ryanfender Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Hey everyone, As some of you know, I recently acquired a J-185. It has D'Addario PBs in medium gauge. They sound good but squeak a lot. I have a set a Elixer Polyweb waiting for it. Does anyone have any other recommendations for strings on a jumbo Gibson? Experiences? I wait to stay with medium gauge strings. I have always loved Elixers but discussions on other forums about how Elixer color guitar tone makes me wonder if the grass is greener elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Strings, strings, strings.......so subjective! You'll have to experiment and satisfy your ear and fingers. I've found myself alternating between Pearse, Gibson and Rotosound light PB sets on my SJ200. Of the three I prefer the feel of the Rotosound Jumbo Kings, and they have a great jangle on this guitar. The Rotos seem to emphasize the woody tone of the guitar. The Pearse strings have a richness that the others don't.......very piano-like in that they sustain very strongly in the lows and mids. The Gibsons are okay but my least favorite of these three sets. If I had to pick one it would be the Rotos. They are, however, nearly impossible to find in stock at a local retailer and must be ordered online (get mine from Elderly). As for gauge, lights deliver great tone and volume from my 200. I have strung it with Pearse mediums more than once but did not like the top lift I was seeing. More volume and sustain from the heavier string, for sure, but for the long term I choose not to subject the top to the extra stress when the lighter gauge performs very well. As I said, string choice is very subjective and you now have the joy of trying sets on your new guitar to find the right string for your particular instrument - enjoy the hunt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor Player Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I have tried the "Greener grass" strings and they never seem to match up to my Elixir PB nano 12-54 gauge strings. I have decided that I am not going to listen to other ideas anymore as the Elixir's just sound good to my ears and last much longer than anything else I have tried. I keep the Elixir Nano PB's on all three of my guitars now and while each has it's own tone, the strings feel right, sound right and I don't squeak when I move up and down the fretboard playing fingerstyle. Flatpickers or strummers might find them less appealing, but for my style and my ears, Elixir's are great strings. (I don't break them either..... even the G strings) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWilson Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I just put a set of D'Addario EJ-19 phos/brnz on my SJ-200. The three "big" strings are mediums and the little guys are lights. I'm liking them a lot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanfender Posted April 22, 2009 Author Share Posted April 22, 2009 Yeah, I agree its totally subjective. I guess I am trying to narrow my choices down a little using this forum's experience with Gibson jumbos. That way I don't try, for instance, Martin strings which I have always hated. They last about 4 hours and then sound like crap. I was going to try some Pearse and some DR Sunbeams in addition to my Elixers. I also have a new set of D'Addario PBs at home to give them a second try. The ones on the guitar now seem a little old. If there are others out there to try out I would like to know. I will have to try to find some Rotosounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ke3ee Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 It is very subjective.. I happen to really like Martin marquis 80/20's 12's on my 185 so far. I tried D'adario's and hated them, Dr Sunbeam's were ok. I have some JP's on the way... Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hall Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Who knows. I like Gibson J-200s on their jumbos. But, I like Gibson strings in the first place, so whatever Gibson puts on their instrument is the string I use on my Gibsons. As always, takes the thought out of it. They're made right here. A, duh and a sigh, we all have our own preferences and it will always be that way. possible song title or lyrics ^"and it will always be that way" sniff, sob, or wail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asmith9509 Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I think a lot of experimentation is in order. Personally, I rotate through different brands all the time to hear the differences. I also use mediums. My recent experiences: Gibson Masterbilt PB- nice strings, good feel, a bit weak in the bass. Red- look cool, loud, tone is OK. Get cruddy really fast. Martin SP 80/20- Really, really nice. My favorite strings so far. D'Addario PB Mediums- good, balanced, cheap. My 2nd favorite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgwoods Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I like the DR Rares for my J185TV. Maple is bright enough so I tend toward darker sounding strings to bring out the best. They have lasted quite well, sound excellent and as loud as anything else I've tried. I find the J185 easy to play quiet or loud, but if you want loud you have to hit it, then it will be loud, and it won't overdrive. May Martin OM-21 Special seems like it is much more responsive- but it really just likes a lighter touch and if you hit it it doesn't respond all that well. Gibsons seem to be made to be played with a little more gusto than other guitars I've owned- it's a good thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
park0925 Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I just put a set of D'Addario EJ-19 phos/brnz on my SJ-200. The three "big" strings are mediums and the little guys are lights. I'm liking them a lot! I just bought a Songwriter Deluxe Special and did not love the medium gauge strings on them. I switched them to D'Addario PB light gauge, I loved the sound and feel of the lighter gauge, but missed the slighter deeper lows that the medium (I assume Gibson) strings provided. I considered doing what TWilson suggested and will likely try that next. As for the Elixers....I have a hard time dropping $25+ when I can pick up two sets of D'As for $14, not to say I haven't. They're great strings, but I don't like them 3 times as much as the D'As....Maybe I'm just a cheap a** :). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlarry14 Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I have a new (to me) SJ-200, and I just tried some John Pearse Phospher Bronze Silks (610LM) on it, and really like them. The are marked "Light/Medium" - .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053. They are amazingly comfortable, and I'd describe the sound as warm but well defined. I had tried some Gibson J200 mediums, and found them overly bright. The Pearses sound they way I wanted this guitar to sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaster Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 I've been using Martin FX 80/20 Flexible Core Light Mediums 12.5/55. these are marketed for fingerpickers,so far I like them a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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