In particular, I'm interested in hearing you conpare D'addario XT, Cleartone Phosphor Bronze, Foxwoods, and some other balanced/bass-leaning options on a KLOS. Perhaps you can also select a few brighter string options like the wildly popular D'addario XS to demonstrate that treble leaning strings aren't typically the best option for most players on CF guitars being that the tones start to get too bright and brassy. I really think a video like this would be useful to people who own or are considering buying a CF guitar.
Tyvm! Merry Christmas to you and your family if I don't have a chance to wish you well before the holiday starts. I do the Chanukah thing myself, so my holiday has already underway since Sunday night.
Hey Jeremy, you might try listening to your video recording before deciding to be critical of those newer strings - the Santa Cruz strings sounded amazing on this video. And I'm a D'Addario X phosphorus bronze 11-52 on an all mahogany Thompson 12 fret dreadnought.
This is an awesome guitar, I think the nickle bronze sound great on it. String Joys sound very good also.
Nickel bronze daddarios are great. Balance tension set is perfect because is takes some heft off the 3/4/5. So it's 12-52 with the middle 3 coming from a set of 11s. You play a bit more agile and controlled this way on a stiffer 25.5" scale.
I use the low tension version. I've tried all kinds of strings, because the SCGC strings are expensive. That being said, I kept coming back to them. My guitars love them, and I like the feel of them. Your guitar sounded great with them.
Jeremy - I second what Boom below said - try the Santa Cruz low tension - designed for smaller body guitars. I love them. I also like the D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings (I use light gauge).
Jeremy. In short I agree with you. In fact, while you were playing and before you said what you thought of them, I was thinking no base and very, very bright. Those are strings you might put on a guitar if you were carrying several guitars to a show and wanted a certain sound for select pieces of music!! Nice job! Hope you have been healthy!
Honestly I thought those sounded more than just good, I was smiling just listening to you play. They hit all of the spots for me! I just bought a set because of how much I loved the way they sounded. To each their own I guess.
LOL! I am grateful you tried them. I got them from Santa Cruz. I didn't expect such a change in guitar voice either. I am using those D'Addario NB strings and Stringjoy Foxwoods on some guitars.
I think your original strings sounded wonderful, but I prefer the sound of strings that are a bit deadened. Typically I change them every couple of years, but I'm just a home player and rotate to different guitars a lot. For reference: I prefer the retro lights on my Martin 000-17 and the DAddario phosphor bronze on my Taylor AD17 (both are the strings that came with them).
Just a home player too and I like to play until the E starts to buzz from stretching
Hey @Jeremy - what is that sweet descending lick you are playing from 5:00 to 5:06? String review aside, that sounds so great!
Is that from a song or something you came up with? Would love to know! Thanks
It’s a d major scale in DADGAD then into wild mountain thyme in D
@@JeremySheppard I heard the scale and loved the alternate bass/thumb pattern!
It’s from a Tony McManus video on Celtic and DADGAD
@@JeremySheppard Found that video! That's super-helpful, thanks!
I tried the Santa Cruz parabolic strings. They sounded great but I don't think I gave them enough time to formulate an accurate opinion of them long term. I also tried the Foxwoods from Stringjoy and though they sounded good I didn't fully enjoy them. I'm an Elixer nanoweb phospher bronze guy. But I did recently try the Daddario XS phospher bronze coated strings and am thus far loving them. When I need new strings I'm thinking about putting some Elixers on again to see if I notice much of a difference. But I really like the feel and the sound I'm getting with the XS strings.
Those Parabolics made that guitar sound more balanced from what I can hear. Sometimes that removes bass (in this case), but that's not a bad thing unless thumpy bass is what you like about that guitar. Rock what you like. Reminds me I need to check out String Joy.
MERRY CHRISTMAS Jeremy. All the best to your family and Happy New Year. Free strings are the same as wings. Always welcomed and appreciated. I like the tone of those strings.
Hey Jeremy, love that guitar. Yes, it's hard to drift away from strings you like. Keep it going though, you never know what you may be missing out on. But I agree that if you find a set that makes your love sound the best, I guess I'd stick with that too. Love the channel, still and forever. Never stop playing brother.
I'm using the DAddario nickel bronze in 13's on my Mahogany slope shoulder tuned down a 1/2 step and have been loving them now they've been on for a month, honestly I thought the parabolic strings sounded horrible, weird pingy/chimey noise and very sterile sound, no warmth in the tone from that wonderful guitar of yours, I have also tried the expensive Thomastic Plectrum strings on mine and hated them, just goes to show you are correct, must try different things in order to know.
Did you leave the strings on a play them for a week? Any difference?
I use the Nickle Bronze strings on my Mandolins and I love the tone. George in Montana
On this end they sounded great.
I use the Santa Cruz Mid tension on my two guitars. Love them. They mellow out in a few days.
Interesting. Having tried the Santa Cruz parabolic strings a while back I really wasn’t a fan. No problems or complaints with the tone, but they felt very rough under my fingers, abrasively so. Glad I tried them, especially after hearing so many good things about them, but they’re not for me.
Jeremy, thank you for this video. I too have favorite strings, and favorite type of sounds.
I think the string-joy sounded pretty good actually, BUT, the mellow sound you had “before” was more towards my taste. But I also love mahogany or cedar top guitars, so, that’s just me.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, stay safe and warm.
Hi, Jeremy. I enjoy watching your video's. I like Guild guitars and have the D140 and my favorite is the DS-240. DS-240 is $500.00 and under, depending on where you buy it. I put bone nuts and saddles on both guitars, Journey pick-ups in both guitars and i use D'addario 13 gauge XS strings. I also put ebony bridge pins in the DS-240 and bone pins in the D140. I have to say the XS strings make my guitar ring and sound like a much more expensive guitar. They cost more but they will last longer than 3 or 4 sets of cheap string so are they really more expensive?
Hard to compare a 3 month old string to a brand new, out of the pack set. I don’t like brand new. Some take 3 days, some take a week. The question is, which strings sound the best for the longest, after the 3 day break in period, and still feel like an uncoated string?
They have Solid Ball Ends which helps the strings anchor onto the bridge better.
Actually they come in 2 tensions medium & light. The light tension strings are a bit thinner so the tension is lower.
The Santa Cruz light parabolic strings are better suited for your Paget guitar.
My old hummingbird has tried about every string on the market. I love the Martin retro monel. They’re pretty cheap too. Every time I switch string brands I’m dissatisfied compared to the Retro Martins
Good non bias review Jeremy! The great thing about humans is that we all have different taste and preference! Keep smiling my friend! 🇨🇦👍🏻 Thanks, for being a passionate “guitar guy”….🙏
I thank you for today's life show. You are a wonderful human and a positive force in a negative world!!
I thought that the new strings sounded fine. I, personally would leave them on because I hate to change strings and it is difficult for me because I am legally blind. (Writing this takes me time which is why I don't often comment on live stuff)
I did prefer the nickle-bronze. I have been using nanoweb or lifespans and carry on because it is what I do. Change is good sometimes and people are reluctant to change. I once bought Clearetone by the case.
..John Pierce before that.
Hello, who and what company made your guitar.? thanks
Ben Padgett. It's a hand made guitar, the company is called Padgett Guitars
I just restrung with Martins Flex strings, I'm happy with the sound and the "feel" so far.
Yeah, the Santas are awesome and they retain their fine sound for a long old while. Let them settle in for a few tunes. I agree with you regarding D adarios dying quickly (new, they are too shiney, bright, twinkly, then they are fine for a few songs, then they are dead). At least, that seemed to be the case back when I bought a dozen or so sets on the cheap.
I use the Santa Cruz lights on my Santa 000, and mediums on my Santa TR sig. I also use them on my various Eastman dreads.
Your guitar sounded better as well, but then, we can't hear what you do. Nor do we have the many past experiences of playing your guitar that you do.
I do appreciate your honesty regarding your irrationality (the irrelevance of someone suggesting you try something vs you discovering it on your own).
I loved them on my '72 D-28 after my father's recommendation (uses them on both his Santa Cruz guitars).. them seem to last awhile too. I'm curious how they compare to the D'Addario balanced tension strings which seem to be a close competitor aimed at tension, not gauge. Also the medium tension is for dreadnaughts, the light tension more for OM/OOO size.
I was just in my local shop yesterday playing a few guitars, mostly Taylor and Boucher. I tried a Santa Cruz OM and the first thing I said was, "what's up with these strings?" The tension felt very strange to me and I didn't care for the sound.
Love my John Pearse 12s phosphor bronze
They sound like Jeremy described these strings...
And John Pearse are reasonably priced!
I don't have the slightest idea about WTF "parabolic" strings are supposed to be, but I surely like what I hear. Great sound man !
These are Pulp Fiction $5 shake strings. I tried low tension on a small body guitar and found little difference. In the uk they are x3 the price of d'addario EJ11 and about twice the price of d'addario NB. They sound pretty good on my Mcquarrie but not £24 good.
I’ve been enjoying the nickel bronze the last 6 months.
Brand new strings always sound too bright and zingy to my ears. Are you going to leave the SCs on long enough to see how they sound after a couple of weeks?
Would depend on the context for me... side-by-side tone test I preferred your older strings, but in a mix with a full band, maybe the fresh set sits better in the mix. Performing live, I would lean to what feels better.
"A Beautiful, thumpy death". I hope that's the way I go...:) Those old strings did sound good!
Not a fan of Santa Cruz, although I know many who just love them. Yes, I tried the light tensions, and I usually use phosphor bronze 11's, either Martin's or D'Addarrios. It is definitely personal preference. And it might have been the guitar. The same strings sound different on different guitars.
I had a very similar experience with the Santa Cruz strings
Have them on a 000-18 and I like them a lot
I like to try new strings but everytime I end up going back to daddario nickel bronze on my taylor 324e. I have yet to find anything better
I like Martin Authentic. I put lights and mediums on my various guitars and these are my current favorites. I got away from Elixirs-too bright.
Could you share the gauge of that mid tension set? thanks
I'm looking for the most slinky strings I can get, what strings aren't high tension,I really want bendy strings,without going with classic guitar strings,or without using electric guitar strings,I also like a wound G.
The D'Addario strings sounded better....maybe give the Santa Cruz strings a week of being played, & see how they are. I don't use either brand. I use Martin Flexible Core strings, & absolutely love them!!! Great tone and no more hand/finger fatigue from long playing sessions. Merry Christmas, everybody, & God bless!!!
Put the lower tensions on my Santa Cruz Norman Blake D-12. They were great. But I think Stringjoys are just as good or better. Go Tennessee.
the old strings sound so killer. must be the guitar. :) now to watch the rest of the video. the sc strings do die off for me and I didn't like them for heavy strumming with a pick. you should have put low tension on that one I think. the gauge and height of the strings seem to not be be the same or slightly different than say string joy strings. which are my favorites currently. naturals 12-54.
I like them. I have only heard them here.
I was just playing them and they're way better a few weeks in.
"Light Tension" Santa Cruz Parabolic strings are what you need!
This is cool I like to hate stuff too. Although I love small dags and puffins.
I liked the new strings. They had more clarity and volumn. To me small guitars need more of each.
My favorite strinds are Martin Retros...
Sounds glorious!! Nice guitar and playing dude 👌
Remember the $30 Martin strings. I tried them once. I will try most things once. It's up to the user. Don't be afraid to try different things. How else would you know. I keep coming back to the brand I like.
For about the last 3-4 months I have been TRYING to like the SC Parabolic Strings--both low and mid-tension--for me they were hard to play, the most uncomfortable string I've ever played, and didn't sound nearly as good as d'Addario PBs that I've been using....sorry....they're definitely not for me I think I paid around $20 per each set....bummed
Mmm my idea was that it sounded really good..
The santa cruz strings sound fine when fingerpicking but when strumming there’s to much high tone zingyness.
But to be honest they should age a bit before comparing them. The zingyness might disappear after a while…
I hear you. I'm cheap as well. I still have the original factory installed strings on many of Martin, Gibson, Guild solid wood guitars. Up to 5 years old strings. They sound good to me.
That's disgusting lol
Normal tension or low tension?
These were normal
@@JeremySheppard Not a spokesperson for santa cruz or anything, but im not sure you gave these a fair shake. Santa cruz makes specific sets designed for dadgad tuning, and may not be performing to snuff here. in theory, these are meant for standard pitch so if they've "tuned" the strings for standard that may be the case. But honestly, ive never tried these and was thinking of picking up a pack for my boucher 000.
Drop all strings down a full step to d to d. I'll bet you'll pull more base and soften the overall chime. You're taking them off anyway. What the hey
Neither. I’ve tried the Ddarrio Nickel bronze. Didn’t like them. Don’t like the sound of the Santa Cruz either.
I have, up until recently, been a fan of Elixer and DDadrio. I tried out some standard 80/20 Martin Martin and DDaarrio strings recently and they just sound better.
The Santa Cruz sounded better. Better overall balance. The bass was definitely there - very rich. Of course, comparing against dead strings skews the results.
I put medium parabolics on my Santa Cruz RS and my Culwell D18 and absolutely hated them. Especially on the 24.5 scale length RS they were awful. Total tone killers. On paper, having thinner cores and thicker windings should give thicker sound with less pressure which sounds like a dream... which it is. In reality its like putting a 4 cylinder engine in a 250 or 2500 pick up truck, the engine (cores) don't have enough power to move the body (windings)
I tried them a few years ago and I didn’t care for them either.
I did not like the Santa Cruz strings (although their guitars are superb). Weirdly, I’ve landed in phosphor and silk for my walnut guitar (I get better intonation) and silk and steel on one of my mahogany guitars.
I thought these strings gave your guitar a 3 dimensional sound. They are great.
Personally I did not like the tone of the Santa Cruz, I thjnk the D’Adarrio strings suit that guitar and your playing.
As someone who plays 4+ sometimes 8 hours a day there is no way I could keep stings on for 3 months.
Oh yeah, no chance. On my main guitars I play an hour or two a day and coated strings or nickel bronze last me a month or so. But I like them thumpy.
Is that an Elliot capo. I have one two… seriously- Elliot?
It's a Paige Pro.
The Nickel Bronze D'Addario let the guitar's voice be heard, I could actually tell what was going on in the middle register without you having to be extremely careful with your touch, yet they could pop and sizzle when you wanted them to. The Santa Cruz Parabolic absolutely destroyed the unique timbres in the mid range and any bass that they didn't drop out was, by comparison, masked by the highs which make it impossible to get anything but a sheen from every note. Sheen is neat, it's like spinning the tires on a hotrod car to impress the girls who are cheap like that, but it's nice sometimes (if not MOST of the time) to not be a super douche throwing HA HAs in everyone's face. I get it, lots of guitar players love that in your face, bright, overly-string-thing because they have some weird ideal in their heads, a preconceived notion about what a FORCEFUL instrument a guitar should be. That's pretty sad (and telling) that they have no song chops to work emotions with and instead have to rely upon the instrument, that's like electric players who mask their inability to be emotional through a guitar by burying their inadequacies under 3 tons of effects pedals and monster monster amps to be, ummm, COOL, DUDE. They don't really love the instrument, they are, rather, infatuated by the IDEA of the instrument, they harbor visions of being a star, being the BIG NAME folky guy, that crap. It's based 100% in psychosis and narcissism, they think SHEEN ALL THE TIME, MAN will get them noticed.
I've seen it literally hundreds of times as I instructed for years at a college and have been playing, myself, since 1983. Funniest thing is, anyone who says ''The brighter strings are KILLER, MAN'' will also say, with a totally straight face, ''Yeah, I really dig Segovia and players like Martin Taylor'' because they also lack any self or situational awareness or sense of irony at all. It's weird how, after some decades, just like how people drive, you start to be able to detect a douchebag poser within just a few seconds of their doing their thing. Those parabolics are trash for trash people who play trash music. Let them take themselves out, I won't be bothered. Thanks for the heads up.
Ahh the kings new clothes.
Without a direct comparison to other strings on the exact same instrument, it's a bit pointless.
Anyone can make a superb recording on an expensive mic, and tweak the audio to make it sound even better. (Not you sir ! I'm talking generally, and criticising other reviews who are gushing over these).
First impressions of these, they lack a bit of bass, and don't really sound 'special' in any way, a bit flat, I'm not sold.
You already had your mind made up that you weren’t going to like them, if you would’ve listened with an open mind you would’ve realized the Santa Cruz sounded better
They got better. I gave it my best.
Or my ear buds are bad.
I’m not a fan of Santa Cruz strings. I hated the feel and the sound
Seriously conservative, the best world is behind us? I’m very conservative and love new things. Don’t pigeon hole
It is literally the definition of conservative though.