Snake Oil acoustic strings-whats the verdict?

[cheng&eng]

Hi there,

I use snake oils on my electrics & love them.
How do their acoustic strings stack up?
are there other brands you prefer?
thanks

[teleking36]

I bought a set of SOB acoustics, but I've yet to use them. I'm anxious to see how they compare to the electrics, which are my favorite!

[msgdsrf]

I use them now on a regular basis. They replaced the Martin studio specials I had been using. Recently ran out of Snake Oils and put on a set of Martins again, so what's my opinion... the're great for my Guild D50! They don't have that overly piercing attack of new strings and then stay the same for a long time. Martins are too piercing without sustain at first and then continue to change for there life, becoming dull relatively quickly. Less finger noise as well.

[edgarallanpoe]

I use them on my Breedlove and couldn't be happier.

[billv]

Eh, I did not like the acoustic strings as much as the electrics. They were serviceable, but not outstanding, at least not on my guitar. Been a while since i tried though...

[brownacid]

Originally Posted by edgarallanpoe

I use them on my Breedlove and couldn't be happier.

What kinda Breedlove you got? I just got the Atlas jumbo Sf250, and I love it. It plays like a dream both fingerstyle and when plaing chordal songs.


I'm n love with it, when I get a lot of money to spare I think I may get a custom built by them or maybe justg get a master class.

[sinner]

What SOB acoustic strings did you guys try--Formula #1, #2, or #3:

Alloy 101: The REAL old-time Phosphor-Bronze - not the modern version that everyone else uses. This one is the richest in tone of the three.
Alloy 102: Dean's favorite for finger picking. In between the tone of 101 and 103.
Alloy 103: The brightest in tone of the three Alloys

[Londoncalling]

I use the 101's on my old Yamaha. They are very good. Lots of tone, stay in tune and don't go away as quickly as others I have used. I restrung my son's baby Taylor with a set and it helped the sound as well as being (same string gauge) easier to play.

I use the vintage SOB's on my strat and the rockers on my Wolfgang. I am happy with them in every case.

[Cybercat]

Been using the PBL 101 set on my D-28, playing out 2-3 gigs a week for several months now, & they sound & feel fantastic.

Tried Martin (SP & SP+), D'Addario, Thomastic-Infield (Spectrum and Plectrum sets), John Pearse, Fender, EB Earthwood, Elixir & one or two I've forgotten.

For me (acoustic rock, blues, pop, - lead, rhythm & slide, either in acoustic duo or with bass & drums added), the Snake Oil Brand strings were the clear winner.

[Doctorblue]

Good Morning,
Recently put a set of 101s on my Goodall Traditional Dreadnought (an incredible guitar by the way) and so far I am very satisfied. Richer, less bright and more complex sound than the Elixirs that came with the guitar (although the Elixirs sounded good also . . . . hard to imagine the strings that could make this guitar sound bad!). Can't comment yet on how long they will last.
Bill

[therealting]

I tried the acoustic sets and have gone back to D'Addario EXP 80/20 as I just prefer them, they also complement my pickup system better. However I can't imagine myself using anything else for electric.

[drolling]

Originally Posted by mudslide

Alloy 101: The REAL old-time Phosphor-Bronze - not the modern version that everyone else uses. This one is the richest in tone of the three.
Alloy 102: Dean's favorite for finger picking. In between the tone of 101 and 103.
Alloy 103: The brightest in tone of the three Alloys

Hey, thanks for the breakdown, mudslide.

I ordered a bunch of SOBs via e-mail, and asked Dean to throw in a set of acoustic for my reso, which is set up for both fingerpicking & slide.

Probably would have agonized over the choices had I known about them. Dean sent me 102s and I really, really like 'em!

Brighter & punchier than the Newtone "Nationals" they replaced, they also work well w/the new mag. pickup (Lace/National) I just installed this week. Nice, even string-to-string balance, which is more than I can say for some brands of bronze strings I've used.

Like the 'vintage' formulas I've been using on my electrics, they also broke in quickly, and have been holding their pitch better than the Newtones. And I'm especially hard on my acoustic - Constantly switching between standard & open tunings will kill most strings pretty fast!

Now that I know about the 101/3s, I'll have to try them as well.