String help please…

[Gary A]

First post 😁

I have a Martin D15 mahogany and I’m wondering if anyone can recommend a string brand and gauge for acoustic blues

Many thanks

Gaz.

[Richard G]

Hi Gary,
I have been using Elixir (Phosphor Bronze) Nanoweb, 11-52 Custom Light on my Martin D35 for quite some time and pretty happy with the result.
The weight of strings is always a compromise on acoustics, the lighter the gauge, the thinner the sound but easier to play. 12-54 strings sound good but are more difficult to handle.
I always set the action on my Martin pretty low for ease of play but sometimes hit a buzz if I don’t concentrate on fingering accuracy.

Richard

[sunjamr]

I’m 100% same as Richard, except I use the Nanoweb 10s. I value my fingertips more than my guitar volume.

Sunjamr Steve

[Gary A]

Thanks Richard.

I’ll take note!

I think sometimes we want it all, a big sound with easy string bending 😁👍

I’ve tried a few martins but never a 35, any good ? 😁

[Richard G]

I like it because of the Indian Rosewood back and sides and Sitka Spruce top. I generally record using the LR Baggs Anthem P/U which generally performs quite well. Bought it over 25 years ago, seems to have matured well.

Richard

[GnLguy]

Gaz

That depends on how do you define acoustic blues..

If you’re talking a strictly fingerstyle approach – many use Elixir strings like Richard mentioned. I like DR Veritas 12-54, I’m playing a Breedlove Myrtlewood Concerto
if you will be playing your acoustic much like would an electric guitar, I would recommend Ernie Ball Earthwood 10-50, which would permit string bends easier

Keith
aka GnLguy

[Mark H]

My main acoustics are a Martin 000-16, a Gibson J-45 Koa and Guild F30 rosewood.

This assumes that the guitar is well set up. If not, attend to that first.

I’d start by asking myself “what strings do I currently have on there?”
Then ask myself, “What don’t you like about them? How could they be improved?”
Most changes, assuming your current strings are good quality, can be slight, incremental.
If it just sounds a bit generally dull, maybe a new set of the same strings will fix the problem?

Maybe they’re too heavy, or too light. If so consider going to the next available size heavier- or lighter. Don’t go heavier than 0.013 (medium gauge) on a Martin. In fact I tried mediums for a while on mine and did not see any benefits, just put more strain on the guitar.

Or if the strings are out of balance, consider creating a custom set. For example if the bass is overpowering the trebles, try putting one size lighter bass strings on, or one size fatter trebles. I’m currently doing this with a Gibson J-45 Koa, the bass is strong and the trebles tend to get lost in the mix so I’m putting on lighter bass strings.

I love the all-mahogany Martin -15 series guitars, really cool, sweet-sounding instruments that are great for finger style country blues. If it was mine I’d put on Martin- or D’Addario Light gauge (0.012) strings. I prefer uncoated myself, I swear I can hear the effect of coatings and also dislike how they feel. Currently I’m using phosphor bronze, but regularly switch to 80/20s which sound “older” to me and don’t require as much playing-in.

[Gary A]

Thanks all, I don’t think I can reply to you all individually but it’s really appreciated, I think I’m going to go with Earthwood 10 gauge uncoated and I’m looking forward to giving them a go.

Richard the D35 sounds amazing, I’ve never even seen one !!

Keith
aka GnLguy Thanks mate 👍

Sunjamr 10’s it is 👍

Mark H you have some great guitars my friend 👍

Cheers Gents for your valuable time and detailed response and input 👍👍

[Mark H]

Good luck, and let us know how it goes, we’re all on a perpetual quest for the holy grail of acoustic strings.

[GnLguy]

Even though I use DR Veritas strings, my actual favorite is La Bella Vapor Shield phosphor bronze but at $20 set plus shipping, it’s hard to justify the added cost.
I use my acoustic for strictly finger style and DR Veritas is a close second in tone and longevity – and they are a little cheaper which is a good thing

I just noticed that DR has a new string technology that they are offering – Dragon Skin definitely sounds like a type of coated string so I’ll have to check those out.
La Bella’s Vapor Shield is an extremely thin coating that won’t peel like some brands do and you can’t feel it on the strings

[Author]

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