Best Acoustic Strings

[Larry Harris]

I have an AJ-220S VS and I have been trying different strings to really bring out the tone in this guitar. Just put some Martin FX - 13 gauge strings and will see how I make out. Anyone have any ideas as I know it is a preference thing here.

 

Cheers, Larry Harris

[meanstreak]

A lot of guys swear by the D'Addario's but I've never tried them myself. I've only ever used either Gibson Masterbuilt or Martin 80/20 regular or SP. Those have always had a great sound IMHO and are cheap enough to change regularly.

[el capitan]

If you look at acoustic guitar strings on eBay Martin & D'DARRIO dominate as they do the market & for good reason. I find a particular guitar responds best to a particular brand, type & gauge of string & once you find it ,stick with it.

[milod]

Larry...

 

We dunno how much experience you have, but here's my take. I use strings I like a lot. Every now and then I try something else.

 

Most of the time I pick the same way on the same guitars. I'm a very gentle fingerpicker. I have a cupla AEs that I use for flatpicking, but I'm quite gentle with that, too. Almost always I'm running an AE as an AE, not trying to boost sound.

 

Bottom line for me is that some folks will tell me I'm a fool for liking the strings I like on guitars I like with technique I like.

 

I'd say that in ways you can make a case that the strings, the guitar and ... your technique ... are a triumvirate. So you're keeping the guitar, you aren't talking about seeing what difference one might find in tone through technique, so that leaves strings, eh?

 

m

[Dodger11]

Larry...

 

We dunno how much experience you have, but here's my take. I use strings I like a lot. Every now and then I try something else.

 

Most of the time I pick the same way on the same guitars. I'm a very gentle fingerpicker. I have a cupla AEs that I use for flatpicking, but I'm quite gentle with that, too. Almost always I'm running an AE as an AE, not trying to boost sound.

 

Bottom line for me is that some folks will tell me I'm a fool for liking the strings I like on guitars I like with technique I like.

 

I'd say that in ways you can make a case that the strings, the guitar and ... your technique ... are a triumvirate. So you're keeping the guitar, you aren't talking about seeing what difference one might find in tone through technique, so that leaves strings, eh?

 

m

 

Milod

 

very good advice - and the technique, guitar and strings very well described as a triumvirate because the tone will really depend a lot on all three together. Taste is very subjective so what sounds good to my ears might not to yours. Depends too on whetrher you're a strummer or picker (I like to try both but not great at either!). I have tried lots of brands and alloys but always come back to Elixirs or PB D'addarios because I like warmth and midrange over highs but that's just me.

 

Dodger

[DrRogerFisher]

I have tried lots of brands and alloys but always come back to Elixirs or PB D'addarios because I like warmth and midrange over highs but that's just me.

Dodger

 

Mlod's right of course, strings are only one part of the "tone" equation.

But I'm with the Dodger on Elixirs - they seem to bring out the warm midrange tones of my Epis.

Plus they "feel" very comfortable against the flesh of my fingers. Other players, other styles, maybe other strings; it's all personal taste.

For me, the Elixirs have a feel and tone I'm very comfortable with.

[GuitarLight]

For me, Elixir nanoweb 80/20 bronze lights (.12-.53) or nanoweb Phosphor bronze lights...on all my acoustics, Gibsons, Epi's, Martins, Taylors, or Guilds.

[milod]

Actually except for two archtops I'm experimenting on with various gauge flats, I generally use Elixir polywebs 9-42 on both electric and acoustic, except on one AE I've switched to using either Zebra 9-42 or a string-by-string purchase of polyweb 9-42 acoustic. I do have polyweb 10s on 2 flattop AEs that I use only for flatpicking.

 

m

[dhanners623]

I try different strings from time to time, but always come back to D'Addario EJ-17s. They're really good strings, very consisted from set to set.

 

Different strings react differently to your body chemistry, so it is best to keep trying strings until you find what feels and sounds good to you.

[milod]

Bein' a picker is good...

 

But you used-to-was a newspaper reporter?

 

Sad. Very sad.

 

m

 

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