Solved Which strings

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danny.guitar

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Can anyone recommend some strings for an overly-bright acoustic with almost no low-end and a somewhat "thin" sound and lack of mids?

Basically, a not-so-good guitar. I know strings probably won't make that much of a difference, but it could possibly make it sound just a little better.

I've always used, and loved, the D'Addario Phospher Bronze Medium strings, but I think they sound a bit too bright for my guitar. Other than that they're good. So...something less bright. Medium guage.

Thanks for any suggestions.
 
i dunno, maybe try the D'add Silk & Steels? i've always used D'addario PB Custom Lights or Mediums on my acoustic and i love the sound. actually just the other day i tried the Extra Lights (since my guitar shop was all out of my normal sizes), and i don't like em. so maybe try out the S&S or Flat Tops.
 
I started with light guage on my guitar for a couple years then switched to medium, for the past like...3 years. Do you think it could mess with the neck if I switch back to Light guage?

I saw the Silk & Steel last time I was at the shop, so maybe I'll give those a try. Thanks.

Any other suggestions?
 
Play the same strings for a long time :).

They will lose their brightness and maybe that will help your midrange be heard haha. I always like the strings that you have been playing. Feel good play good and sound pretty good. They stay bright longer than other strings in my opinion but they dont have that fresh out of the package clarity when theyre new. Good luck finding some other strings. I get the coated one's because I dont like changing my strings often and think they sound good for a while. Now that I havent helped you at all, I shall be going now.
 
I think the Elixer Polywebs will tame the brightness a bit. I think they have more of a focused sound but will probabbly not help the low end.
 
Thanks, I don't like coated strings. The D'Addario's aren't too bad but after trying the Elixir's again I really have to say I don't like them at all, at least on my guitar. I used to use them but that was before I tried the D'Addario's.

I don't really care about how long they last since I will be using them for recording, so I really want the best tone I can get.

I find that brand new strings sound bad/"thin" on my guitar until they're broken in a little. Unlike just about every other acoustic guitar out there. :(
 
Erockrazor said:
Play the same strings for a long time :).

They will lose their brightness and maybe that will help your midrange be heard haha. I always like the strings that you have been playing. Feel good play good and sound pretty good. They stay bright longer than other strings in my opinion but they dont have that fresh out of the package clarity when theyre new. Good luck finding some other strings. I get the coated one's because I dont like changing my strings often and think they sound good for a while. Now that I havent helped you at all, I shall be going now.
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Actually sometimes I prefer the tone of a well played set.
 
They aren't any darker but I much prefer the Martin SPs over the D'Addarios. They just sound better to my ears.
 
TravisinFlorida said:
They aren't any darker but I much prefer the Martin SPs over the D'Addarios. They just sound better to my ears.
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you are a crazy person!
 
i heart my D'addarios. except these new Extra Lights i just put on. but they are starting to sound better after a few days. i like the bigger sound of the Mediums...
 
Several string manufactures provide brightness comparison charts among thier different sets to be used as a general guide. Use em. A bigger bottom usually demands a heavier guage though but be carefull on an acoustic as they cant always take the increased tension like an electric can. Something 11 guage is a good start perhaps.
 
I use the D'Addario medium phospher bronze. They work well on my Taylor. You might want to try some DR Rare strings to tame some of the high end. I've heard they sound woody, (Yeah, I know, I don't get that either), though I've never used them. Always meant to though.

I was going to mention the Elixers. They sound pretty mellow, (Ah,dead) as soon as I put them on my guitar. But that's just my guitar. I know people who swear by them.
 
God Elixirs, don't get me started.

1) The reason they seem to age better is because they start off 'aged'. When you start off at the bottom there's nowhere to go.

2) The flakey shit they spew everywhere.

And the price for this priviledge? Three or Four times the cost of regular strings. No thankyou.
 
...

i have played 12 guage Martin Marquis for literally 20 years.

i'm on my 4th acoustic guitar and i've liked them on all.

if i were to put 13's or 11's i would at least check the neck to see if the change in tension was great enough to distort the neck either way. lower guage strings don't pull as hard against the truss rod, so it can be loosened a little to let the neck flex if needed. for heavier strings you may have to tighten it to keep the neck from bending too far at full tension.

your guitar may not sound bad once you put some new strings and maybe make some adjustments to the curve of the neck and the string height/intonation via the bridge/saddle/nut.

remember, any guitar can be made to sound completely different by using heavy strings with high action vs light strings and low action.. or any combo.

i'm too chicken to switch guages or brands now.. or maybe too lazy..

could be OCD as well.
 
danny.guitar said:
Can anyone recommend some strings for an overly-bright acoustic with almost no low-end and a somewhat "thin" sound and lack of mids?

Basically, a not-so-good guitar. I know strings probably won't make that much of a difference, but it could possibly make it sound just a little better.

I've always used, and loved, the D'Addario Phospher Bronze Medium strings, but I think they sound a bit too bright for my guitar. Other than that they're good. So...something less bright. Medium guage.

Thanks for any suggestions.
Click to expand...

I would try the elixer strings. they sound kind of dull on most guitars, so maybe on yours they will sound decent.
 
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