what are some good acoustic strings? ive heard that Ernie Ball acoustics are good. Would anyone care to help? Im changin' my strings today. Also, I've heard putting electric strings on an acoustic is better b/c of less tension on the neck. Can anyone verify?

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I got this guitar and I learned how to make it talk...

Hi stryder: for what it's worth I think I'm using Rotosounds right now and they sound fine. But any well known brand will be absolutely OK. You can't go wrong with Martins, for example.

More important to think about the type of strings. I use straightforward phosphor bronze - but I'm sure folks here will have more interesting suggestions.

Far as putting "electric" strings on to spare the neck goes. Well, in this context that really just means lighter strings. Your guitar is built for the gauge of strings it came with and will survive fine with those.

Change them for musical/feel reasons if you want, but not out of concern for the neck or front. With acoustics there are always going to be issues with the front moving - but unless you are stringing with a massively heavy set it should stay within tollerable margins.

In short: fit the strings that feel and sound good.

Cheers - C

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ernie-Ball- ... 1122326.gc

I like these strings for my acoustic. Im not big on electric guitar strings on an acoustic.

I always use electric string on my acoustics….not to save the neck from any undue tension but because I like how it sounds and the strings are more slinky. Bending and vibrato is not as difficult because the electric strings are thinner gauge. I also do this because electric strings are cheaper because I buy in bulk, so it works out to 2 bucks a pack and I always have many extra set lying around because of this.

Cheers
Bill

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(80’s Hair Metal) = A snapshot in time before Grunge ruined Rock & Roll forever!!!!

I like D'Addario Acoustic Guitar Strings.

I've also heard Dr Zebra acoustic strings are supposed to be good, never found anyone selling them around me. So haven't tried them yet.

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Keep on Truckin, Going full speed ahead down the highway to hades.

I like the Martin SP's on my acoustic guitars. I prefer the 80/20 bronze. They are just a little brighter than alot of other ones I have used. They also last for a good while.

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"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Blazing Saddles...

I personally use D'addario EXP acoustic strings. They're a bit pricey but I have found that they last longer than other brands.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

I use Martin SP acoustic strings although (when I can find them) I REALLY like the feel and sound of Gibson acoustic strings. They seem to last quite long also before becoming dull.

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MIM Std Tele, MIM HSS Strat, Homemade Mongrel Tele, Blues Jr, Champ600, coupla pedals...sweeeet!

If I were going into the studio this afternoon I would take a half dozen sets of Martin SP in Phosphor/Bronze as they are quite likely the best sounding strings on the market, bar none. Period. My 2¢.

For daily use I only use Gore Elixer nano-webs. They may not be the ultimate tone monster like the Martin SPs but they are reasonably good and while they may cost twice the price of anything else they last 10 times as long as anything else. They sound good right until the end and by "the end" I mean until they are so well used that they actually break. When I break a string I change the set.

In a recording situation I change my SPs every 40 or 45 minutes of play time.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

I use Martin or D'Addario medium gauge strings. As far as electric strings on an acoustic I think they sound dreadful.

dude, i love these strings. waay better than the martins i think. the quality is much better

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I got this guitar and I learned how to make it talk...

I have been "experimenting" of late with lots of strings on my Martin D16GT. I play with chord strums and some non-challenging finger picking (in other words, I'm a legend in my own mind). I also need them to sound acceptable (note "acceptable", I'm not certain that any amp can mimic the actual tone of an acoustic guitar) plugged in to my SCXD, thru a Fishman under-saddle pickup (feedback is always an issue). I have tried Martin SP (coated and not), Ernie Ball coated, Elixir, D'Addario EXP, DR uncoated, and John Pearse. They have all been Medium or Med/Lite; and all in Phosphor Bronze, but the 80/20 Ernie Balls in addition to their Phosphor Bronze. Here's what I believe:

1) The Phosphor Bronze has a brighter sound and attack, but the 80/20 has a nice "warmth" too. The 80/20 seems to decay quicker though. I prefer the Phosphor Bronze.

2) The coated strings seem to last longer and keep tone longer. They also minimize the string rash sound when sliding. They are, however, overall a slight bit more muted in overall sound to the uncoated.

3) If you want the electric guitar "feel" like the Ernie Ball Slinkys, put their acoustic strings on. I'll bet the sound is better, and they play pretty close.

4) The coated strings are much less prone to feedback thru the amp than the almost unplayable non-coated.

5) Your acoustic guitar manufacturer has a big influence on what strings sound "best". My Martin tends to the full and bassy, and the Elixir and Pearse strings just have no volume, presence, or detail. With this rig, a "brighter" string like the Erine Ball and D'Addario EXP were a better complement; but I bet those same Elixir and Pearse strings on a Taylor or Gibson would shine (and the EXP might be an ice pick).

6) The Martin strings I have purchased in the last year have not been made in the USA anymore. They were my go to strings for 5+ years, and now these new ones are dull, lifeless, muted, no harmonics, stiff to play, and don't last as long. Bottom line: They stink. (Your mileage may vary.) In sum, I will not buy another Martin string until they bring the manufacturing back stateside.

Bob