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05 Feb 04 - 11:19 PM (#1110449) Subject: Tech: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GUEST,sorefingers I have been putting Martin Marquis Lights on my DM and until today would get a few weeks of fresh sounds from them. The last few weeks I began finger style with no thumb pick. New strings on yesterday are dead today! What kind of strings would be better? Second Martin guitar question, do these guitars keep changing? Do they improve over time or do they max out after a few years? thank you |
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05 Feb 04 - 11:36 PM (#1110456) Subject: RE: Tech: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: ddw Sorefingers, From the circumstances you describe, the first question I'd ask is: Are you sure the strings are going dead, or are you just not used to the muted sound you get compared to what you heard when you were using picks? The second question would be: Do your hands sweat a lot when you're playing? I'd guess the first might be a large part of the problem, but if you're adding sweat from a picking hand (which wouldn't be on the strings if you're using a pick) to the mix you might be getting some extra deadening. Don't know the specific strings you mention, but I've always found Martin strings very heavy on the base and very thin in the treble. I know their gauges tend to run to extremes in comparison with other strings. You might be looking for a more balanced set. I've been using D'Addario phosphor bronze for a long time and I'm really happy with the results. cheers, david |
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05 Feb 04 - 11:52 PM (#1110463) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GUEST,sorefingers Thanks David, I am a little peeved about this since for the first time in 2 months I went out yesterday and bought a new set - 5 bucks -. These strings sounded great after I put them on and when I play them with a pick - the most popular method here in Tx. Indeed I hardly ever play finger style, almost 20 years since I did a lot of Rag etc., but this guitar just drags me into all kinds of odd stuff, anyway after I played a few hours on it playing finger style the bass strings went dead. I mean they stopped ringing when next played with a flat pick. Sustain is gone but typical Martin it still booms but not in a zingy way. Oddly my hads used sweat when I was young - but now being an old timer they don't. Could I be the victim of a bad batch of strings? Martin Strings are not as heavy here as you suggest. These begin at 52Th" and end at 12Th". |
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06 Feb 04 - 12:18 AM (#1110475) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: DonMeixner Hi Fingers, I think you are giving Marquis' more credit and more use than they deserve. I find that Martin Bronze lights, my string of choice for 25 years, to be the equal to Marquis in every level but price. Maybe not as bright initially but they stayed brighter longer. I did prefer Darco New Yorkers to the Bronze Lights but they are no longer available to me in my area. Also Martins are bass heavy guitars and will sound a little muddy towards the end of a strings life. Don |
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06 Feb 04 - 01:16 AM (#1110497) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GUEST,Guest I remember an Art Thieme concert some years ago where Art suggested the following remedy for dull guitar strings. I paraphrase as well as I can remember. 1. Loosen all the wound strings until there is very little tension at all. This causes a compression of the windings and squeezes all the crap (dirt/sweat) out of the strings. 2. Take each string in turn and draw it back as far as you can (like you were about to fire an arrow from a bow). 3. Release the string allowing it to violently strike the fretboard. All the crap will fly off the string. 4. Give it a wipe with a rag and retune - you're good to go another coupla weeks! |
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06 Feb 04 - 01:17 AM (#1110498) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: Mark Clark I used to use Marquis many years ago and always had the same problem, they didn't really last. I play both finger style (with thumbpick only) and flatpick styles. I haven't tracked Darco but I seem to remember that Martin bought Darco about 30 years ago so they may have discontinued the brand. These days I'm using medium gauge (.013 - .056) Martin Acoustic SP® 80/20 Bronze strings. The SP indicates Sustained Playability and I seem to be getting good life out of them. I don't have much experience with light gauge, they don't seem to have enough mass to bring out the full tonal range on my D-41 so I never buy them. - Mark |
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06 Feb 04 - 02:28 AM (#1110514) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: Kaleea Now I'm wondering if my ears have gone deaf. I've been using the same brand-- Martin Marquis strings-- on my old '64 Gibson for 20+ years, with frequent changes & have noticed no change in tone. My old J-45 "Rosewood" has the Rosewood bridge instead of bone, so it is a softer sounding instrument to begin with. Plus, I am a "fangerpicker" & only use a flatpick when I absolutely have to so that I won't hear that crisp sound all of you are getting. The string packs I have are all from an order a few months ago, so I do not have them right off the current assembly line. Is it possible that there are some too-old-out-of-date strings out there that a couple of 'Catters "coincidentally happened" to get? I'm very curious now if I/we should change brands. I'd like to hear from the manufacturer if they are doing anything different (if they'd really tell us!). Or, if there is some reason why they think this is happening. Can we find out? Anybody out there have eyes or ears in a "Martin" string factory? Inquiring minds of we pickers want to know! |
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06 Feb 04 - 03:42 AM (#1110537) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GUEST In all honesty I've always been disapointed in Martin strings. My experience is that they lose their tone very rapidliy. I like D'Addario phosphor bronze and since they come in a sealed plastic wrapper, they are fresh when you buy them. |
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06 Feb 04 - 05:24 AM (#1110595) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: Pete_Standing I do finger style with no picks and as has been said, I can lose some of that bright sound. I don't grow my nails either, they either break or grow at funny angles. I used to use D'Addario phosphor bronze (which are not as bright as oridnary D'Addarios) but got fed up with having to change them frequently to keep any brightness. They do a coated version (not cheap) which is better but I experimented on my other guitar (both S&P) with Elixir strings which are also coated. The Elixirs seem better with less string buzz and they last well tonally. I try to wipe the strings with a rag and some alcohol after a long session and that cleans a lot of the junk off and keeps a bright sound for longer. Is the DM the guitar the one that has a soundboard of reconstituted wood? If so, the sound is unlikely to change with time; if not, the sound will change over the years. |
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06 Feb 04 - 05:41 AM (#1110605) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: Stour Delta I think that unlike their guitars Martin strings are over rated. They start off less bright and seem to tire quickly. I always use Ernie Ball "Earthwood" 80/20 bronze, light gauge are 52 to 11, they sound bright & crisp and last well. Although they tend to be more brittle than other makes, not taking too well to much retuning and at £7 a set are not cheap. Give 'em a try they should be much cheaper over there. |
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06 Feb 04 - 05:47 AM (#1110607) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: John MacKenzie I always swore by La Bella, but don't see them in the shops here in Scotland. John |
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06 Feb 04 - 08:52 AM (#1110689) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: Midchuck DM is a solid spruce top; laminated back & sides. My understanding is that as long as the top is solid, you can expect it to "open up" over time, to some degree. I would also vote for D'Addario PBs as being the most consistently good string around. If you find them to be too bright, though, try the D'Addario "True American" 85/15 bronze strings, which are also cheaper. If you're looking to fingerpick a Martin dread, another string you ought to give a try to is GHS PB True Mediums (standard medium gauge on the two unwound strings and low E; standard light gauge on the other three wound strings). Peter. |
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06 Feb 04 - 09:04 AM (#1110696) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: Bobert First of all, I agree with a couple others that while Martine makes a fine guitar they don't necessarily make the best strings. If you want a real bright sound that will stick around then spend a few more bucks and buy some Elixers(sp). I like D'Merle's myself and occasionally will use John Pearces. But, one thing that I also use is Fast Fret made by "ghs". It is kinda of abrush that has some oil in it and I like run it up and down the strings several times before playing. It will run you about $7 but well worth the investment and will keep your string bright a lot longer... Bobert p.s. If you play bottleneck, *do not* us the Elizer Nanowounds. Way to slick for the slide... |
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06 Feb 04 - 09:07 AM (#1110699) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: Mooh I string with D'Addario phosphor-bronze on my 6, 12, and baritone guitars, and mandolin. All are solid wood tops backs and sides. I used to have a couple of solid top/laminate back and sides guitars which seemed to sound better with bronze strings. I figure the problem with Mr. Fingers' situation has to do with body oils or sweat, atmospheric conditions, airborn dust, or maybe even a changing ear or preference. I've a friend who can kill a set of strings in an afternoon of playing but it will take me a week of hard jamming...his hands are greasy even after a wash. I restring often cause I make my living at this, but I can hear a difference within a couple of hours of play but find the sound quite acceptable for days, less acceptable for another few days, and un-intonate-able (unintonable?) thereafter. This on my everyday teaching and first call performing flat-top. Flesh does sound different than picks so maybe some fingernail is in order? Peace, Mooh. |
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06 Feb 04 - 10:24 AM (#1110745) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GLoux Two points: 1. I prefer John Pearse Phosphor Bronze over D'Addario, because they stay brighter longer for me, although D'Addario strings are a fine product (I'll use them if I can't get Pearse strings). I prefer Phosphor Bronze over Bronze because they stay brighter much longer, although plain Bronze are just a bit brighter when new. I've never liked any of Martin's strings. Thomastic-Infeld are the finest strings I've ever found but they're too expensive to use all the time. To my ear, coated strings (Elixir, etc.) sound muted, not as bright as uncoated. 2. I have a guitar buddy who has a body chemistry such that his hands almost corrode guitar strings. He's so sensitive about it that he will not play guitars other than his own because he doesn't want to ruin other peoples' strings. It's not that his hands are particularly sweaty, but the oils seem to eat away at the strings where both hands touch the strings directly. Sorefingers, are your strings affected by your left hand (assuming your're right-handed)??? Wiping the strings before putting it away does extend their life...keep a soft rag in your case. Plus, washing your hands before playing can also help. -Greg |
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06 Feb 04 - 11:21 AM (#1110781) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: JedMarum I've never been a fan of Martin strings, but for a while used the Martin Bronze strings. The Marquis sound great for about 10 minutes! The Martin Bronze last maybe a few days longer! Some people (like me, for example) have some chemical reaction with strings, especially the phosphur alloys - that causes them to dull in minutes - in my case (and I mean that literally). So I used the coated strings for a while; Elixers. They didn't sound great, but they sounded pretty good and would sound pretty good for a while. Recently I've switched again, this time to Newtone MasterClass Strings (here's a Mudcat thread re: Newtone Strings). Rick Fielding turned me on to these strings when I was in Toronto a couple summers ago, and it took a while to convince me (because in the hot weather I still burn 'em up pretty quickly) BUT; these are truly great sounding strings, and they last. They say their advantage is that they are wound around a round core, whereas most strings are wound around a hex core (and hex cores provide plenty of space for debris to build up). That may be so ... all I know is they sounds excellent and, at least in the cool weather, I can keep 'em on for more the a couple of weeks of hard playing. I bought them on-line in bulk from this site. Very good service, very good price, small business, nice lady (we talked on the phone briefly, she was helpful). I think there are a few quality alternatives to Martin guitar strings. In fact, I've always noticed that Martin Guitars, when they're in the new guitar shop hanging on the display, almost always sound terrible, because their strings are bad!! If Martin took my advice, they'd ship them with Elixers or Newtone, or something that would stand up to time, and many hands playing ... ;-) |
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06 Feb 04 - 11:39 AM (#1110788) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: dwditty I keep coming back to D'Addario J16s on my primary guitar - Collings 000. Frankly I do not much like the tinny sound of new strings - how fortunate for me - so strings last quite a while. I play with mushy old fingertips anyway, and I think that masks the fact that the strings are somewhat dead most ofd the time. I do use Elixirs on my 12 string and other guitars simply because I do not play them as much, so I do not have to spend my life changing strings. BTW, DR Rare strings last quite a long time, and sound about a "week old" when first put on the guitar. dw |
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06 Feb 04 - 01:21 PM (#1110849) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GUEST,FORTUNATO Sorefingers, I use phosopher bronze strings, I like the initial tone. I use D'Addario 13 tops on my Gallagher, I found no advantage in John Pierce strings. Darco went dead sooner. D'Angelico seemed adequate, but D'Addario provided a better initial tone, more balanced. DRs are nearly equal, but on the Gallagher D'Addario has a slight edge in initial tone. In recent months I have bought 3 sets of Martin Marquis and found one string (G) already dead and the others soon to follow. I will buy no more of them. I use DR 12 tops on my Gibson J-45; they perform well. Some will tell you that one or two string makers make all the strings, but in my hands and to my ear there are clear differences in the final product, regardless of who twists them. Regards, Chance |
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06 Feb 04 - 02:32 PM (#1110885) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GUEST,Bleedinggums Y'all have a pretty good point to make, Martin make a damn good guitar, and damn shit strings to go on em. my opinion is that it all changed when they transferred the making of the strings from Nazereth here, to down Mexico! Them cheapskint banditos know shit about strings, and we know shit about Tequila! may be cheaper to make, but the sound is cheaper at the end! Join In My Plea BRING OUR STRINGS BACK HOME MAMMA MARTIN!!!!! |
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06 Feb 04 - 02:51 PM (#1110892) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GUEST,sorefingers Thanks for expert suggestions.I gather that no matter which brand I try, they will all wear out faster if I play finger style on them, but some brands may last longer. Interesting to note, the last set I took off was brighter than the new set is now. And I do recall doing this before, I had to take off a week old set when they died in a few hours! Perhaps I should stay with my usual store, Guitar Tex, and be roaming about the big stores. I liked Jed's idea best because the string company is small and more likely to care. D' Addario sounds like they might work too. I almost forgot, Martin recommends light SPs. So this entier episode could be just me being forgetful. Oh well, older and stupider.... :0) |
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06 Feb 04 - 03:28 PM (#1110907) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: Seaking My HD28 originally came with Martin strings. I tried a couple of sets and became fed-up very quickly with the dull thud the wound strings produced after a very short time playing - no time at all if the fingers got a bit damp. I reverted to the D'addario JD16s I'd got used to on my old Yamaha and have stayed with them ever since. I certainly wouldn't consider spending good money on Martin strings again unless something major changed. |
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06 Feb 04 - 04:58 PM (#1110972) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: McGrath of Harlow That's John Pearse, and though I've never comes across his strings, I'm glad his name came up here, because it reminded me of him. Many many years back, he ran a series of workshops on playing the guitar for singing, at Cecil Sharpe House in London, and that's where I got started finding out how to do it. He's a great lad, and a great teacher. And then he did a series on the TV, teaching for half the programme, and with a guest the other half, and came out with a manual and a teaching record. And then at some point he vanished from Engand, and went across to the States where he seems to be doing good stuff. And this thread reminded me about that, so thanks. If anyone runs into him, out in California, give him him my best. And I'm quite sure his strings are good'uns. |
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06 Feb 04 - 05:01 PM (#1110974) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: McGrath of Harlow Except it's not California - it's Pennsylvania, I see, on checking. |
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06 Feb 04 - 05:19 PM (#1110980) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GUEST,Martin Gibson Time to check in on this and share with you about a fabulous guitar string, the Guild medium bronze phosphors. These strings are bright as the noonday sun, and last a long time. I used to buy them commonly in music stores, but have found that since Fender bought Guild, they are not as easy to find. However, I do order them from the Elderly catalog and buy about a half dozen sets at a time. Last I looked, they were still under $5 per set. They ring! |
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06 Feb 04 - 06:01 PM (#1111000) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: JedMarum just a minor correction ... I meant the dealer from whom I bought the strings, was a small web business. I believe Newtone Strings (from UK)is a smallish complany too - apparently the strings are hand made - not sure if that's an advantage - but they are damn good srings! |
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06 Feb 04 - 06:04 PM (#1111003) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: Walking Eagle Do you have any humidity in your home? I find that a good humidity level helps. I'm looking around for another string brand and I appreciate all of the above links and comments for information. |
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06 Feb 04 - 06:29 PM (#1111014) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: Amos Try Thomastik Infelds -- they can be ordered from Just strings,com. I was really surprised aty how much better sounding and longer-laster they were. A |
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06 Feb 04 - 06:44 PM (#1111028) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: Mark Clark We seem to talk about strings quite a bit here and I see there are at least 32 different threads about strings; still, what we usually get is a long thread of folks saying how much they like or dislike some particular string. Part of the reason for such varied preferences is because of the differences in instruments and our different playing styles and body chemestry as noted in nearly every string thread. Add to that the wildly conflicting claims made by the string merchants (there are many more brands of strings than there are manufacturers) and things get confusing real fast. Are there any actual verifiable facts about strings? For example, one brand may tout the advantages of a hex wire core claiming the “corners” cut into the winding slightly causing it to remain tighter and improve tone and longevity. Then another brand brags about using a round wire core resulting in a longer lasting better sounding string than those inferior hex-core strings. It begins to sound like cigarette ads… all cigarettes are better than all other cigarettes. I see the Newtone supplier that Jed linked warns customers that the string must be brought up to pitch before trimming the excess. Is that because of slippage on the winding? Claims and counter claims abound but… are there any actual facts? - Mark |
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06 Feb 04 - 08:04 PM (#1111081) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GUEST,FORTUNATO SWALLED A TOAD... Additionally, I should mention that you may, Sorefingers, extend the life of your strings, if you wipe, with a cotton bandanna, the strings after each song. Pick a colorful bandanna and it will add sex appeal to your performance. Wipe off the sweat, grease, etc. cheers, chance |
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06 Feb 04 - 09:26 PM (#1111116) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: rangeroger |
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06 Feb 04 - 09:51 PM (#1111129) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: rangeroger Sorry,hit the wrong key. For a very long time, over 25 years, I used Guild Special Alloy Brass strings(80/20) after being turned on to them by Yuris at the Blue Guitar Workshop in San Diego.I can kill a set of phosphor-bronze in a day. When Fender took over Guild(see Martin-Gibson's post) these strings became almost impossible to find. I used both medium and lights. At a Tony Rice workshop he mentioned that he used D'Aquisto Brass masters on his old Martin. I found a good source online,(will leave a blue-clicky thing when I find the URL) and bought a supply in light, medium,and heavy for my 6 and 12 string. Theses are amazing strings. The heavys(58- 14) allowed my 000 6- string to pound out unamplified over the drums and amplified instruments in my church band. It did take out a toll on my fingers,however. When I started playing bass in the band, I changed the 6-string to lights in order to save my hands. I can't kill them. They have been on the guitar 2 years and they still ring and ring. so much so that I want them to die a little to take the edge off. Now mind you, this 6-string had absolutely dead strings on it the day I bought it and when I dropped it into an open D tuning, the sustain and resonance were so outstanding, even with dead strings,that I walked out of the shop with it for $50 down and $50 a month. After the owner had dropped the price from $750 to $500. That was over 20 years ago and it's still my baby. rr |
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06 Feb 04 - 11:55 PM (#1111179) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GUEST,sorefingers This box is becomming a family item, not exactly owned by any one person, so I have to wipe down after playing, kinda like flushing the bowl in the loo. Talk about GAS from the guitar point of view, PAS ...lol; like a pop star this one has a mind of its own!, suppose it likes the attention. On the other boxes and strings, I am not surprised to read about the HD 28 getting a sore throat - I once had to play a D 28 which had the same mighty sound with newish strings, later enjoying the tubbies was always a treat worth waiting for. My hands, however, complained a lot. The 41 - I would love to try out, but mine would not tolerate those heavier medium gauge strings. Probably vibrate the tuners off, or some thing else would get loose. There is no comparrison to the 000 models since the Dread has all that boomroom, so it probably would not respond to midrange at all wheras the Auditorium model is midrange. BTW at 500 I think you got a bargain there. |
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07 Feb 04 - 08:13 AM (#1111318) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: Fortunato Rangeroger, thanks for the tip on d'aquisto, I'll give them a try. I read the blurb on juststrings.com about the company's production methods, and was impressed. One would imagine that Tony Rice would endorse a good product. I'll let you know how they stand up to the d'addario and DRs on my guitars. cheers, Chance |
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07 Feb 04 - 08:54 AM (#1111330) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: Midchuck Those people who said they like the sound of heavier strings but their hands wouldn't tolerate them - did you have the instrument set up for the heavier strings? If it's set up right for lights, the action will be difficult with mediums - more pull on the neck puts more curve in it, the action comes up. Other way around, an instrument set up for mediums will feel silky with lights - but you may get buzzing if you try to play above a whisper. Of course, there are relatively few guitars tough enough for heavy gauge strings, unless you're playing in a lower tuning or stringing a twelve as a six. That's why there are so few of them (heavy strings) on the market. Martin expressly says "no heavier than medium" on pretty much all of their new instruments. This is particularly a concern if the instrument has scalloped bracing. Peter. |
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07 Feb 04 - 10:32 AM (#1111376) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: JedMarum Mark - good point re: one manufacturer touting their particulars as opposed to their competitors, one says a particular feature is a strength, the other says the same feature is a disadvantage (eg, hex core holds the windings better and is therfore an advantage, the other says round doesn't collect debris and is therefore an advanatge). I don;t have a scientific approach to quantifying these claims - but my considerable experience tells me that the round core Newtone strings truly are superior sounding, and they last reasonably well. As you say, Newtone says to tune before you clip excess - something I always do anyway - something I though was standard practice. I have changed strings on my instruments as few as once and as many as 4 or 5 times a month - but mostly about twice monthly. I play a lot, so I am quite well aware how well my strings hold up. My guitar (a Larrivee J10) holds its tune very well, and these strings are no exception. They hold their tune very well. I don;t think I've noticed strings that don't - but maybe that's becasue I use good strings, even when I switch around - and I've developed a good technique for restringing and tuning. Restringing, I am sure to wrap a good amount of the string onto the tuner - not so much that the excess casues overlap, but enough so that several wraps are made on all tuners. Then, when I tune to pitch, sometimes I stop at one or two half steps below, just to play with the low tuned guitar for a while (I love the sound) - I bring the guitar up and pull the strings bow-like, retune, play for a while, pull the strings up, bow-like, retune, play and repeat for a while. After doing this two, maybe three times - the strings will pretty muchstay where they should - but I almost always play for an hour or so - and be sure the instrument is perfectly when tuned when I put it away. Doing these things has kept my strings pretty well in tune - all stretched in. |
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07 Feb 04 - 10:51 AM (#1111386) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: John Hardly D'Addario EXP 80/20. Coated but don't feel like it. last forever. Ok, that's an exaggeration, but they last longer than any string I've ever tried. Mark Clark is right about the SP's though. They last longer than any uncoated string I've ever tried. |
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07 Feb 04 - 06:43 PM (#1111577) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: Richard Bridge One of the issues here, unarticulated, is what a "good" sounding string sounds like. The Martin Bronzes (and to a lesser extent phosphor bronzes) tend to sound resonant but not jangly. I find D'addarios a little thin, over-bright (twangy in the bass), and a bit sort of shivery. Others might think they sounded nicely present. I do like the D'Acquistos, but find the Brass a bit brittle. I prefer the Bronze Masters, and find the treble clear and biting, but not fuzzy. But Elixir's are OK(ish) in sound and do last an age - albeit difficulat to find in music shops. The other factor is that some guitars prefer different strings to others... |
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11 Feb 04 - 12:55 AM (#1113772) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GUEST,sorefingers On reading the recommended strings for the box and realizing we never tried those, I got and installed them. I also learned that some stores may have old stock strings and that would account for the rapid demise of the Marquis strings. IOW there is nothing wrong with the brand - rather it is the meanie stores selling out of date product. Martin SP + 4200 - the recommended strings- is the exact label and they are far better than any I tried before. Interesting, these strings have golden colored B and E strings. Also they are 14 bucks a set but the clerk said they would last a lot longer than the Marquis. He also suggested cleaning the strings down after use. Considering the cost I may do that. Thank You all for the help and suggestions - from which I learned some very useful stuff. :0) |
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11 Feb 04 - 02:43 PM (#1114242) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GUEST,Van Giok Like you I use La Bella (silk 'n steel) I don't know where you are in Scotland but I find mine in the guitar shop in Stafford Street Edinburgh if that's any help. I tried Martin bronze strings once and found that they sounded good for about a day then died - an expensive treat. |
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11 Feb 04 - 09:05 PM (#1114533) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: Mr Happy when my strings go dead, I boil 'em. |
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12 Feb 04 - 09:02 AM (#1114818) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GUEST,Guest The answer is Martin strings are crap . I have a Martin D28 and wouldn't dream of putting Martin Stings on - I've tried Bronze /Phosphor Bronze etc. - truth is they're a poor product and as many subsctribers have said - go dead very quickly . Some tech reasearch required Martin - there must be a reason when D'Addario and others are no problem. |
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12 Feb 04 - 01:29 PM (#1114998) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: kendall D'Addario phosper bronze and Fast Fret. Unbeatable combo. |
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12 Feb 04 - 02:14 PM (#1115027) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GUEST,Norton1 Sorry - forgot my cookie - but let's add another spin on this if you don't mind. I've used D'Aderios (sp) for quite some time. Get a good chunk of life out of them and they sound lively in Bluegrass mode flat picked, and carry a good chunk of volume on finger picking (yes Jed - you and Mick rubbed off on me and I learned) Sooooo - my Mossman has been intonated. I was told by the luthier that once intonated I could never use any other string but the one it was intonated with. That would be D'Aderio light gauge. And to some degree that makes sense. To me only as far as the string size is concerned - or does anyone have any experience with same gauge string but different manufacturer? Steve |
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12 Feb 04 - 03:30 PM (#1115071) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: s & r Have you tried using coate strings |
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13 Feb 04 - 02:31 PM (#1115368) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GUEST,Van Norton1 Can you tell me what intonated means. Out of ignorance and curiosity. |
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13 Feb 04 - 06:42 PM (#1115498) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: Murray MacLeod Van, if you check out This thread you will find out exactly what Norton1 has had done to his Mossman. I must admit I have never heard the process referred to as "intonated" either, but it surely is an apt description. |
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14 Feb 04 - 04:15 PM (#1115998) Subject: RE: Martin Guitar / Strings going dead why? From: GUEST,Van Thanks. I've never had problems with my acoustic gutar but my Strat wasn't right. My son in law sorted it out for me and now it plays better. I would have called it setting it up. Not that it matters but I now know what norton1 meant. |