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Thread: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

  1. #26
    rock in rôle Paul Statman's Avatar
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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    In the days before J75 I would make E and A strings from music wire, making a loop at one end. Now we have these choices-
    J74: 11-15-26-40
    J75: 11.5-16-26-41
    74CM: 11.5-16-26-40
    The only difference is the .001" on the G course.
    My question is, "How many players can honestly feel a difference between G strings 40 and 41"?

  2. #27
    Registered User CWRoyds's Avatar
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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    Just to be clear, I have not tried the EXPs.
    My bad coating experience was with ClearTone guitar strings.
    I absolutely understand that not all coated strings are the same.
    I was not poo-pooing these strings specifically as I have no experience with the EXPs.
    I would not want someone to get the wrong idea.

    I do plan to give these strings a try.
    I am intrigued with the gauge set.
    Hopefully I will be surprised by these new strings.

  3. #28
    Middle-Aged Old-Timer Tobin's Avatar
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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    Quote Originally Posted by mandopixie View Post
    My question is, "How many players can honestly feel a difference between G strings 40 and 41"?
    I doubt anyone could tell the difference in thickness under their fingers just by touching it. But there's more to it than just the feel. I could tell the difference in tension when I tried that gauge (just as I feel the difference in the thicker unwound strings, due to higher tension). Fretting the string takes more finger pressure, and the strings bend differently at the higher tension of a thicker string.

    But more importantly, I could hear the difference (again, just like I do in all the other thicker strings). Volume and tone are different. And the 0.041" strings caused slight binding at the nut, making tuning a pain. Not to mention the intonation was different. There are lots of reasons why 0.001" can make a noticeable difference to players on any string. Sometimes it's a good change, but for lots of us, the thicker G strings aren't desirable.

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  5. #29
    rock in rôle Paul Statman's Avatar
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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    Tobin~ There shouldn't be any binding at the nut, but that's an easy fix. In any event, I don't notice a tension or any other difference between 40 and 41 gauge G. Individual results may vary.

  6. #30
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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    I like the improved tuning stability of the A string .16 and sound.. Ghs silk n bronze also have a 11-40 set with a 16 gauge A course. Enjoy them a lot! But I miss the POP of exp74's

  7. #31

    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    These strings are available here:

    http://randeesmusic.com/shop/daddari...dolin-strings/

    If you're looking for more places to buy them from

  8. #32
    Troglodyte Michael Weaver's Avatar
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    Default

    [QUOTE="Question though, what does CM stand for in EXP74CM?[/QUOTE]


    Hmm, I thought it was Chris Mhile.
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  9. #33
    Registered User CWRoyds's Avatar
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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    I just got a set of these and just put them on my F5.
    I was skeptical of the coated strings, as my experience with Cleartone guitar strings was less than exciting.
    Having tuned them up, I have to say that these strings are pretty darn cool.
    They feel great, and I don't have any problem with coating.
    They play smoothly and sound clear as a bell.
    My mandolin is a little bit louder too, especially from the E & A.

    The E & A are definitely more firm than the J74s, which is great for me.
    The only odd thing is that the newly heavier E & A feel slightly different in tension than the G & D.
    That might just be because it is a new feeling.
    I bet that in a couple of days that feeling will go away, and it will feel normal again.

    All in all, I would say these are definitely worth a try if you were thinking of going slightly heavier gauge.
    I have not tried J75s yet, but I got a set of those too, and I will try them in a couple of weeks to see how they compare.
    Get yourself a set and have a go.
    They are definitely interesting.

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  11. #34
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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    Ok, so I just ordered some. Has anybody else tried these yet? I'm curious to hear from others............

  12. #35
    Registered User LongBlackVeil's Avatar
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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    Cm stands for custom medium im sure

    I'm going to try a set on my ellis. Just for fun, I'd be suprised if they're better than the dr rares for me. But Its worth a shot I think. IVe ordered a set I'll report on how they work for me

    I usually don't like coaged strings either but the daddario coating is really good and i think actually affects the sound in a good way. I like daddario exps
    "When you learn an old time fiddle tune, you make a friend for life"

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  14. #36
    rock in rôle Paul Statman's Avatar
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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    Quote Originally Posted by CWRoyds View Post
    I have not tried J75s yet, but I got a set of those too, and I will try them in a couple of weeks to see how they compare.
    I'm looking forward to reading your findings on this comparison!

  15. #37
    Registered Muser dang's Avatar
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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    I just received a couple of sets in the mail. I had once combined the EXP74 and the EXP75 to make a set like this so I knew I would like them... There is a difference, I noticed it most when I put on a regular EXP74 after using the combined set, the A string had a much different feel and I missed the heavier A right away.

    Thanks D'Addario for making this useful set available!
    I should be pickin' rather than postin'

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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    I want to try a set just to see for myself but I`ll wait and see if I win a set in the contest they are running starting today, a free set just might make me switch from GHS`S on all of my mandolins, we`ll see....

    Willie

  17. #39
    rock in rôle Paul Statman's Avatar
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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    Quote Originally Posted by dang View Post
    I just received a couple of sets in the mail. I had once combined the EXP74 and the EXP75 to make a set like this so I knew I would like them... There is a difference, I noticed it most when I put on a regular EXP74 after using the combined set, the A string had a much different feel and I missed the heavier A right away.

    Thanks D'Addario for making this useful set available!
    How are they compared to EXP75?
    Last edited by Paul Statman; Dec-24-2014 at 2:06pm. Reason: spollag mistuk

  18. #40
    Registered Muser dang's Avatar
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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    Quote Originally Posted by mandopixie View Post
    How are they compared to EXP75?
    Not very different at all, but that .001 on the G string IS a little less tension - though I am not sure you could really feel it. I convinced myself I could tell a difference but it is probably in my head.

    I imagine this set is more directed at those consumers who are happy with the EXP74 but want more on the A string, rather than someone using the EXP75 and wanting less G string.

    In my case I feel I have always had a great bottom end on my Weber Bighorn but it felt like the top end wasn't quite as balanced so these sets are a nice solution.
    I should be pickin' rather than postin'

  19. #41
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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    I have a set and I'm going to put them on at my next string change. If I don't sound like Chris Thile, I'm gonna try to get my money back. Or not.
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  20. #42
    Registered User LongBlackVeil's Avatar
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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    I didn't realize they were so close to the j75s. I would like to hear Chris say why he feels that the 41 of the j75 doesn't work for him.
    "When you learn an old time fiddle tune, you make a friend for life"

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  22. #43
    Middle-Aged Old-Timer Tobin's Avatar
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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    Quote Originally Posted by LongBlackVeil View Post
    I didn't realize they were so close to the j75s. I would like to hear Chris say why he feels that the 41 of the j75 doesn't work for him.
    Here is the video which inspired this set of strings. He doesn't really say why he prefers the medium gauges on the wound strings; just that he does prefer medium gauge on G & D, with heavier gauge (.016 and .0115) on the A & E strings. I too would like to hear a little more detail on his reasoning for the G string, but I'm sure it comes down to simple user preference. He can likely make anything "work" for him and sound amazing at it, but with his mastery of the mandolin, it's all about balancing the feel and sound so that it's perfect.


  23. #44
    rock in rôle Paul Statman's Avatar
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    Question Re: Video: "Chris Thile Gauge" G Strings On The J75 Set

    Yeah..no, I'm still none the wiser for having watched this CT on D'Addario strings video. The reasoning behind creating (essentially) a whole new version of J75 with a .040" G escapes me - unless it's a marketing thing. "Chris Thile Picks This Set", like when Grisman's name was on the *J74 set. If my memory serves me correctly, I started using J74 just before that, and there was a change at that time, upping the G from a 'puny' .039"! *I could be wrong. I tried a lot of string sets in the '80s and early nineties.
    Maybe someone at D'Addario could shed some light.

  24. #45
    Middle-Aged Old-Timer Tobin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Video: "Chris Thile Gauge" G Strings On The J75 Set

    Quote Originally Posted by mandopixie View Post
    Yeah..no, I'm still none the wiser for having watched this CT on D'Addario strings video. The reasoning behind creating (essentially) a whole new version of J75 with a .040" G escapes me - unless it's a marketing thing. "Chris Thile Picks This Set"
    Popular demand, I believe, is why this mixture of gauges was put together. We've been asking for it for a while, as Chris Thile isn't the only one who likes this combination.

  25. #46

    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    coming from a guitar background, I could definently notice a difference between a high e .10 compared to an .11 and not just with bends but the overall feel. I think you could notice a difference, I just put a fresh set on and really like the feel.

  26. #47
    rock in rôle Paul Statman's Avatar
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    Question Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    Quote Originally Posted by shane8002 View Post
    coming from a guitar background, I could definently notice a difference between a high e .10 compared to an .11 and not just with bends but the overall feel. I think you could notice a difference, I just put a fresh set on and really like the feel.
    This doesn't surprise me at the high E, Shane. 0.011" to 0.0115" or 0.012" is also discernible difference. How about feeling/hearing a performance difference between a .040" and a .041", though?

  27. #48
    Registered User LongBlackVeil's Avatar
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    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    Quote Originally Posted by mandopixie View Post
    This doesn't surprise me at the high E, Shane. 0.011" to 0.0115" or 0.012" is also discernible difference. How about feeling/hearing a performance difference between a .040" and a .041", though?
    Agreed, I can notice a much smaller difference when making small changes to unwound strings than I do when it comes to wound strings like the g
    "When you learn an old time fiddle tune, you make a friend for life"

  28. #49

    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    I put my set on, I like them, the coating does not bother me at all like it does on the elixers.
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  29. #50

    Default Re: D'Addario EXP74CM "Chris Thile Gauges" Now Available

    I can notice a diffrence, mostly in the tension on this set.

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