Gretsch Chet Atkins strings. Pure nickel.

[JeffB]

A few weeks ago, I won a box of these at the Gretsch Roundup in Baltimore.

Pure nickel, set I got is 11-13-17p/18w-28-38-48. I assume these are a Daddario build as Gretsch is part of FMIC.

I have put a set on my Les Paul (swapping the 11 for a slinky 10) in standard, and 11-48 in D on my strat for that Robin Trower type thing. These are very slinky in a good way, clear and warm, without being dull like many other pure nickel strings I have tried (including Dads proper and Fender 150s by dad). Seriously impressed. I liked them a helluva lot better than that set of silver plate Pyramids that did not last 24 hours before a dead string AND they cost me 17 bucks with tax!

Has anyone else tried these? I never even heard of them until the roundup. They are a bit expensive I believe, around 9 bucks a pack, but they seem to be pretty scarce @ the online music marts.


Chet effin' rocks!

 

[JeffB]

Re: Gretsch Chet Atkins strings. Pure nickel.

Reckon I am the only one using them here, then.

I put a set on the 335 today too. The guitar is already warm/dark, but they still sound great. Thick midrange,meaty lead tones with some bite on the plain strings, still clarity on the wounds. I do not think I have ever been happy with one particular set on all my guitars.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Gretsch Chet Atkins strings. Pure nickel.

In case anyone cares (probably not, but anyhoo).

I did some research on these, and my brother was able to explain to me that these were designed by Chets friend Paul Yandell, who worked closely with Dad/Gretsch to build a string that was like the original old school Chet strings, while still making them affordable. They are not just rebranded Dad or Fender pure nickels (obvious from feel, and greatly improved tone). Unfortunately when released a few years ago, "affordable" was roughly $25 a pack, and thus nobody bought/stocked them. Nowadays you can find them at a handful of places online- mom/pop stores for around $11 a pack.

Luckily my brother still has about 10 sets he won in previous years and is sending them to me (he plays heavy flats). I also found there is a 10-12-17-28-38-48 guage version. I plan on picking up a 10 pack of these online from a shop in NYC my brother speaks well of.

If yourun across a store that has a set, and you like pure nickel, they are worth a try at 10 bucks or what have you. These are not dull and lacking in punch like many inexpensive pure nickel sets.

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: Gretsch Chet Atkins strings. Pure nickel.

Does anyone know if these strings are hex or round core strings?. I tend to prefer round core strings these days, and I think the original Chet strings years ago were round core (like all strings at the time). I remember buying a set of the old Chet strings when I was a kid, because I use a custom gauge that starts with 10-12-16 for the plain strings, and I saw this Chet set that had a similar gauged string set to what I use. I remember they came in a round plastic box back then. I got them from a store in Phoenix that was a Gretsch dealer, and that was the only place I had ever seen them. If the new ones are similar to those, I'd like to try them myself.

Al

 

[JeffB]

Re: Gretsch Chet Atkins strings. Pure nickel.

I am unsure if these are exactly the same as the originals, but that seemed to be the intent from Mr. Yandell who was Chets friend and played guitar with Chet on tour.

Based on feel I would wager they are round cores. I would be super surprised if they were not.

 

[Demina]

Re: Gretsch Chet Atkins strings. Pure nickel.

You listed the G-string as 17p/18w, does that mean the set has both? Years ago, I used 11's with a wound G, and I'm wanting to try that again. These might be a good place to start.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Gretsch Chet Atkins strings. Pure nickel.

You listed the G-string as 17p/18w, does that mean the set has both?

Indeed it does.

 

[Demina]

Re: Gretsch Chet Atkins strings. Pure nickel.

Cool! Thanks!