Good morning.

I thought I could not put such a post in General, but now just scanned one of the recent off-topic discussions... “Oh. I can.”

For quite some time already, I am playing the acoustic Helix strings by Dean Markley, more specifically the light gauge variant (10). The strings ar no longer produced, which is a pity.

On the other hand, I have to admit, that the 0.024 inch string ('G') is the weak point of the set as it breaks well before any of the other, leaving me with 5 (five) sets of Helix-strings, each missing the .024 gauge! I have

• asked my online vendor for individual strings
• contacted Dean Markley for advice
• tried to scan the offer of local shops

My vendor does not sell individual strings, Dean Markley are not responding to my inquiries and the local shops (just one left at a 25km distance - this is Europe. 25km is a considerable distance, here) continuously change their opening hours in a way which makes me run against closed doors, each time that I try... mystic.

Does anybody know of a guitar string which would easily replace the .024 helix string and be available... even on Amazon? I cannot buy by credit card, never did and never will. You may see this as a major difficulty, but I can always ask a vendor to order stuff for me.

Just knowing the facts will be enough.

TIA

this steel string? acoustic or electric?

would any wound (i guess that's what helix means) string that is 0.024 in thick do?

generally, i feel your pain; it's the same with most D strings for Nylon strings (wound G strings are much rarer).

if it's light gauge, isn't the G string very, very thin? making it wound seems almost impossible...

Why not just replace all 6 and throw the old ones away?
A set of 6 is not going to break the bank, I don't think.

the 5 left there is nothing wrong with them, they'll last, it's the G sting that is always breaking. Oohh, I broke my G string again, is a common phrase among guitarist. I am surprised you OP, cannot get single strings. It'd be a bit of a waste to have to buy a stronger gauge along with your medium gauge to replace your G string.

I'd kind of wonder why that G string breaks so much. Can't imagine even if you had an adjustable bridge that it could do that. Where does it break, at the nut? Start playing country and get a B bender to solve it.

Anyway. I'd think that unless you are recording in a session you could use any similar material string. Can even go to a thicker string if it keeps breaking.

I'd think the material is the most important. Dean doesn't make the string I'd think. They buy huge rolls of it from some metal company. I suppose you could make your own strings but it is a bit of a hassle.

I have a ton of used strings that I should recycle some day.

Maybe?

https://www.amazon.com/Acoustic-Guit...%3A14908561011

Not sure about world wide shipping . I play Blues harp.

i guess online ordering is the solution here, one way or another.
oh, the marvels of the 21st century...

Thanks for the feedback, so far.

I may not have expected so much insight from you, else I would have put more emphasize on two details: The Helix-Strings (acoustic, as specified in the first post) are excellent quality and *last* very long. Second: This does not apply to the 0.024 inch string.

I would not have ordered this set again and again, if I were not convinced of its quality.

Originally I wanted a “John Pierce” set to do finger picking on a Spanish classic guitar, as my fingernails have failed me too often. Those strings appear to have disappeared completely but I got the advice to try another similar set (... I am too far from my guitar and cannot remember the name of the set... never broke a single string), plus the recommendation to use the Helix set on my “regular” folk-guitar. Both had been good advice.

I know what you mean. And it should be my choice in the future. Until now, I was quite satisfied with the longevity of the 5 remaining strings and replaced only the 0.024. The problem arises, when a company decides to no longer produce this kind of strings, just when I begin to prefer them from any of the others...

I will opt for an Elixir set in the future.

Hello Michael,
It may not matter much but I have a great deal of experience with guitars, both acoustic and electric, from playing, repairing and modifying professionally for some 50 years and my initial training was from a 3rd generation Dutch Luthier who specialized in violins but who also owned and operated an electric guitar manufacturing facility for over a decade and then owned several retail shops in which I was employed.

I haven't seen reference yet as to whether the guitar of concern to you is acoustic or electric and that matters rather a lot. It is much easier to make string choices on electrics especially regarding the 3rd (G) string for several reasons. Also it would be helpful if you could specify the kind of breakage. Does the string snap or simply results in the winding unraveling?... and where does this occur?

If the string's winding unravels that is rather a common problem with lighter, thinner sets featuring wound 3rd strings. On a set that starts with 0.010 gauge 1st (E) string the 3rd string usually runs somewhere between 0.016 and 0.019 and this makes for extremely thin, and vulnerable, winding gauge. On electrics I heartily recommend switching to a set with an unwound G, especially if you enjoy vibrato. I personally don't favor the sound of light sets (.010s) on acoustics because they sound thin and weak to me, If the guitar is acoustic and you simply don't play enough to use at least 0.011s, an unwound G may work depending on the response of your specific guitar. Some guitars don't sound balanced across the strings with unwound G strings... you can only discover that for yourself by trying it. Electrics are easier because most of them have pickup and/or pickup polepiece adjustments to achieve or recover balance. One other possible solution is to use heavier strings and tune down a half or even a whole step. It can be a revelation how much easier it is for most men to sing along with their playing when a half step lower. For playing with others a capo will return you to concert pitch at only the cost of a fret or two.

Elixir strings do last longer but also sound substantially brighter which is either "good" or "bad" depending on your instrument and your ear. Anything more you can mention about how this string breakage occurs and/or what your sonic preferences are can help me help you. This could be just a decent beginning.

Obviously geeks also love playing guitar I'm a D'Addario guy (occasionally GHS) myself.

I really didn't care for the Elixir nanoweb coated mandolin strings I tried one time. They're supposed to last so much longer but IMO they gave out earlier due to the stupid coating wearing off and gumming up the sound.

For electric guitar D'Addario is my favorite as well. I am particularly fond of their Light Top - Heavy Bottom sets that go from 0.010 - 0.052. I used to use Ernie ball singles to make up my own sets from 0.010 - 0.056, which gauge I still prefer, but once band touring extended into other states that became impractical and then I discovered I liked the feel and sound of D'Addario's better anyway and they were far fore commonly available than EB Singles. FWIW all PRS guitars come with D"Addario strings.

You are right and I should've mentioned that all Elixirs are not the same. They have tried different coatings and IIRC even abandoned for some reason one of the better formulations. It's a good idea to research the coatings available in one's area before buying. They are all pretty bright but not all actually last longer.

Almost forgot ....

HaHaHaHaH! Did you ever watch "Revolution OS" which features an All Geek Rock band? OMG it is a hilarious moment almost as hilarious as Eric Raymonds elevator tale. It is otherwise a pretty cool movie about early Linux in a serious way, but I doubt I will ever forget that band.

So far I've never even heard of that movie but I have now, I'll have to check it out.

Geez I figured everyone here in LinuxLand had seen that. It has Linus, Stallman, Russell, Ian Murdock... basically most of the Founding Fathers of Linux. It's rather fascinating to me and I imagine to most Linux Lovers but I imagine pretty boring and confusing to Windows Weenies, maybe because they don't realize just how malcontent geek chic Billy and The Steves used to be.

Anyway it's on YouTube in Full here --- Revolution OS ---