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31 May 10 - 05:55 PM (#2917984) Subject: Guitar strings From: GUEST,Guest Tony I,ve ordered a MARTIN D-15M and would appreciate any advice on what strings would bring out the best sound for this Guitar. I read a review that recommends Dean Markley acoustic gold, goldphos. Thanks. |
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31 May 10 - 06:11 PM (#2917995) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: Leadfingers My old D 35 likes Daddario Mediums - A Luthier friend told me that Dreadnought Martins dont like Light Guage strings , but its all a matter of personanl preference |
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01 Jun 10 - 12:30 PM (#2918310) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,Ray Daddario strings were a revelation when they were first produced in the mid 1970's and you won't go far wrong with them. I have recently been using Elixir on a couple of guitars - chiefly because they last so long on guitars that only get played once in a while. The problem with this thread will be that if you ask 100 people to recommend something, you're likely to get 100 different answers. Ray |
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01 Jun 10 - 01:55 PM (#2918362) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: Will Fly I'm a huge fan of Elixir Nanoweb coated Lites (.012-.053). They have a wonderful clarity and last a very long time. I can dull Martin's Lite Gauge in a day, but Elixirs last much longer. If you prefer a less bright sound, they're not for you, but I love them. Cons: The 3rd and 4ths tend to break - I personally believe the cores are slightly too thin for the external winding - but, in spite of that, I would use no other. Just a personal choice... :-) |
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01 Jun 10 - 04:28 PM (#2918487) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: Gurney I agree with Will and Ray, Elixir strings are VERY bright sounding. They are also loud, but are 'slippery' when you slide up the string, so the 'finger' noise is minimal. They last a long time. To my ear, they don't have a lot of bottom, though, so aren't very mellow. They were great on my old jumbo, but a little bright on my new one. If you try a set, you'll wait a while before you need to change them. |
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01 Jun 10 - 04:55 PM (#2918502) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: Bobert This depends on what kind of music you play... The Elixir Nanoweb play and sound real clean if that is yer sound... The de Aderios are a decent all around strings, too... I like something a little more oragnic and play mostly John Pearses which I think "season" faster which is important for slide players... B~ |
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01 Jun 10 - 05:01 PM (#2918506) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: Bob Hitchcock I used to put John Pearse strings on my Martin D 28 for years, then switched to Elixir's for a while as they do last longer. I have now gone back to the Pearse's because they just sound better and feel a lot better. Bob |
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01 Jun 10 - 09:18 PM (#2918742) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: michaelr John Pearse phosphor bronze mediums on my Lowden. Have used them for a dozen years and see no reason to change, even though I have to special order them because the stores around here won't stock them. I am curious about the new RED strings (higher copper content). Has anyone here tried them? |
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02 Jun 10 - 12:47 PM (#2919092) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine In my opinion, there's no substitute for trial and error. What works on one guitar with one player won't necessarily work for you and your guitar. After many years of trying different brands I settled on D'Addarios, they seem to be consistently good, and- maybe I'm just a gentler player than I was- but I can't remember when I last broke a string. |
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02 Jun 10 - 04:03 PM (#2919230) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: PoppaGator I've been using Red Brand mediums on my D-18 for a while now. When I put on my first set, I was so fascinated by the tone that I felt like I did as a teenager playing my first few chords on my new guitar ~ the sound was just so great, so deep and resonant, that I felt like I was playing a new, better instrument. If you prefer phosphor bronze to "regular" bronze, you'll probably like the Reds: Per Wikipedia: "Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive, but sometimes with other elements such as phosphorus, manganese, aluminium, or silicon." Traditional "80/20" bronze strings are 80% copper; phosphor bronze is about 92% copper, and the new Red strings are 99% copper. I've asked what the other 1% might be, and they're not saying; might be a trade secret. Whatever it is, it prevents the copper from oxydizing and turning green like the Statue of Liberty. I've been fortunate enough to receive a number of free sets from Red via two different promotions*. Good thing; they're not cheap: 12 bucks by mail order. Along with several sets of free-sample Reds in my preferred weight/guage (medium/13), they also sent one set of their other product, Cleartone phosphor bronze, which are supposedly similar to coated Elixir-type strings in longevity without the slick feeling. After playing on Reds for a while, the phosphor bronzes sounded thinner and "tinnier" than what I had become used to. (Makes sense, since there's more tin alloyed with the copper.) "MMMV," of course (Your mileage may vary). Whether you like the Red Brand strings or not, I think we can all agree that medium rather than light weight strings are the best choice with Martin dreadnaughts. Well, most of us ~ "all" of any group never agrees on anything! *The free-sample promotions have been publicized on the company's facebook page; I'd recommend you check that out if you can. If not, try www.redstrings.com. An interesting pro-and-con discussion on the Acoustic Guitar forum: http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=029275 |
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02 Jun 10 - 04:16 PM (#2919247) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,Songbob "...if you ask 100 people to recommend something, you're likely to get Fixed! I use Elixers, Martin, John Pearse, D'Darrio, Red, SIT, whatever I find. I like most of 'em, and each has its own characteristic. I used to use Mapes, 'back in the day', 'cause they came with extra 1st & 2d strings, and were dirt cheap. Trial and error, don't use too heavy (dreadnoughts do fine with lights OR mediums, archtops like mediums better, older guitars may need extra lights), some strings start out bright and go dull fast, others (John Pearse, for one) start out "broken in" and stay that way for months of playing, others will sound like crap from day one. How about trying two different brands, or three, and then tell us what you think. If you start with Elixers, you may not report back for months! Bob |
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03 Jun 10 - 12:22 AM (#2919563) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: Collingsgirl I use John Pearse PB Mediums on the Collings dreadnought guitars. I haven't found anything that sounds better. On an OM or parlor guitar, same thing in the light version. Tinker around, experiment- it'll come to you :) |
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03 Jun 10 - 06:29 PM (#2920066) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,Guest Tony Thanks all, really appreciate your advice. I knew I could rely on the Mudcatters. I,m really excited about having ordered a Martin and wanted strings that would really compliment the guitar and provide the best sound. Thank you again. |
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16 Sep 14 - 05:01 PM (#3660911) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: Musket I try all sorts on the basis they are all cheaper than Elixir nanoweb. Them I go back to Elixir anyway. Tone, tuning and lack of squeak. Every time. |
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16 Sep 14 - 06:12 PM (#3660928) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,twerp Too right, Musket. Back to Elixirs every time |
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16 Sep 14 - 07:36 PM (#3660954) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: michaelr I switched from John Pearse to Elixir Nanowebs a couple of years ago, just because they last longer. |
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17 Sep 14 - 07:32 AM (#3661125) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: Einsetumadur Light Elixir Nanoweb on a Martin DM Dreadnought - the finest sound I've ever reached. |
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17 Sep 14 - 07:56 AM (#3661141) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,gillymor Mostly Daddario EJ-17,EJ-16 and Dadgad sets for me but more importantly wiping down the strings with a flannel cloth after every playing session and treating strings and fretboard with Dr. Duck's Axe Wax whenever action slows. Strings stay lively for a very long time with this treatment and the action stays fast. |
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17 Sep 14 - 08:01 AM (#3661144) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,Ian Have recently been using tanglewood coated strings. To me they sound good and at £10 a set they are good value. |
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17 Sep 14 - 08:13 AM (#3661155) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: cptsnapper I use either D'Addario 85/15 or D'Addario Flat Tops both medium gauge |
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17 Sep 14 - 09:04 AM (#3661170) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker Ok, I know fresh strings make a lot of difference, but I'm not an acoustic player. I own too many electric guitars to be able to afford restringing for the sake of it. On electrics I seem to prefer really old dulled strings, as long as they still hold their tuning. I tend to roll the tone control almost completely off anyway, to reduce harsh shrill tones. Our basss player kept the same strings on for over 20 years until the singer bought him a new set and forced him to change them. |
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17 Sep 14 - 11:45 AM (#3661234) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,Desi C Couple of friends with Martins I know use Elixir Nanoweb, as I do myself on my Cradter, and very happy with them |
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19 Sep 14 - 06:30 PM (#3662009) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,mauvepink Depends on what youfind pleasing. Personally I only use Daddario PBs on all my work guitars. 11s are great for everything I do and I would be very sad to these strings go off the market. mp |
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25 Sep 14 - 02:46 AM (#3663490) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: Backwoodsman The Martin Dreads get Martin MSP 7200 Lifespan PB Medium 13-56 The Martin OM gets Martin MSP 7100 Lifespan PB Light 12-54 The Lowden gets Newtone Masterclass PB Custom Light 12-54 The Fylde Mandolin gets D'Addario PB 11-40 |
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16 Apr 17 - 04:58 AM (#3850688) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: Big Al Whittle whatever happened to Nashville Straights - they used to cost a tenner when ordinary strings were about thirty bob? |
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16 Apr 17 - 06:16 AM (#3850696) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,Bignige There is a story that Merle Travis was asked by a young admirer "Mr Travis what strings do you use"? Merle thinks for a moment and replies "well son I use guitar strings". enough said. |
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16 Apr 17 - 10:09 AM (#3850709) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,Ray Oops! Nashville straights were quite good strings but, due to the packaging, it was difficult to fit a spare set in your guitar case. I don't remember them being significantly more expensive than the usual suspects but I suspect that they post dated decimalisation so the others wouldn't have been 30 bob at that time! |
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16 Apr 17 - 12:15 PM (#3850723) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: Big Al Whittle the country may have gone metric in the the 1970's - i didn't. |
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16 Apr 17 - 05:41 PM (#3850756) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,Ray Doesn't it largely depend on who's selling them? |
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01 Jun 19 - 07:32 AM (#3994772) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST Elixir gets my vote too. I'd forgotten about Mapes, anyone remember Cathedral? Oh and Albion? Are Vinci still around?Time for a new thread Ithink! |
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01 Jun 19 - 10:07 AM (#3994786) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,colin Holt D'Addario every time.... I've used them for 30 years .. and always get my vote. Great supportive company as well. |
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01 Jun 19 - 10:49 AM (#3994794) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: gillymor I have to agree about D'Addario. I've never pulled a dead string out of their sealed packaging and I can't say the same about any other brand I've tried that comes in unsealed packaging (always a good idea to check out the wound strings in paper packaging for oxidization when you can) plus they come 3 sets in a pack at a good price. Then, it's been so long since I've tried other brands that they might have caught up with D' for all I know. |
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01 Jun 19 - 12:29 PM (#3994801) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,Ray Weren’t Albion an early incarnation of Newtone? From what I remember they were pretty awful. Northfield, in fact, make really good strings nowadays. In the last couple of years they’ve undergone a change in both ownership and premises. Their mandola strings are cheaper than D’Addario and the best thing is that they will make up custom sets of more or less anything you want. They have made me custom sets of octave mandolin strings with ball ends which are impossible to source at anything like the same price in the UK. They also only charge a couple of quid for shipping |
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01 Jun 19 - 01:36 PM (#3994812) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: punkfolkrocker Surely in this age of premium priced custom shop reproduction 'authenticaly' pre-aged and reliced guitars, string manufacturers could charge even more for brand new strings that are already starting to rust in the packaging...??? |
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01 Jun 19 - 01:55 PM (#3994817) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: gillymor Brilliant, pfr, the snob appeal would be off the charts. |
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01 Jun 19 - 05:02 PM (#3994836) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: Rusty Dobro I used a particular brand for a while because they were made in the little town where I grew up, and I wanted to show some support. Then I heard that the boss had a vast underground garage full of vintage Bugattis, so I figured they could manage without me. Elixir Nanowebs these days, for the reasons given above. |
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02 Jun 19 - 11:37 AM (#3994936) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: Stringsinger It always depends on the individual guitar. I use John Pearse medium lights on my Martin 0021. I think they are 12's. I'm using a light gauge jazz string on my Gibson 345. The B.B. King set works well here too. You have to experiment and try different brands to find the right ones. |
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02 Jun 19 - 11:51 AM (#3994940) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: punkfolkrocker I've a brand new good quality Epiphone semi acoustic gibson copy I bought cheap 3 or 4 years ago, I tweaked bridge and trust rod as best as I could for my preferred lowest string height. But still had a little fret buzz. So I raised the string gauge to a new set of Ernie Ball Power Slinky 11-48 - problems solved... [can't remember if the guitar was factory fitted with 9s or 10s...???] |
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19 Jan 21 - 05:05 PM (#4088845) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,DTM Back in my R'n'R days (1960s), I used Monopole electric guitar strings. IIRC, they were chrome wound and were very smooth. I haven't seen them for years. Are they still around? |
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20 Jan 21 - 06:26 AM (#4088897) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: JHW "if you ask 100 people to recommend something, you're likely to get 100 105 different answers." Absolutely but I suppose you could see which get most enthusiasts. I stick with D'Addario on my Gurian but it's not a common guitar. I didn't like the flat finished strings, ie round wound then somehow ground flat. Felt stiff. Not seen the Reds mentioned here so equally something unknown might be worth a try. |
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20 Jan 21 - 06:56 AM (#4088906) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: Backwoodsman If memory serves me correctly, Red (brand) strings are no longer on the market. Red (colour) strings however... DR Neon Reds |
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20 Jan 21 - 09:50 AM (#4088930) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,James Phillips I have tried all the "fancy" strings with funny coating and wild claims about enhanced longevity and tone, and didn't like them. Something in the feel and the sound. I always end up back with my basic D'Addario EJ16's. They're just perfect. Longevity isn't an issue for me because I buy strings in bulk and change weekly. |
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20 Jan 21 - 10:56 AM (#4088940) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: Mooh I tend to dislike coated or treated strings except for some extra protection in super humid outdoor festival conditions. However the new D'Addario XT acoustic strings seem to feel and sound just like the tried and true EJ16 sets I've used for years. If they last longer, long enough to offset the extra cost, I might have a new preference. |
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20 Jan 21 - 03:24 PM (#4088977) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,James Phillips I think I have a set of XT's on my Telecaster but I never play it often or long enough to have formed a solid opinion of them! |
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21 Jan 21 - 03:33 PM (#4089135) Subject: RE: Guitar strings From: GUEST,CabinFeverPicker Our basss player kept the same strings on for over 20 years until the singer bought him a new set and forced him to change them. all 105+ opinions welcome the above made me laugh likewise the Merle Travis line! the basss must sound (badAss) with new strings This thread has become a huge spam magnet, so if you want to add something to it please ask a moderator to reopen it. For now, the spammers are blocked. ---mudelf |