What acoustic strings do you prefer?

[B2D]

I'd been using Cleartone .011-.052 Phosphor Bronze on my Taylor 114CE, and I was pretty happy with them overall.

I recently changed strings and just to try something different I tried D'addario EXP acoustic 80/20s of the same gauge, and despite being a diehard user of their electric strings, I didn't like them at all... way too bright and no body to them.

I'll likely get more Cleartones next time I'm at the store, but what does everyone else like?

My Taylor is my main guitar that I use for teaching, so comfort/ease of play and durability are my primary concerns. As long as I use Phosphor Bronze 11's I'll be fine, just looking for brand alternatives that I haven't tried.

DISCLAIMER: No Ernie Ball strings. Don't like 'em, never have.

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: What acoustic strings do you prefer?

Keep in mind that you traded phosphor bronze for 80/20. 80/20 is going to be brighter. It's the natural timbre of bronze. They also tarnish faster than phosphor bronze.

 

[scottish]

Re: What acoustic strings do you prefer?

I use the D'addario EXP coated phosphor bronze. Love em.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: What acoustic strings do you prefer?

DR Dragon Skins are a good sounding, long lasting string. They are wound on a hex core, like most strings and are phosphor bronze.

I really liked the DR Sunbeams I tried. They are wound on a round core, like their tite-fit electric strings. Sunbeams are also phosphor bronze. They are not a coated string.

As Evan mentioned, 80/20 bronze (brass) is quite different than phosphor bronze. I've always preferred the latter.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: What acoustic strings do you prefer?

Keep in mind that you traded phosphor bronze for 80/20. 80/20 is going to be brighter. It's the natural timbre of bronze. They also tarnish faster than phosphor bronze.

This.

I really like D'Addario Phosphor Bronze .012s. However, my new Martin seems to have been setup with different strings than stock at the shop, so I will be restringing it with Martin SP Lifespan Phosphor Bronze .013s this weekend.

I gave 80/20s a try, and after they settle in they sound better, but I still miss the complexity of Phosphor Bronze.

 

[jeremy]

Re: What acoustic strings do you prefer?

i like the sunbeams too but use elixer phosphor bronze nanowebs cause i barely play my acoustics. best acoustic strings ive played were sob 101's

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: What acoustic strings do you prefer?

After years of playing Elixir's and EXP's, I've found that I really like these Dean strings:




They seem to last forever, and have a great sound.

 

[B2D]

Re: What acoustic strings do you prefer?

Keep in mind that you traded phosphor bronze for 80/20. 80/20 is going to be brighter. It's the natural timbre of bronze. They also tarnish faster than phosphor bronze.

Yeah I figured it's just the 80/20 I don't like, not the brand. But even discounting that the Cleartones did feel a bit better, at least.

I use the D'addario EXP coated phosphor bronze. Love em.

I'll see if my local luthier has 'em. He carries ONLY D'addarios. The local GC and it's competitor do not have them.

DR Dragon Skins are a good sounding, long lasting string. They are wound on a hex core, like most strings and are phosphor bronze.

I really liked the DR Sunbeams I tried. They are wound on a round core, like their tite-fit electric strings. Sunbeams are also phosphor bronze. They are not a coated string.

As Evan mentioned, 80/20 bronze (brass) is quite different than phosphor bronze. I've always preferred the latter.

I'd not considered DR acoustic strings. I love their bass strings but their electric strings are too bright for me. I'll check those out.

 

[mrpinter]

Re: What acoustic strings do you prefer?

My favorite acoustic strings, hands down, are Thomastik-Infeld Plectrums. Great tone and they last a long time. Pricey but worth it.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: What acoustic strings do you prefer?

I usually use EXP11s in my Ovation, but the tone is (obviously) going to be far different in your guitar than mine. Still, they're what Ovations came with stock back in the day, so I continue to use them. If you don't like the 80/20, try just plain bronze.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: What acoustic strings do you prefer?

I have been a big fan of the EXP-17 Phosphor Bronze strings, after having used the uncoated J-Series since their introduction back in the 1970s. As a rule, I like PB much better than 80/20, but I recently picked up a ten-pack of Martin SP Lifetime 80/20, which use the Cleartone technology. They sound good on my 2002 Taylor 710 CE, but they are BRIGHT....there is very little warmth in the Taylor with these strings. I don't like them at all on my 2004 D-18.

Depending on your body chemistry, you can get good life out of uncoated PB strings if you keep them CLEAN. I use the Dunlop 65 String Cleaner when I use the D'Addario J-Series or the regular Martin SP PBs, and they will keep their tone nearly as long as the coated EXP.

Bill

 

[threechordcharlie]

Re: What acoustic strings do you prefer?

These are my strings of choice.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: What acoustic strings do you prefer?

Hey! ThreeChordCharlie changed his mini truck avatar!

I'm still amazed how many people love the D'Addario Phosphor Bronze strings (me included). Such a great tone at a reasonable price.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: What acoustic strings do you prefer?

I'm still amazed how many people love the D'Addario Phosphor Bronze strings (me included). Such a great tone at a reasonable price.

These are what I restring 90% of my repair guitars with. They are great tone/value strings. Like you say, lots of tonal bang for the buck.

 

[threechordcharlie]

Re: What acoustic strings do you prefer?

Hey! ThreeChordCharlie changed his mini truck avatar!...

I wanted to change it up a little.