String choices

[Ralph B]

I figured someone besides me would have this question so here goes………..

I primarily play flat pick on my Martin HD-28 and at times a resurrected D-15 that was literally a dumpster dive. I am also awaiting delivery of a Godin 5th Ave Kingpin CW Archtop.

On my acoustics up to now I’ve been playing mostly Martin Light Lifespans, have experimented with Elixir Nanoweb lights and most recently Santa Cruz Parabolics. As I happen to live near the Martin factory I’m able to take advantage of discount sale pricing; a couple bucks saved on a few sets of strings never hurts.

So my question is……….what type and brand of strings do you use on your acoustics and electrics?

Thanks in advance!
Ralph

[Richard G]

Hi Ralph, I’ve strung my Martin D35 with most makes over the years and they all have their pros and cons, but I’m currently impressed with Elixir Nanoweb. I think they give the dreadnought a great tone across the range compared with other major makes I’ve tried. I’m currently using 10-47’s but soon to move to Custom Light 11-52’s
I suspect string choice is a highly individual subject, I generally aim for a warm but brightish sound and longevity isn’t a factor I consider much.

Richard

[sunjamr]

Elixir Nanoweb 009s on all my acoustics, because (1) they don’t rust (I live in a humid place), and (2) finger comfort matters more to me than volume. The question is, if you put on heavy gauge strings, are you really improving the tone, or just playing the same tone only louder? If I need louder, I just mic the guitar. On the other hand, if I had to play an unamplified acoustic on stage, I would use the heaviest strings I could tolerate. And try to avoid playing bar chords.

Sunjamr Steve

[Richard G]

Steve, I think heavier strings do give the guitar a more solid or rounded tone but my problem basically with the very light strings is I get too much slap/rattle off the frets and that’s after a I’ve tweaked the truss rod.

Richard

[Eric C]

Hi Ralph,

For my Martin 000-28EC I use Thomastik SB111 (.011 – .052) Spectrum Bronze from Austria. In my opinion they sound the best. These are excellent strings, but they don’t last as long as Elixir Nanoweb (.11 – .52).
Therefore I switched to the Elixir.

For my Gibson ES 175 I use Flat wound strings either from D’Addario (Chromes ECG24) or from Thomastik (Jazz Swing 111). Both are excellent, in my opinion.

For my other Electrics I used to play Ernie Ball Super Slinky, but for the same reason I switched to Elixir Nanoweb. They really last longer!

I also think the strings choice and gauges too, is a highly individual subject. I’ve tried many strings, but these are the best for my purposes.

Eric

Eric

[Duffy P]

Taylor 815 – Elixer Nano 12s, thinking of changing to non coated.

PRS Vela – Pure Blues Nickel -10-46. Totally satisfied with these for electric. Don’t like anything but nickel on this guitar.

Eastman Pagelli Archtop – Thomastic Jazz Bebop 14s. These are very thick, but sound glorious both acoustically and electrically. Set up is very low, so they aren’t hard to play, but can definitely feel the difference with my solid body 10s.

Taylor 8 string baritone – Elixer 17s. Special set made for this guitar. 17s don’t feel that fat on this guitar which has like a 27 or 27.5 scale length.

[sunburst]

try usa made memphis string co. the 9.5 gaughe is perfect for fenders maybe even gibsons.. i still have a box of 10s dunlops many years almost done with last few packs of ernie ball slinks 10s /9s and yes nickle only for electric.. i tried for acoustics enough to know acoustic nanoweb bronze coated Elixirs performed as expected and do last 3 to 4x longer.. i compared to non coated ernie ball earthwood acoustic strings at least six times between the two different sets. earthswoods sound great new but quickly tarnish just like the martin non coated i tried.. for acoustic it’s elixirs coated

[DougE]

I use Earthwoods on my acoustic. Like the tone. Typically need to change about every 4 months.

I’ve got my eye on a Godin 5th Ave Kingpin myself. Look forward to hearing it play!

-Doug

[Ralph B]

Greetings all,

Many thanks for the feedback and opinions of strings. I really liked the Elixir Nanowebs, in part because they seemed to reduce “string screech”, at least to a certain degree. But in the end I suppose string choices are like most anything else; personal and subjective. So the search continues as does the pleasure of that research.

Being a somewhat newbie here I want to express my thanks to everyone, especially Brian, for promoting the community feeling of this group.

Ralph

[Doug T]

I just put a set of Thomastik Plectrums 11s on my Taylor 414. They are the best sounding string that has been on that guitar since I got it.

[Fitna]

I’m sorry I cannot recommend anything because I’m new in playing steelstings/electric. But this thread makes me want to ask something as well. I recently purchased a gretsch with bigsby and it has it’s original strings. I don’t know the brand but it is 0.010
The local guitar store told me that 0.008 or 0.009 wont work with a bigsby because it will be out of tune to quickly. But I’m having trouble with the bends. Even for a woman I have small hands and lack the strength to make a full bend and I think light strings will help me with it on this point. I’m not using the bigsby a lot (yet).
Is it worth it to try 0.009 or will I regret it immediately?

[Ian M]

Fitna wrote:

I’m sorry I cannot recommend anything because I’m new in playing steelstings/electric. But this thread makes me want to ask something as well. I recently purchased a gretsch with bigsby and it has it’s original strings. I don’t know the brand but it is 0.010
The local guitar store told me that 0.008 or 0.009 wont work with a bigsby because it will be out of tune to quickly. But I’m having trouble with the bends. Even for a woman I have small hands and lack the strength to make a full bend and I think light strings will help me with it on this point. I’m not using the bigsby a lot (yet).
Is it worth it to try 0.009 or will I regret it immediately?

Hi Fitna
I’m new here (my first post). I have a Gretsch like yours, with I think 0.010 gauge strings. I sympathise with your plight! I am fortunate to have more than one guitar so I can switch to a guitar with 0.009 gauge strings. Starting to string bend the blues on 10s is hard work. If you are still struggling, I would say:
– practise does help, but you probably know that already, as an experienced guitarist!
– I haven’t tried 9s on my Gretsch, but I would say just try it and see how it goes. If it causes setup difficulties you can always switch back.
– The Gretsch is a great guitar and I wouldn’t sell it, keep it forever. But if you can afford it, get a second hand Squier Stratocaster (they are cheap on ebay!) and fit it with 9s or even 8s. It will be much easier to string bend with a Strat set up like this.

Hope this helps and good luck!

[snakechisler]

I use d’addario 11 half rounds on 2 of my electric guitars (es330 & Gretch) and my acoustic as I restringing I’ll be using the same brand / make on the others but 10’s.

The half rounds are slightly softer in tone but still sound like roundwood but having the advantages of flat wound in terms of glide and squeak.

My resonator has 13’s on it

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