recommend a brand and gauge string for my acoustic

[a27thletter]

I've just recently gotten into writting more acoustic based songs and i'm trying to find a set of strings with a nice sound to them, the guitar came with martins, and i recently changed over to fender 11 gauge bronze strings, and i'm not sure thats the sound i want out of an acoustic, it sounds very "toy-ish" and i'm not quite sure if its a result of the gauge or the brand, anyone have a favorite you think i should try out?

 

[aaroncomp]

I like Elixirs - Polyweb or Nanoweb.

 

[a27thletter]

yeah, i've been told those are some good brands, i think i'm gonna get some elixers tomorrow and try them, but are they really worth as much as they cost? i know the local shops around here get about 12 bucks for elixers, but if they actually last as long as they say they do i wouldnt mind paying twice as much for them, the fenders i just bought today already had some corrosion on them when i first took them out of the pack. coated strings also cut down on string squeaks right?

 

[scrubs]

What type of guitar? That will play a large role in tone, as well. Also, some strings will sound great on one guitar and crappy on another. You'll likely have to try out a few to find a set that works well for your axe.

The coated strings, such as Elixirs, generally last longer (oxidize slower) than uncoated strings, so the tone of new strings does not fade as quickly. They also tend to squeak less and be easier on the fingers. The coating can compromise tone, though. I found the elixir polywebs to be too muted sounding on my guitar. I like the D'Addario EXPs better myself. I also like the Dean Markley Alchemy GoldPhos (not the GoldBronze) alright. There are probably a couple of other coated strings, but I haven't tried them.

As for the gauge, it's a personal issue. I use mediums, but if your guitar came strung with lights, you'll need to get it adjusted to accomodate the extra tension of mediums.

 

[Track Rat]

I personally haven't had much luck with any of the coated strings. I REALLY love the GHS strings. They have different bronze formulations to taylor the amount of brightness you want. In my experience, the GHS stuff has the most bang for your buck (stays bright longer and don't break as easily). As in all things, YMMV.

 

[gvarko]

Martin

I have not found any acoustic strings that I like better than Martins..

 

[WERNER 1]

I've been using the elixirs for quite a few years now on both my Acoustic and my Bass..........For some reason they don't work well on electrics though (Well in my opinion that is.. )

Answer to your question:

Elixer - Custom light

 

[PHILANDDON]

Definitely, definitely, definitely

GHS Vintage Bronze Light. Once you go there, you'll never go back...

 

[dirtythermos]

John Pearse phosphor bronze.. I like lights. They've been my one and only acoustic string for going on 10 years now. They rock.

 

[a27thletter]

thanks to all of you, i'll check out all that you've recommended. i just found out that this music shop railroad bazaar has a huge sale on strings right now where they have 75% off of most brands, so nows the best time to experiment.

 

[spoonie g]

The best I have found for bright (basically non Martin) acoustics are Ernie Ball Earthwoods. They wear pretty quickly, but are the warmest sounding steel string for acoustics Ive found (especially for recording). I find Elixirs tend to be too bright for some guitars (my Taylor 714, for instance). It is a fantastic guitar, and they are fantastic strings, but I find them to be too much when paired together. For a Dark sounding guitar, I will use either/or depending on the situation.

 

[EleKtriKaz]

11s? What kind of music are you playing? The lowest I would go on acoustic is 12s.

I really don't like Elixirs...they do this "bright" thing to my Taylor that I don't dig. I tried out a few brands and gauges and settled on D'addario 13s. I like an thick, natural acoustic sound, and those strings seem to be the best for that.

It's really going to depend on the guitar and your style of play though. Some older guitars with thinner necks can't take much higher than 12s. What kind of guitar? How old?

 

[rpe]

The best I have found for bright (basically non Martin) acoustics are Ernie Ball Earthwoods. They wear pretty quickly, but are the warmest sounding steel string for acoustics Ive found (especially for recording). I find Elixirs tend to be too bright for some guitars (my Taylor 714, for instance). It is a fantastic guitar, and they are fantastic strings, but I find them to be too much when paired together. For a Dark sounding guitar, I will use either/or depending on the situation.

ditto on earthwoods

rpe

 

[chace]

I found many brands are good, but how long does that quality last is the question. I change strings about every two weeks. If you are writing stuff accoustically having a good sound helps, so get a good guitar and the tone will also last longer on strings.
myself 11-52's If I am performing elixirs anything else dadario or wat ever experiment.