Aster1 Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 Hi Ya'll, I've listened to recordings (only thru computer speakers) on D'Addario strings and was looking for others that may have done some listening tests. I am curious what others hear or think about the "brightest" sounding strings between Phosphor Bronze & 80/20's. I know the company lists 80/20 brighter, but I'd like to know what YOU hear and will not taint the poll with what think I hear. Looking for brighter & more mellow selection for the different woods on my Acoustic guitars. Rosewood, Maple, Mahogany, and one somewhat dead Epi w/ "Select Spruce" top. Thanks for joining in. [thumbup] I can't play any coated strings due to the chemicals to treat them. Need to stay with just Metals. Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salfromchatham Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 DRASTIC difference on my Martin D15 especially. PB bright (and wonderful) 80/20 - which i have on it now to use up some strings... muffled and muddy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 Just as a general observation - 80/20s on my J-45s have an "edgier" sound. Not necessarily what I would describe as "bright", but rather "raw". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 Interesting .... would have thought even blind Freddie could tell 80/20's are obviously brighter, but I guess not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 Not meaning to be rude But what is the point of this ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modoc_333 Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 80/20 is brighter when you first put them on. then they tail off and get that "rubber band" sound before too long. so, if absolutely brand new, then they are the brighter, but we are usually hearing them with a little play time on them (not even old, just some play) and so we here them as being more dull and thumpy. PB is plenty bright, but the bass strings tend to sound stronger so there is a perception that they don't have as much treble.... a very relative comparison on the EQ curve rather than actually measuring a frequency. PB tends to maintain it's characteristics and general EQ curve longer than 80/20. That's what my ears tell me anyway. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 Not meaning to be rude But what is the point of this ? You still got a hangover from St Pats day grumpie ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 80/20 for sure, as far as I ever knew. I thpught it was common knowledge. Being as there are some that say otherwise, I might try again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 You still got a hangover from St Pats day grumpie ? Haha , I was quite sensible I'm sorry to say , I'm a little bewildered about this survey though 🙃 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 Haha , I was quite sensible I'm sorry to say , I'm a little bewildered about this survey though 🙃 Well, seeing as there ARE some coming in and claiming PB's are brighter than 80/20, it seems to make sense now. Apparently not the no-brainer question we all thought it might be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 Well, seeing as there ARE some coming in and claiming PB's are brighter than 80/20, it seems to make sense now. Apparently not the no-brainer question we all thought it might be. Fair do's I'll keep my gob zipped Work away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted March 18, 2016 Author Share Posted March 18, 2016 Yes, I do believe it's NOT a slam dunk like advertised. Also, with the wealth of knowledge & experience here, does a PB sound brighter on "Rosewood" than 80/20 and then mellower on say "Mahogany" than 80/20? I'm struggling with my question after the work day, ARE THEY WOOD DEPENDENT or is one always brighter on all woods? Thanks again for participating. Maybe this is a dead horse and foolish, but for some reason it seems interesting to my simple mind. I'm really looking to dial in on my acoustics and capitalize on the different woods tonal qualities with specific strings. Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vacamartin Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 Bronze are very bright at 1st session on my L-00 Sitka/hog...................but PB's are bright on my sitka/maple L-00.......... different wood combos-different brightness from strings[confused] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 80/20 is brighter when you first put them on. then they tail off and get that "rubber band" sound before too long. so, if absolutely brand new, then they are the brighter, but we are usually hearing them with a little play time on them (not even old, just some play) and so we here them as being more dull and thumpy. PB is plenty bright, but the bass strings tend to sound stronger so there is a perception that they don't have as much treble.... a very relative comparison on the EQ curve rather than actually measuring a frequency. PB tends to maintain it's characteristics and general EQ curve longer than 80/20. That's what my ears tell me anyway. Keith Exactly. You are obviously a gentleman of taste and distinction! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted March 19, 2016 Author Share Posted March 19, 2016 Interesting .... would have thought even blind Freddie could tell 80/20's are obviously brighter, but I guess not. EA, who's "Blind Freddie" anyway. Is that my behind the forum scenes name that I don't know about? Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted March 19, 2016 Author Share Posted March 19, 2016 Bronze are very bright at 1st session on my L-00 Sitka/hog...................but PB's are bright on my sitka/maple L-00.......... different wood combos-different brightness from strings[confused] That's what I was wondering. Anyone have any info on why? Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VincentG Posted March 19, 2016 Share Posted March 19, 2016 I understand why many say that 80/20's are brighter. They are more edgy, raw when you first put them on like someone else said in this thread. I would say 80/20's also have a better string to string balance whereas PB lean toward bass emphasis. The result can be quite chocking on some guitars, when you just put them on. But I find them to be deeper, fuller than PB's and when they settle in, darker too! I would suggest anyone who hasn't already, to try Thomastik Infeld Spectrum 12-54... Especially if you are a fingerpicker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted March 19, 2016 Share Posted March 19, 2016 What are 80/20s? Maybe I've been using them for years, but I don't know it. All I kind of do is find some strings I like and watch for them to go on sale, then buy a bunch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted March 19, 2016 Share Posted March 19, 2016 What are 80/20s? Maybe I've been using them for years, but I don't know it. All I kind of do is find some strings I like and watch for them to go on sale, then buy a bunch. Color will let you know: 80/20 tends to look yellow while PB is more orange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe M Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Check out this thread http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206642 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Check out this thread http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206642 I like the reference to the fact that string brands differ as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted March 20, 2016 Author Share Posted March 20, 2016 Yes, with the amount of time (I don't have due to work) it would take a person you could spend a year messing around with all the strings/brands, etc. to land on what you like the best. I guess I'd rather be playing or riding the Harley with all that time. I'll have to try some 80/20's on my Hummingbird to see if it livens up just a bit (I don't want it to sound like the Dove cuz I already have that sound). Just a touch more top end with all the full mid-low end the Bird already has. Just love the J-45 Custom with PB's on it. Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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