Acoustic guitar strings?

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JerryD

JerryD

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What Acoustic guitar strings record the best.
What type are best?
What strings do you guys use?

Thanks a bunch.
 
Elxir. I've never used them on my guitar because there like 12.00 I've played them on the acoustics at my local store, I've heard only good about them. Right now i use d'arddio or however u spell it, there pretty good.
 
Oh yeah Elixirs ;-) Hate them on my electrics, but great on my acoustic!
 
I love Elixers on my electrics and hate 'em on my acoustics....feels like somebody shrink wrapped a condom around the string. They've been on my ES150D for about three years now and they're just getting warmed up.

Here in the desert strings tend to last a long time so the extra life factor of Elixers is a moot point. Except for now in the summer, I've already killed the strings on a guitar I picked up from the shop on Monday, so I am considering a few sets of Elixers for the next few months.

The reason I don't like them much on acoustics is that they are a little tubby sounding and don't record all that well. Thing is though they stay that way a looooooong time.

There are two types of Elixer strings now; polyweb and nanoweb, I think the latter is a thinner coating and might be the way to go.

When it cools off I'll go back to Martin 80/20 bronze.

The classical guitars get Adamas strings.
 
Thanks guys

I'll try the Elixrs..

My dad uses Martin Silk and Steel. They sounded good when I was learning how to play guitar. I wonder how those record?

Anybody use those to record?

Silk and Steel Martins?

Just curious what kind of sound your getting.
 
Lemme know when you find the holy grail...

.. Cause I'm still looking for it!:D

I've bounced around, but seem to get the best acoustic sound from DR Rare Bronze strings. I have a jumbo acoustic (boomy), so I'm looking for something bright. I've used D'Addario for years (well, about 30) but they didn't do it with this particular guitar. They're great on my small Gibson, though. I tried Elixers and they were OK but not brilliant sounding. They were fast, though! Right now I'm using a set of Thomastik-Infelds (pricey) and I like the way the wound strings sound - when they are new. Like a D-28 on steroids. Then it seems to die in a couple of weeks. Oh well, maybe it's the way I play.
 
I use medium elixirs for playing out, 'cause I beat the hell out of them, but for recording I use Martin Marquis mediums because I have to change them every day and the cost of elixirs is not justified if you're going to toss them out. If I have to punch in later, I can't be bothered with trying to wear in a set of elixirs until they sound the same. For electric, I use D'Addario
EXL115W's because their the lightest strings I can find (11's) with a wound G. I play heavy fat rhythym (The Who, etc.), and any strings I've played with a plain G simply suck for what I do. Anybody know where I can get a good set of 9's or 10'a with a wound G?-Richie
 
GHS White Bronze have always sounded good to me on tape.

At least on the guitars I've used them on.
 
I've never liked Elixers. I put them on my Taylor once and took them off by the next day. The sound was to "slinky?":), I don't know quite how to describe it. I like to play a more percussive style of guitar though. I've always used Martin SP's and I love them for the price.

Pete
 
I use GHS Contact Cores. The winding on the wound strings stops about 2" from the ball so the core of the string rests directly on the saddle. EXTREMLY bright, long lived strings.
 
Personaly I use the cheapest stuff from webstrings.com $31.?? for 12! sets

I've heard some pros use John Pears
strings http://www.jpstrings.com/brstring.htm

Elixer .. hm.. had them once, they send me a sample pack, nice but can't bring myself to pay $15 for a pack. Also the high E and B strings are not coated (or are they??) so they probably don't last that long.
 
I currently use Elixir nanoweb on my acoustic and it sounds good to my ear (well, comparing to the old strings that came with the guitar :D )... Elixir produces a bright, clear sound and it also eliminates some of the squeaky finger noise !!... I guess the coating help my ...bad/sticky fingers somewhat too :p

I used D'addario before too, but I think Elixir sounds better ... I don't change strings that often :D , may be twice a year or so ...thus, the Elixir works well for me...

You may want to experience with different brands and then settle on the one(s) that you like best...


Happy strumming !!! :)
 
D'Addario Mediums (.13 and up) on the Jumbo
D'Addario Lights (.12 and up) on the 000

Martin (el cheapest .13) on the Resonator.

Dean Markley .10 on the Strat and 345 (am going to .11 next change)
Dean markley .09 on the Telecaster

foo
 
There is a world of difference between the elixir polyweb and nanoweb strings. the coating on the nanoweb is very, very thin and they feel and sound to me much more like ordinary strings. But they last sooooo much longer. They really sing on my taylor.
 
I tried these

I bought two packs of Earthwood Ernie Ball strings today.
Silk and steel type.


I like em. Not as bright as I would like though.

But hey at least they are not twangy sounding.

I did a test record and they sounded pretty good.
 
I used to use D'Addario's exclusively, but when I bought my Tacoma Chief it came stock with Elixers. After playing on and hearing Elixers I don't use anything else now.
 
Strings

My first choice is Elixir Nanowebs. Becareful, Elixir makes two types: nano and poly. The nano have a brighter/newer sound since the coating is very thin on the outside of the string. The polywebs have the coating outside and insider and tend to sound softer/duller

I like the D'Addario EXP Mediums also. Very strong full sound. The only problem is I think they are noisy with to much slide sound.
 
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