Gypsy Guitar Strings

[swingtoneman]

Anybody tried different strings apart from the ‘silk and steel’ strings that are associated with the gypsy style guitar? Perhaps to get a slightly more ‘dominant’ tone?

[mr. beaumont]

Well, gypsy strings are not silk and steel, so if you've been using silk and steel try some Argentines.

[JSanta]

Some players do the use the silk and steels, but most of the players I know use Argentines, Gallos, or D'addario Gypsy strings. I haven't played a SelMac with silk and steels (but some players do use them), and currently use a hybrid set on my guitars with the heavier gauge unwound trebles, and the lighter gauge wound strings. Argentines are pretty much the standard for the people I know and have played with. Stephane Wrembel got me into using the hybrid set, and I found that the wound tension was perfect, and the extra tension on the high B and E helped even out the register of the guitar. I have both Selmer scale and Busato scale guitars from Cyril Gaffiero, and the hybrid set works great on both instruments.

[John A.]

I've tried Argentines and D'Addario phosphor bronze with my Gitane D500 (both 11-46). Argentines sound and feel great, but they lose their brightness and bite pretty fast. The PB's sound brighter for longer and impart a little more of a conventional flattop sound, but at the cost of the slinky low tension feel of the Argentines. I wound up taking the PB's off pretty quickly and going back to Argentines, which I think work better on this kind of guitar. I've also tried both the loop and ball end versions. I don't notice any difference in sound or feel.

[Stringswinger]

I have tried most of the available Gypsy Jazz strings and even tried silk and steel. Argentines are a clear winner for me, and just like Django, I use 10's.

[rsclosson]

I normally use Argentines. I have tried D'Addario Gypsy Jazz and they are pretty good. I also tried a set of silk and steels which made the tone fatter and richer but I lost some volume.

Plus, on the long scale of a petite bouche guitar, 11s are pretty tight.

[mr. beaumont]

I think Stochelo uses silk and steels now....I wonder what brand?

Personally, I think silk and steels sound good for about 5 minutes. Argies might die fast too, but they at least don't go dead like silk/steel.

[rsclosson]

I think Stochelo uses silk and steels now....I wonder what brand?

Personally, I think silk and steels sound good for about 5 minutes. Argies might die fast too, but they at least don't go dead like silk/steel.

That is my experience too. Actually I like the Argentines after they have settled in a little.

[JSanta]

I think Stochelo uses silk and steels now....I wonder what brand?

Personally, I think silk and steels sound good for about 5 minutes. Argies might die fast too, but they at least don't go dead like silk/steel.

Pretty sure that Stochelo uses Gallo strings

[Hub]

In France, Argentine are the most common....I tested other brand but always return to Argentine 10-45 or 10-46 depending of the guitar setup and if your looking for a lead or rythm play.