Strings Need Help

[Coyote]

I have a AJ200 Epiphone, and I love it. The problem I am having is that my old guitar liked Dean Markely Blue steel acoustic strings in lite. These strings are a real bad fit with the Epiphone AJ-200. They sound horrible. I am new to Epiphone guitars, but have been playing for about 5 years (Acoustic and electric) My questions are:

 

1. What do you guys recommend for stringing an Epiphone acoustic?

2. I am having trouble finding Custom lites in Blue steel, why wont stores stock them? They are fairly close to factory strings for Gibson in size, unless I am mistaken.

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

[L1Picker]

Hello, and welcome to the forum. Glad you could stop by.

 

1) I've currently got Elixir Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze Lights on my Epi EL-00 and really dig it. Next I'll try some Martin 80/20 Lights. It really does come down to what your ear prefers.

 

2) I have no idea.

[stone1281734000]

Strings are subjective. You have to find the ones you like. I've got some Epiphone bronze 12-54's on my AJ-45. I like them, for now, as they're not too bright.

[Coyote]

Thanks, I will try those Elixir Phos Bronz lites

A

[dubstar]

I don't like elixirs at all...much prefer d'addario EXP13 custom lights...

 

http://www.daddario.com/DADProdDetail.aspx?CodaID=661&ID=2&Class=BBMA

[byrds1965]

I have an EJ160e and strung it the same as my other guitars with 12s. It always sounded stiff. I didn't realize until a couple years on that it is the longer scale neck than my AJ45, and others. By mistake I bought 11s and tried them and the guitar just opened up.

 

As said it is subjective, but I think the AJ200 is the same longer neck so try a gauge one lighter than you would use one time and see if it makes any difference on that guitar.

[stone1281734000]

I didn't realize until a couple years on that it is the longer scale neck than my AJ45' date=' and others. By mistake I bought 11s and tried them and the guitar just opened up.

 

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Is yours the older model AJ-45 with the shorter neck scale? Mine is a recent model(2006) with the longer scale.

[byrds1965]

 

Is yours the older model AJ-45 with the shorter neck scale? Mine is a recent model(2006) with the longer scale.

 

Mine is the older one. The series from 1998, I think they only made a couple of years. Replaced the bridge, keys, nut. It is not a J45 but it is close. I used to own a J45 and the Gibson was sweeter, but the Epiphone is real close.