Acoustic Guitar Strings

[Armistice]

Just put a set of Thomastiks on for the first time - unusual - low E is round wound but the other three bronze strings are flatwound - thicker gauges around the bottom end too. Thought they my give a "softer" sound for recording. Don't know I'd use them live but they could sound nice recorded. The flatwounds also cut down on string slide noises although they're harder to push against.

Anyone else use them? They're Austrian, I believe.

Cheers

 

[UhOh]

I was using elixirs not completely happy
Just got a batch of Martin's from stringthis.com
They are so cheap from them that I can change them as often as I want.
They are cheaper because they don't come rolled in the bags, they come straight.
They sound good on my Yamaha and my Martin.
I also am trying two different string spray coatings I got from them that is supposed to extend string life. It definitely seems to make playing the strings smoother and more comfortable.
I like it!

 

[arjun]

I use the Elixir Polywebs, but I haven't really tried anything else. They sound pretty good to my ears, and I don't have to change them frequently. Once I get through the next pack I have, I'll probably try out something else like D'Addario.

 

[MK-Ultra]

I use the strings that made that Taylor whisper in my ear: "hey big boy, wanna take me home tonight?"

Elixirs.

I've tried conventional strings, but, for recording, they change tone all too quickly, especially if I am having difficulty with a take (which is often these days, 'cause I don't play as much as I should).

 

[btr31]

I agree with your assessment of the Elixers. To me they sound dull when you first put them on. I like D'addarrio's mediums to minimize the high tones of the Taylor guitars.

Hey Light, what do you think about the DR's Rare strings. Over at the Acoustic Guitar forumn they say they're pretty good. Something about the strings giving a woody sound to the guitar. Whatever that means.

i like the high tones of the taylor guitars and think thats where they shine. wouldn't want to minimize, more want to bring out its strengths. if you want something that strives with low end, get a martain.

 

[jt93]

i run martin m120's. the standard martin strings in light. i have tried the s&p and the marquis and they suck imho compared to the 120's.

this is on 000-1, 000-15ce (mahog) and d35. same strings on all of em.

 

[garth04]

I have to update my comment on DR's. I think I must have gotten a gauge that was too light for this guitar before. I tried .13(high E) mediums and they are sounding nice. A tad bit too metallic for my taste but balanced and clear. These are the extra life coated DR's.

I'm still on the lookout for strings for steel string that don't sound metallic, worn Martin marquis are still the closest. Will try D'addario or Elixers next.

 

[Marcellovalerio]

what brand are best for 12 strings guitar? If i want to record my guitar i might want some strings that stay great for just a short periode

 

[a12stringer]

I play a 12-string. I've had good results with Martin SP. But every guitar is individual and will respond differently to different brands of strings. I've also been pleased with D'Addario phosphor bronze.
The best advice I can give is to contact the guitar maker/manufacturer and find out what strings are being used in the factory to string the guitars since that is likely the set that was on the guitar when you first picked it up in the store and fell in love with it.

 

[asulger]

I like martin mediums bronze tuned to c# on my gibson b45. From about day 2 or 3, then lasting about a month they sound incredible.
I've tried Elixirs - and agree with the mostly positive opinions about (sound about 90%, last way longer). They also remove finger squeek almost entirely, so if that is a problem for you, check 'em out.
Aren't martins and most other brands made in the same place?
I assume Nutone's, Elixers, John Pearse, and a few others are unique, but I suspect D'addario, Martin, Black...whatever, and some other brands are just re-branded.

 

[cavedog101]

When I bought my last guitar,a Taylor, it came with Elixirs.I liked the feel and sound....I dont like the first two or three days of an acoustic string, its gotta seat and cool off a bit to be right for me.....So, I bought a case of em.err....24 sets....The first six sets were just like the original ones on the guitar.The next 12 sets, a string broke a day or two after stringing...NOT the same string each time...and theres nothing wrong with the setup or the guitar...I emailed Elixir several times about this thinking I got a bad batch. NO RESONSE.NOTHING ...NADA...@over $8 per set in bulk you'd think they'd respond...Fuck em......I use Martin SP's and D'Addarios now..Like Light, I can get the D'adds really cheap and I'll use them for times when I'm playing a lot and changing often.$2.50 a set is nothing ..I love the SP's for recording.I tried the DR's recently and its really not bad.I REALLY dont like Elixir but it has nothing to do with the string itself...Just their customer support.

 

[Newbie-Doo]

You needed to add "The Cheapest Ones on The Rack" to your selections.

That's the brand I usually buy.

I wonder how many of those brands come out of the same factories? 90% of the guitars seem to come out of the same factories, why not strings?

One of Satan's helpers (guitar center salesman) told me that there were only 3 companies manufacturing strings. This was several years ago though...

 

[trion12]

I think it depends on the guitar.
I like Elixir Nanos on my Taylor 714CE but those same strings killed the tone on my Martins.

I think the Elixirs work well with Taylors because both the guitar and the strings are made with a sparkley high end in mind and little bass. i.e. they cpmplement each other.

My Martin D35 has always sounded best with D'Addario EJ16 strings.

My Martin OMC-28 LJ sounds most astounding with Newtone Masterclass strings.
The Newtones are something else for fingerstyle!
I might also add that the D'Addario EJ16's sound kind of blah on this guitar and a set of Darco D2200's (cheapies) sounded better!

Aaron

 

[justapicker]

Different strings for different guitars. I like Martin SP Phosphor Bronze on my 000 Martin and Elixer Nanowebs on the Taylor Dread. The old beater Guild takes anything I stick on it. It all depends on how YOU think a particular box should sound.

 

[sile2001]

As many have said...you feed the guitar what it likes to eat best.

I have a late 90's Takamine F360 that sounds ok on Elixirs, but (much as I hate the feel of them) it absolutely sings on Martin SP's. I tried DR Rare's on my Taylor 410rce and it totally killed the sound. Went back to Elixir Polywebs and it came back to life. My Taylor 614ce will never see anything but Elixer Nanowebs, because they give that guitar EXACTLY the sound that I bought it for.

As to electric strings, I have a nice ESP Les Paul knockoff and a USA Strat. Tried Di'Darios (or however you spell them) and they were WAY too twangy on both guitars. Went to DR Titefits and they were the ticket for the Strat, but still left the ESP sounding thin. Switched it to GHS Boomers and now it roars!

Just give the guitar what it wants! Who cares what other people use...

 

[philboyd studge]

I voted for Elixir but also use bulk Martins on some instruments including nylon, Adamas on the mandocello, and Vega strings on the banjos.

 

[zer0sig]

i used to swear by DR on anything, but nowadays i prefer to just buy in bulk. it's hard to go wrong with about 40 bucks for 12 custom-sized sets of strings. that's how i buy 'em. with liberal use of GHS fastfret, i find that my strings usually last until they break and still sound decent for the duration. i end up wiping a bunch of crud off of the strings every time i play. on teh other hand, i also don't leave my guitars sitting out, typically, which i'm sure helps. they tend to sit in cases or gig bags where humidity changes don't form fine corrosion on them so easily.

i like the feel and lack of fretnoise from elixirs, but they just don't sound good to me. i refuse to pay 3 times what i'm paying now to be less satisfied with my sound.

 

[Neeps]

Elixir.... if I can afford them!

 

[Dot]

http://www.jpstrings.com

 

[rpe]

I've tried them all. I really like the Ernie Ball Earthwoods (10s). See attached.

rpe