Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

[wasteofo2]

I generally use D'addario Acoustic strings (12's), but on Saturday, when I went to the guitar shop, they were out, so I bought Martin 11's (because they had no 12's), thinking that for $8, they should be pretty good, and Martin makes great guitars. Anyway, I got them home, and there were really bright and sparkly and mystical sounding, not what I generally like. Anyway, I figured that'd die down soon enough, and today when I took out my acoustic, it wasn't bright and mystical at all, instead, the strings were already dulling to an amazing degree. At this rate, I'll need new strings within 2 weeks, wheras my D'addario strings usually stay sounding good for like 3 months.

So yeah, don't bother buying Martin strings, they make your guitar sound like a fairy's instrument for the first two days, and after that die like a plant out of soil.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

I've not ever found a set of Martin Acoustic strings that I like....and despite all of my trips to various guitar stores, I've never come across a Martin guitar that had a decent set of strings on it while trying it out.

I prefer the Elixirs...They came on my Taylor, I put a new set on just because 4 weeks ago, and they still look and sound brand new. $12, but worth it to me.

 

[xerxes]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

martin strings are terrible. im surprised yours were even sparkly out of the pack. for the 3 packs i got, they were all dull to hell.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

I know what you guys mean. I see guys that say Martins suck after trying an acoustic on the wall at the store. It's gotta be the strings! Every once in awhile I've accidentally bought a set of SP's with the stupid bronze B & high E.....YUCKKK.

I'm not into spending big money on polywebs and all that. I just buy the 3 pack of D'Addario Phosphor Bronze 12's, and change them as soon as the low E starts to die.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

I know what you guys mean. I see guys that say Martins suck after trying an acoustic on the wall at the store. It's gotta be the strings! Every once in awhile I've accidentally bought a set of SP's with the stupid bronze B & high E.....YUCKKK.

I'm not into spending big money on polywebs and all that. I just buy the 3 pack of D'Addario Phosphor Bronze 12's, and change them as soon as the low E starts to die.

Martins are set up with higher action than most guys are comfortable with. Always have been.

But my OM-28HD sounded and played great right from the get go. Only Martin I've ever owned.

As for strings, I like the D'Addario Phospher Bronze too. Those are what I use most of the time.

I like DR's too.

Lew

 

[wasteofo2]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

I've not ever found a set of Martin Acoustic strings that I like....and despite all of my trips to various guitar stores, I've never come across a Martin guitar that had a decent set of strings on it while trying it out.

I prefer the Elixirs...They came on my Taylor, I put a new set on just because 4 weeks ago, and they still look and sound brand new. $12, but worth it to me.

They may sound new, but man, their new sound is like plastic to me, just like their feel. I could never get used to Elixers, and the first set I bought, the High E broke in about 2 weeks. :smack: What a waste of $18

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

Martins are set up with higher action than most guys are comfortable with. Always have been.

But my OM-28HD sounded and played great right from the get go. Only Martin I've ever owned.

As for strings, I like the D'Addario Phospher Bronze too. Those are what I use most of the time.

I like DR's too.

Lew

Yeah, Martin nuts and saddles are cut too high from the factory. Martin claims that they do that because they offer a free pro setup to every new customer. It's cheaper in the long run than replacing parts for customers who prefer higher action. I just wish they'd set them up like Taylor does....with the nuts cut good, but the saddle cut high. Overall, most acoustics don't play good until they've been gone through.
I've wrangled with my D-28 since it was new. Everytime I change strings, I make a minor tweak with the saddle. I like spreading my acoustic setup over time, so I can have several weeks to play on it, with every increment of lowered action. Then, once it's playing like a dream, never touch it again, except for the truss rod.

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

I've not ever found a set of Martin Acoustic strings that I like....and despite all of my trips to various guitar stores, I've never come across a Martin guitar that had a decent set of strings on it while trying it out.

I prefer the Elixirs...They came on my Taylor, I put a new set on just because 4 weeks ago, and they still look and sound brand new. $12, but worth it to me.

I agree Elixir is the only way to go.

 

[xerxes]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

i use nanoweb .12's on my acoustic, and the martins i have tried on this guitar arrent great

 

[Sprinter]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

I'm going to take Martin's side. I like the higher action that most Martins have, and I love Martin SP strings. I use the regular SP's not the coated SP+'s. I've tried numerous different acoustic strings on my Martin (D-16GT), and to me, none sound or feel as good as Martin SP's. I use 13-56 guage. The rest of Martin's strings do suck, I will agree with that.


Sprinter

 

[Hellion]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

I've never had a lot of success with Martins (although I did use Martin Marquis for awhile), but I think they had something in mind other than the majority of players when they designed those strings.

 

[Im_in_Disguise]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

primarily playing acoustic, I've tried God knows how many popular and obscure brands. Never took much of a shine to the SP's, HOWEVER, I must say in their defense, that Martin Bluegrass Strings can kick it pretty decently for 5$. They actually lasted a while and kept a good bite on them. I don't know what the difference is between them and the SP's, other than they're cheaper, but I'd have to say I like them tons better.

as for personal tastes, my ovation is strung with Elixir Polyweb 13s, and my Yairi is sporting a new purchase which I think is a keeper for future choices; Dean Markley Alchemy 12's. another sort of coated string. Both very rocking sets, however neither are very conducive to an agreement with your wallet. Guess you've gotta pay the price though.

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

I generally use D'addario Acoustic strings (12's), but on Saturday, when I went to the guitar shop, they were out, so I bought Martin 11's (because they had no 12's), thinking that for $8, they should be pretty good, and Martin makes great guitars. Anyway, I got them home, and there were really bright and sparkly and mystical sounding, not what I generally like. Anyway, I figured that'd die down soon enough, and today when I took out my acoustic, it wasn't bright and mystical at all, instead, the strings were already dulling to an amazing degree. At this rate, I'll need new strings within 2 weeks, wheras my D'addario strings usually stay sounding good for like 3 months.

So yeah, don't bother buying Martin strings, they make your guitar sound like a fairy's instrument for the first two days, and after that die like a plant out of soil.

I've had exactly the same experience.

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

I generally use D'addario Acoustic strings (12's), but on Saturday, when I went to the guitar shop, they were out, so I bought Martin 11's (because they had no 12's), thinking that for $8, they should be pretty good, and Martin makes great guitars. Anyway, I got them home, and there were really bright and sparkly and mystical sounding, not what I generally like. Anyway, I figured that'd die down soon enough, and today when I took out my acoustic, it wasn't bright and mystical at all, instead, the strings were already dulling to an amazing degree. At this rate, I'll need new strings within 2 weeks, wheras my D'addario strings usually stay sounding good for like 3 months.

So yeah, don't bother buying Martin strings, they make your guitar sound like a fairy's instrument for the first two days, and after that die like a plant out of soil.

I've had exactly the same experience.

 

[italic zero]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

I really like Martin strings when they're new, and really hate them when they're old.

 

[strat_master]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

hmmm guess for them its great guitars bad strings....

 

[B2D]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

Waste... did you try the Phosphor Bronze ones or the 80/20 Bronze? I like Phosphor... 80/20 is WAY too bright for me.

I prefer Elixir Nanowebs. :smoker: I don't like the D'addario XP's at ALL because they feel stiff and lifeless. Their regular strings are fine though.

 

[Dills]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

At first my friend said why dont you try using martin xp's, and i gave them a go and i agree with those who said at first theyre bright and then go dull very quickly since then i have tried loads of sting types for acoustic guitars and suprisingly i tried a pack of ernie bal acoustics and i LOVED the tone, very consistent quite bright and dont get dull to quickly. But the problem is that they are hardly ever in stock.

 

[Falstaff]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

I like the SP and I used to use their "Country" set, but I can't find them anymore. Now I usually use DR.

 

[Studiobuddy]

Re: Martin Acoustic Strings SUCK

yea i was playing around with my dads martin the other day and for some reason they sounded all bright and twinkle twang and colorful sounding, i asked him why is was sounding like that, he said he put some martin strings on it

he should stick to the elixirs and ernie ball earthwoods are pretty good too