• HRJ
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Topic: Joe's Acoustic Strings

Anyone know what string gauge JB uses on his acoustics? I know it probably varies but say for example what does he use on 'woke up dreamin'?
Thanks

2 Reply by JBJHJM (edited by JBJHJM 2009-03-30 20:35:44)

  • From: Germany / Hamburg
  • Registered: 2008-08-11
  • Posts: 494

Re: Joe's Acoustic Strings

I'd be interested, too.
And does he use Jazz III picks for Woke Up Dreaming, too?

Here are my tabbed songs by "Smokin' Joe": http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=7236
I LIKE MUSIC! big_smile big_smile big_smile
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Joe's Acoustic Strings

JBJHJM wrote:

I'd be interested, too.
And does he use Jazz III picks for Woke Up Dreaming, too?

according to his article in Guitar Player, he uses .11's on everything

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
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  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
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Re: Joe's Acoustic Strings

Dean Markley accoustic strings 0.11-0.52 perhaps?

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2007-09-30
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Re: Joe's Acoustic Strings

Ernie Balls 11-52's - He's endorsed by them.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Joe's Acoustic Strings

yup Ernie Ball for all strings.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Lee
  • Lee
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  • From: Minnesota
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
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Re: Joe's Acoustic Strings

JBJHJM wrote:

And does he use Jazz III picks for Woke Up Dreaming, too?

I noticed in some photos I took at recent shows that he uses a different pick for "Woke Up Dreaming" - at least he did that night. It was black or dark brown, not the red Jazz III.

  • From: Germany / Hamburg
  • Registered: 2008-08-11
  • Posts: 494

Re: Joe's Acoustic Strings

Lee wrote:
JBJHJM wrote:

And does he use Jazz III picks for Woke Up Dreaming, too?

I noticed in some photos I took at recent shows that he uses a different pick for "Woke Up Dreaming" - at least he did that night. It was black or dark brown, not the red Jazz III.

Thanks! I thought something like that - I played Woke Up Dreaming with a Jazz III pick some time, but it was incredibly hard to play hmm --- and NOT just because it IS hard to play tongue

Here are my tabbed songs by "Smokin' Joe": http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=7236
I LIKE MUSIC! big_smile big_smile big_smile
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Joe's Acoustic Strings

JBJHJM wrote:
Lee wrote:
JBJHJM wrote:

And does he use Jazz III picks for Woke Up Dreaming, too?

I noticed in some photos I took at recent shows that he uses a different pick for "Woke Up Dreaming" - at least he did that night. It was black or dark brown, not the red Jazz III.

Thanks! I thought something like that - I played Woke Up Dreaming with a Jazz III pick some time, but it was incredibly hard to play hmm --- and NOT just because it IS hard to play tongue

try fingerpicking it. that's what he does on Blues Deluxe. It was in traditional blues fashion. He cannot do it live because he plays too many shows and it will KILL his fingers.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Germany / Hamburg
  • Registered: 2008-08-11
  • Posts: 494

Re: Joe's Acoustic Strings

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

try fingerpicking it. that's what he does on Blues Deluxe. It was in traditional blues fashion. He cannot do it live because he plays too many shows and it will KILL his fingers.

I think there's no way to play the *original* live version of Woke Up Dreaming with finger picking - at least for me. There may be some guys who are able to do it, but the whole solo???!

Listen to the LFNIP version of WOD, and say it again roll

Here are my tabbed songs by "Smokin' Joe": http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=7236
I LIKE MUSIC! big_smile big_smile big_smile
  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: Joe's Acoustic Strings

In Guitarist mag his LP has D'Addarios yikes (SHOCK HORROR!) probably not actually his mind you tongue

Anywho, yes, .11-.52 ernie ball on his acoustics too.

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Joe's Acoustic Strings

The only strings that go on my guitars are D'Addarios.  Maybe Joe just needs to come out and admit he does too lol!!!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Germany / Hamburg
  • Registered: 2008-08-11
  • Posts: 494

Re: Joe's Acoustic Strings

Jimi_lp wrote:

In Guitarist mag his LP has D'Addarios yikes (SHOCK HORROR!) probably not actually his mind you tongue

Anywho, yes, .11-.52 ernie ball on his acoustics too.

Shock horror - right. But later I realized that they sound VERY different from guitar to guitar. I played them on a Gibson LP - horrible. I played them on a Fender Strat - terrible. I played them on a PRS - GREAAAT!!!

Here are my tabbed songs by "Smokin' Joe": http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=7236
I LIKE MUSIC! big_smile big_smile big_smile

14 Reply by stratpaulguy86 (edited by stratpaulguy86 2009-04-02 04:13:44)

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Joe's Acoustic Strings

I actually prefer the sound of Ernie Ball strings but I kill them too quickly.  I think they are a little easier to bend, sound a little crisper, and have a very consistant sound.  However, I have on many occasions wore out a set of them in one day.  They dull pretty quickly and I have a tendancy to break a lot of them.  The D'Addarios can be bought in bulk cheaper, last a bit longer, and IMO are a little more durable.  If I was endorsed by Ernie Ball and they would send me boxes of strings so I could restring every other day I would love them.  It would be awesome if they did a lifetime supply of strings contest!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.