new acoustic guitar strings?

telesandtwins · 1st August 2009

i'm looking for some suggestions for trying some new guitar strings. i've been using ernie ball earthwoods and i'm looking for mabye a string that isnt so bright and tinny right off the bat. something a little mellower if that makes sense. any and all suggestions would be great.....they would be strung on a guild25 dreadnaught if that helps.

thanks a lot!
Pete

Robert Alger · 9th August 2009

Thomastik-Infeld strings

I like the Spectrum bronze series.

Old Goat · 11th August 2009

I like Martin Marquis, but I'm using Elixirs right now because they last so long and kill finger noise. They are not tinny at all. If you want darker still, try DR Strings Vintage Bronze. They were too dark on my D-25, but you might like them.

mbrebes · 19th August 2009

I use the Earthwoods on some of my guitars. For something a little mellower with a good tone, try the D'Addario phosphor bronze strings. Not as bright as Earthwoods and keep their original tone much longer.

3waytie4last · 29th August 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Alger

Thomastik-Infeld strings

I like the Spectrum bronze series.

True dat!

kafka · 29th August 2009

Ernie Ball strings are about the only brand that I don't like - specifically because of the tinny sound. I'm sure they're fine for some people.

Personally, I love John Pearse strings. My favorite are the Phosphor Bronze strings. I play an OM, mostly fingerstyle, so I'm good with the Light and Slightly Light. For a D sized guitar, I'd go with the Lights, Bluegrass, or Mediums. The latter two might be a little chunky for you if you're looking for something more mellow. In that case, try the Phosphor Bronze & Silk's. They're similar to silk & steel's, but they sound more correct.

doncaparker · 30th August 2009

First off, keep in mind that a lot of the smaller string brands are just re-branded strings made by the larger companies. I used to have something that showed who made what, but I can't seem to find it. Just be aware that some of these boutique strings are normal strings in really nice packaging.

For guitar strings that start out less bright, you might want to look into coated strings. They are not as bright at the beginning as regular bronze strings, but they hold their tone longer (due to the coating).

I've become fond of the Martin Extended Life SP+ strings. They are coated, they sound good, they stay sounding good longer than uncoated strings, and if you buy them in quantity you can get them relatively cheap.

MindRiot · 30th August 2009

I've been playing with Elixir strings for years, ever since I bought my first Taylor and they came stock. My local music store stopped selling them for about a year in '07 and I almost went postal. The Nanoweb/Polyweb coating (like other brands as well) gives the string a mellower sound that will not fade after a few days of use (like the brighter, non-treated ones). I've turned so many people on to them that I should be getting kickbacks...or at least a free set.

Elixir all the way!

WorldOfStrings · 8th February 2010

Don't be araid to use heavier strings! Light strings tend to bizarrely emphasize the upper midrange, while heavier strings offer more of the note's fundamental tone. D'Addario makes a great 80/20 bronze acoustic guitar string that is mellower in tone than standard phosphor bronze. They also offer Flat Tops which are flatwound bronze strings.

connormusic · 31st January 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by telesandtwins

i'm looking for some suggestions for trying some new guitar strings. i've been using ernie ball earthwoods and i'm looking for mabye a string that isnt so bright and tinny right off the bat. something a little mellower if that makes sense. any and all suggestions would be great.....they would be strung on a guild25 dreadnaught if that helps.

thanks a lot!
Pete

I personally use John pearse strings for more mellow or warmer sounds they work awesome depending on what gauge you use hope it helps !

Igotsoul4u · 8th February 2011

DR's are my go to for all my string instruments. I also had elixers that lasted forever but felt stiff. Reds have also been getting good feedback from people i know.

Ron Vogel · 8th February 2011

I used to use Martin's on my Martin...however I recently tried the Daddario bluegrass on it, and LOVE them. Perfect balance for my acoustic.

However, strings are so personal...all you can really do is try a few sets to see what fits.

1st August 2009	#1
telesandtwins Gear interested Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 10 Thread Starter	new acoustic guitar strings? i'm looking for some suggestions for trying some new guitar strings. i've been using ernie ball earthwoods and i'm looking for mabye a string that isnt so bright and tinny right off the bat. something a little mellower if that makes sense. any and all suggestions would be great.....they would be strung on a guild25 dreadnaught if that helps. thanks a lot! Pete

11th August 2009	#3
Old Goat Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Eastern Ozarks Posts: 3,535	I like Martin Marquis, but I'm using Elixirs right now because they last so long and kill finger noise. They are not tinny at all. If you want darker still, try DR Strings Vintage Bronze. They were too dark on my D-25, but you might like them. __________________ singer/songwriter Soundclick Cdbaby Better a crust in peace than a banquet in a house of contention "Once they see you walk on water they'll never offer you a life preserver" gfm

29th August 2009	#6
kafka Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,992	Ernie Ball strings are about the only brand that I don't like - specifically because of the tinny sound. I'm sure they're fine for some people. Personally, I love John Pearse strings. My favorite are the Phosphor Bronze strings. I play an OM, mostly fingerstyle, so I'm good with the Light and Slightly Light. For a D sized guitar, I'd go with the Lights, Bluegrass, or Mediums. The latter two might be a little chunky for you if you're looking for something more mellow. In that case, try the Phosphor Bronze & Silk's. They're similar to silk & steel's, but they sound more correct. __________________ - It looks just like a Telefunken U47 - with leather. You'll love it ... - Jazz is not dead - it just smells funny. - It doesn't make much difference how the paint is put on as long as something has been said. Technique is just a means of arriving at a statement.

30th August 2009	#8
MindRiot Gear nut Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Maryland-USA Posts: 86	Acoustic strings... I've been playing with Elixir strings for years, ever since I bought my first Taylor and they came stock. My local music store stopped selling them for about a year in '07 and I almost went postal. The Nanoweb/Polyweb coating (like other brands as well) gives the string a mellower sound that will not fade after a few days of use (like the brighter, non-treated ones). I've turned so many people on to them that I should be getting kickbacks...or at least a free set. Elixir all the way!

8th February 2011	#11
Igotsoul4u Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,808	DR's are my go to for all my string instruments. I also had elixers that lasted forever but felt stiff. Reds have also been getting good feedback from people i know. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/polishedproductions MacPro 2.66 quad, Macbook Pro 13" 2.4, Protools 8 LE 003, Logic 8, McDsp, Sonnox, API 512c, GR NV500, Buzz Essence, Focusrite Solo, DBX 160A, Telefunken AK47, AKG 414eb Adam A7 Sub 8, Laney, Fender, Martin, Musicman, Marshall.

9th August 2009	#2
Robert Alger Gear nut Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New England Posts: 78	Thomastik-Infeld strings I like the Spectrum bronze series.

19th August 2009	#4
mbrebes Lives for gear Join Date: May 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 589	I use the Earthwoods on some of my guitars. For something a little mellower with a good tone, try the D'Addario phosphor bronze strings. Not as bright as Earthwoods and keep their original tone much longer.

30th August 2009	#7
doncaparker Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,155	First off, keep in mind that a lot of the smaller string brands are just re-branded strings made by the larger companies. I used to have something that showed who made what, but I can't seem to find it. Just be aware that some of these boutique strings are normal strings in really nice packaging. For guitar strings that start out less bright, you might want to look into coated strings. They are not as bright at the beginning as regular bronze strings, but they hold their tone longer (due to the coating). I've become fond of the Martin Extended Life SP+ strings. They are coated, they sound good, they stay sounding good longer than uncoated strings, and if you buy them in quantity you can get them relatively cheap.

8th February 2010	#9
WorldOfStrings Gear interested Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 7	Don't be araid to use heavier strings! Light strings tend to bizarrely emphasize the upper midrange, while heavier strings offer more of the note's fundamental tone. D'Addario makes a great 80/20 bronze acoustic guitar string that is mellower in tone than standard phosphor bronze. They also offer Flat Tops which are flatwound bronze strings.

8th February 2011	#12
Ron Vogel Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bolingbrook, IL Posts: 1,342	I used to use Martin's on my Martin...however I recently tried the Daddario bluegrass on it, and LOVE them. Perfect balance for my acoustic. However, strings are so personal...all you can really do is try a few sets to see what fits. __________________ http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...&content=music http://www.myspace.com/ronvogelronvogel http://www.gimmesound.com/RonVogel/

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