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Post subject: Acoustic Guitar Strings. What Brand Do Some Of You Use ?
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 3:59 pm
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Ever since I made the switch to Acoustic in March , I was using Martin SP's 11-52 with my 1999 Fender DG20S ,which sound great on it. Now that I got a new , Fender CD60CE in Mahoghany a few weeks ago , I've discovered that those strings don't last long on that guitar, so I went made a change to D'Addario's Phosphor Bronze which I thought would be a improvement only because when I was playing electric, D'Addario was the only brand I would touch. Turns out that their Acoustic Strings aren't that great . They lose their tone within a couple of days. Today , 6 sets of Fender Phosphor Bronze 11-52's came in which I ordered from Sweetwater. I figured since both of my Acoustics are both Fender why not use their strings ? I'm hoping these work out because I don't want to have to upgrade to coated strings and have to pay 10 bucks for one set or whatever it is they cost. If anybody has any reccomendations , I'd surely appreciate it. Thanks.


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Post subject: Re: Acoustic Guitar Strings. What Brand Do Some Of You Use ?
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 5:24 pm
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In my opinion it doesn't get much better than Martin SP. If I were going into the studio today I would take 5 or 6 sets of them and change often. They don't last on any guitar in my experience but they're hard to beat for the price. There are better strings but not at that price point.

Like you I like custom lights. I find them to be the perfect compromise between light and extra light. Easier on the hands than lights but meatier in tone than extra lights.

I would suggest you try Gore Elixer Nano-Web in Custom Light gauge. Go for the 80/20 bronze though. Their phosphor bronze strings just don't seem to have the same life as their 80/20s. I've tried both versions and the Phosphor ones sound dead to me after no more time than a regular set and they're more expensive to boot.

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Post subject: Re: Acoustic Guitar Strings. What Brand Do Some Of You Use ?
Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 2:07 am
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Well I do love the Martin SP's but as you said, they don't last long, which is a pain in the butt and the wallet as well. I need strings that are both , good sounding and long lasting.


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Post subject: Re: Acoustic Guitar Strings. What Brand Do Some Of You Use ?
Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 7:31 am
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I need strings that are both , good sounding and long lasting.

As already suggested, Elixer Nanos.

I am not sure I've had the same experience with the 80/20s, verses the phospher bronze, quite the opposite in fact.

the coating on the 80/20 seems to shred off them quite a bit faster, the bronze in my experience seem to hold out better. But both will sound good after months of use (or abuse)

I have three acoustics, all of them are strung with Elixers, these strings last a very long time I am quite active with these acoustics, I can get about 6 to 8 months out of a set.
(My hands are pretty dry, so I don't leave a lot of hand oils on them)

Another one to try are Cleartone Strings. Treated, not coated?? (their words, not mine) they do last a long time, about the same cost as Elixers. I've tried a few sets of these, they are also good sounding for a very long time, but I go back to the Elixers, they just feel/sound right to me.

I wouldn't not suggest the coated D'Addario strings, they feel sticky to me, and I don't think they sound nearly as responsive as Elixers and Cleartones


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Post subject: Re: Acoustic Guitar Strings. What Brand Do Some Of You Use ?
Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 11:38 am
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Elixirs if I can help it.

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Post subject: Re: Acoustic Guitar Strings. What Brand Do Some Of You Use ?
Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 2:57 pm
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KidBlast wrote:
I need strings that are both , good sounding and long lasting.

As already suggested, Elixer Nanos.

I am not sure I've had the same experience with the 80/20s, verses the phospher bronze, quite the opposite in fact.

the coating on the 80/20 seems to shred off them quite a bit faster, the bronze in my experience seem to hold out better. But both will sound good after months of use (or abuse)

I have three acoustics, all of them are strung with Elixers, these strings last a very long time I am quite active with these acoustics, I can get about 6 to 8 months out of a set.
(My hands are pretty dry, so I don't leave a lot of hand oils on them)

Another one to try are Cleartone Strings. Treated, not coated?? (their words, not mine) they do last a long time, about the same cost as Elixers. I've tried a few sets of these, they are also good sounding for a very long time, but I go back to the Elixers, they just feel/sound right to me.

I wouldn't not suggest the coated D'Addario strings, they feel sticky to me, and I don't think they sound nearly as responsive as Elixers and Cleartones


6-8 months out of one set of Elixers ? Just how much are they per set ?


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Post subject: Re: Acoustic Guitar Strings. What Brand Do Some Of You Use ?
Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 7:34 pm
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jeffo46 wrote:
Just how much are they per set ?
Typically about twice the price of a regular set but they last a minimum of 5 times as long as regular strings so they are more economical in the long run. I think I can actually make them last about 10 times longer so they're cheap like borscht to me.

I've tried the Cleartone coated strings and when I first put them on I thought they would be keepers. Slightly better tone than 80/20 Nano Elixers but I got no more life out of them than an uncoated string. They just started sounding dead, dull and thudding. I've gone back to 80/20 Nanos. They might fray the coating ever so slightly after plenty of hard use but they stay sounding good ... pretty much until one of them breaks. I can't keep the Phosphor Bronze Nanos on long enough to find out how much they fray as they sound dead rather quickly and in some respects remind me of the Cleartones. Slightly rounder tone than the 80/20s but far less life. With the 80/20s I know it's time to change them when the bumps and kinks in the strings from the frets start to get sharp enough that the windings look like they're on the verge of breaking. When I see that on the windings then I know the cores are about to break and rather than risk a cut hand when it sproings I just change them out.

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Post subject: Re: Acoustic Guitar Strings. What Brand Do Some Of You Use ?
Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 9:01 pm
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Martin Marquis 80/20 is usually my favorite for acoustic strings.
But if you want to splurge, Thomastik-Infeld strings sound clearer than anything else I've tried. But the price is high. in my opinion, they do sound better than the Martin Marquis, but not six times better. For the money, Martin wins, in my opinion.


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Post subject: Re: Acoustic Guitar Strings. What Brand Do Some Of You Use ?
Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 7:28 am
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I have been using Martin 80/20 Bronze for a couple of years and don't need to change often. Then again, I only pick it up for about an hour or so for practice, then another 45 minutes for Church each week.
I have used Martin lights on all my acoustics since someone gave me a set about 23 years ago.
I like D'Adario strings on my mandolin though. On electrics, I have tried all kinds but my newest electric is a MIM Strat and I am using Fender 10's.


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Post subject: Re: Acoustic Guitar Strings. What Brand Do Some Of You Use ?
Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 9:44 am
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I just put a new set of the Fender Phosphor Bronze on my CD60CE and I'm pleasantly surprised at the tone that's coming from this guitar with those strings. They have a nice, bright sound to them which is what I like. Hopefully they can hold their tone for at least a couple of weeks. I hear that Fender now has Dura-Tone which is like the Elixirs, right ? Anyone know anything about these ? I've seen them going for 9 bucks a set on Amazon.


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Post subject: Re: Acoustic Guitar Strings. What Brand Do Some Of You Use ?
Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 11:14 am
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6-8 months out of one set of Elixers ? Just how much are they per set ?

in US Dollars: about $12.99 usually


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Post subject: Re: Acoustic Guitar Strings. What Brand Do Some Of You Use ?
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 9:20 am
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I've been on a string search for the past few years; auditioning various brands of phosphorus bronze 12's. I tend to like John Pearse 600
L's for non-coated strings. Elixer Nano's and Cleartones worked out OK for me. Martin SP lifespan did not do so well for me. They sounded horrible when first installed, but did get better over time. No doubt Thomastic- Infeld Spectrum's out classed all the others regarding tone, but the cost is over $20 for a set. I'm currently running D'Addario flat top strings, they sound good to me and the polished surface profile reduces finger squeak during slides. I doubt that you will get a consensus on the best string here, as everybody has their own likes and dislikes. Also, what sounds good on one guitar, may not be so good on another.


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Post subject: Re: Acoustic Guitar Strings. What Brand Do Some Of You Use ?
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 9:57 am
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Been using Martin Lifespan. Great sounding long lasting strings.

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Post subject: Re: Acoustic Guitar Strings. What Brand Do Some Of You Use ?
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 7:32 am
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The Fender Phosphor Bronze set which I put on last Tuesday or so, lasted until yesterday which was a big surprise for me. That's almost 6 days which isn't that bad considering the Martin SP's and D'Addario's would only last 3-4 days tops. I am however, considering giving the Elixirs a shot. I visited various retailer sites and the reviews about them have all been really great.


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Post subject: Re: Acoustic Guitar Strings. What Brand Do Some Of You Use ?
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 3:55 pm
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Depends on the guitar.
On most of my acoustics I use Martins. No specific series, but always light gauge. I do have a Lag A/E that came with Elixer's on it, and I tried Martins, but it did not like them.... at all. So for that one, it's Elixers only.

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