Acoustic Strings

[Karloff]

I've never been "sold" on 1 particular brand of Acoustic Guitar string, like I am for my Electrics. I'm just curious, what brand and gauge of strings do you guys use on your acoustics ?

[quapman]

Hey Karloff,

 

For what it's worth I have been using Elixer Nano's(11's) on my J-45 for the last couple of years.

They sound great and they last a long time.

 

I guess I liked them cuz I ended up putting them on my other acoustic and have a set to put on my campfire guitar.

So I must like them.. lol.

 

But I like them mostly because they last, but they also do sound good.

 

I tried them on electric(they are ok, and yes they were electric strings) but I like them better on acoustic.

[Ryan H]

Another vote for Elixirs. I've been swapping between 11's and 12's for awhile, still not sure which I prefer. Always been Nanoweb, 80/20.

 

My sweat is corrosive enough to wear nickel plating down to the copper layer on my bridges in a matter of months, so Elixirs are a Must. They could probably last a year if I left them, but I find they start to lose their "zing" after about 2 months.

 

-Ryan

[Karloff]

Quap,

thats just what I put on my acoustic last time. same gauge too. and I like them, but i still seem to wanna try others out. weird. I've used Ernie Ball Slinkys on my electrics forever... just can't seem to get dialed in on acoustic strings. The Elixirs do last though.

[kidblast]

Elixir Nano 12s.. put them on everything that has a round hole on the top!

[pauloon]

Gibson or D'addario 10's....just like my 'leccy.......I like the sound.................simple as 'dat.

[daveinspain]

The nicest playing acoustic I ever tried was my buddy Jackie's ovation beater.... I was like man this guitar sounds and plays great. He had regular electric strings on it, might have even been .09s which is what he always uses on his guitars. SO after that I put some electric 10s on my acoustic and love it...

[Sitedrifter]

I use D'addario Phosphor Bronze 13's or Dunlop Phosphor Bronze 13's

[LPguitarman]

I'm not tied to one brand, probably because I don't play acoustic as much as electric. But, I changed strings on my brand new Gibson Songwriter Deluxe to D'addario 10's. Couldn't take the Gibson 12's it came with. Too hard to play for my electric fingers.

[fingers galore]

Martin SP Studio/Performance Phosphor Bronze 010-047 on my 6 & 12 string acoustics.

[Karloff]

I use D'addario Phosphor Bronze 13's or Dunlop Phosphor Bronze 13's

 

on my lunch hour today, i bought a set of these at the suggestion of the guy at the store. 12 gauge. looking forward to seeing how they sound

[milod]

On acoustics I plan mostly to flatpick, Elixir polyweb 10s.

 

On the smaller acoustics I plan to fingerpick... I've been using DR Zebras 9-42 that are designed for AE guitars. I also got a batch of Polys up to 42 to make my own lighter string set to see whether I'll prefer the DR or the lighter Elixirs.

 

Just got a 12-string and the original strings are 10s - they'll go in a cupla weeks in favor of D'Addario 9s - among the lightest acoustic sets I could find, although there are some electric 8s.

 

On electrics mostly Elixir polys too - although on a cupla archtops I'm experimenting with some light flatwounds.

 

m

[BobF_]

D'Addario EJ16 or Martin SP.

 

I just recently tried a set of SP and I really like them. Seem to be lasting too.

 

 

I've tried various coated strings over the years. I don't like them.

[Tman]

I love Rotosound acoustic strings and they're all I use anymore.

[jdgm]

I'm on the D'Addario phosphor bronze at the moment, with another set in the 'string bank'....

BUT...

Gotta try the Elixirs

and some proper full brass strings too if I can find them...

For those with $$ - Optima Golds. Wow. Loudest thickest-sounding strings I ever heard and they're GOLD!

[surfpup]

For the last 10 years, Elixir and only Elixir. First there was only one coating. Then they came out with the Nonoweb (lighter coating). I stuck with the Polyweb (heavier coating).

[Edlo]

I've never been "sold" on 1 particular brand of Acoustic Guitar string, like I am for my Electrics. I'm just curious, what brand and gauge of strings do you guys use on your acoustics ?

I use the Elixir Nanoweb 11's on m epiphone EJ-200CE, love the tone.

[Rabs]

I tend to flip and try different strings...

 

But I like the D'Addario EXP Phosphor Bronze strings.. 10s (to 47)

[Karloff]

I use the Elixir Nanoweb 11's on m epiphone EJ-200CE, love the tone.

 

That's my acoustic guitar. I like the D'Addarios phosphor bronze. Sounds good

[milod]

I think FZ kinda hit one point...

 

He sez his D28 would sound good with about any string - noting even dental floss.

 

I think that's pretty much the case with any decent guitar.

 

But I'd personally add the caveat that different technique may best be used on strings and setup appropriate to that technique.

 

For example, my 9-42 on a flattop with low action will be buzzing all over the place and sounding horrid regardless of the theoretical quality of the instrument. But even on an inexpansive medium-size Epi, with a light fingerpicking technique they and the guitar sound marvelous. Wanna slam out all-acoustic bluegrass? Better get something else at work, 'cuz those strings and a guitar that size just ain't gonna make it even if it's a $6,000 custom box.

 

m

[Jon S.]

I've used Masterbuilt and D'Addario PB 12 gauge acoustic strings for about 20 years.

[badbluesplayer]

I use phosphor bronze strings. Darco, Martin, D'Addario. 12/54's. Darco's are inexpensive - good for mashers like me.