Joe M Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I just bought a new (to me) J-45 and am looking for advice as to what brand and gauge of strings would be recommended for this guitar. Thanks in advance for any advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickax Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I think Gibson recommends light gauge strings for the 45. I use D'Addairo Phosphor Bronze light gauge. You will likely receive a variety of suggestions here. It's fun to experiment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 DR Sunbeam 13's. You will love them, make my Country Western sing and growl at the same time .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lefty Guy Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I use Elixir Nanos as my hands sweat a lot. I've tried a variety of string guages, mediums (13), lights (12) & custom lights (11) & to my taste the lights are a perfect balance between volume & playability. I found the mediums too heavy for my fingers & with the custom lights too much volume was sacrificed. I've tried both regular 80/20s & Phosphor Bronze. I found the 80/20s too bright whilst the PBs are much warmer & the result is a perfect balance between base, mid & treble on my J-45. You won't be surprised to hear that its exactly the opposite on my Martin HD-28..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spot Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Just put on a set of Cleartone's (in 11's). Not convinced!!! Â The search continues.... Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spot Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I use Elixir Nanos as my hands sweat a lot. I've tried a variety of string guages, mediums (13), lights (12) & custom lights (11) & to my taste the lights are a perfect balance between volume & playability. I found the mediums too heavy for my fingers & with the custom lights too much volume was sacrificed. I've tried both regular 80/20s & Phosphor Bronze. I found the 80/20s too bright whilst the PBs are much warmer & the result is a perfect balance between base, mid & treble on my J-45. You won't be surprised to hear that its exactly the opposite on my Martin HD-28..... Â Â Hey Lefty,...I'm gonna post a few pictures of my j45 Historic & SJ to get you GASin'.... Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lefty Guy Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Hey Lefty,...I'm gonna post a few pictures of my j45 Historic & SJ to get you GASin'.... Â Â Thanks drums, you're all heart! btw, what is the difference between the neck/nut on your J-45 & SJ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madman_Greg Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I quite like these  http://www.thomastik-infeld.com/guitars/index.html  Madman_Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
passthej45 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 unless you are playing leads and such......MEDIUMS !!!! When I finally put mediums (13-56) on my J45 Standard ,I chastised the forum for no one telling me sooner. Ok , no one can tell you what to like, but I felt like the mediums really opened up the guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 So true, i felt like an idiot for playing my CW with lights until I tried mediums ... huge difference, all for the better. Â unless you are playing leads and such......MEDIUMS !!!! When I finally put mediums (13-56) on my J45 Standard ,I chastised the forum for no one telling me sooner. Ok , no one can tell you what to like, but I felt like the mediums really opened up the guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars68 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I also prefer mediums on my J-45TV. It gave me more "meat" to the tone. I contacted Gibson to make sure the guitar could handle mediums, which they confirmed. Â Lars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I've got Gibson Masterbuilt Phosphor Bronze 12's on all my Gibsons: J-45 TV, SJ TV, J-35 Reissue, J-45 Rosewood Vine, AJ, Maple AJ, J-160E Standard, and J-185 Vine (I have nickel Gibson L-5 strings on my J-160E Peace). Â I know Gibson doesn't make their own string anymore, and my supply of Elgin-made boxes is rapidy dwindling, but I figure, a Gibson sounds the way it's meant to with Gibson strings. Â Of course, that's just a personal thing of mine. Different kinds and gauges of strings can bring out different qualities in your guitars that you might find an improvement or nice change of pace. I experiment less and less with other brands simply because I like how the Masterbulits sound, and I know what I can expect. Â I like 12's. I put some 11's on one of my Texans once, but I switched back with the next string change. Ditto on the occasions when I've used 13's. As Goldilocks said, they are just right. Â Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickax Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I also prefer mediums on my J-45TV. It gave me more "meat" to the tone. I contacted Gibson to make sure the guitar could handle mediums, which they confirmed.  Lars  Yes, I did likewise and the answer I got is they come with 12-53's but it's OK to go to a 13. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lespaulj45 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I just bought a new (to me) J-45 and am looking for advice as to what brand and gauge of strings would be recommended for this guitar. Thanks in advance for any advice. I use John Pearce 13-56 strings and I love the sound-just a thought Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 J-45s need mediums, and it is hard to go wrong with D'Addario EJ-17s. Â I tried a set of medium Reds -- a relatively new string -- on my J-45 a couple of months ago, and while I liked them, I went back to the EJ-17s. Figuring out the right guitar/string combination is usually a matter of trial and error. I have a kit-built guitar with D-18 specs that sounds amazing with the Reds. When I stuck some on my J-45, they sounded good, but over time, I just decided I liked the EJ-17s better. (Plus Reds are hard to get in the Twin Cities; I had to order mine from Elderly.) Â EJ-17s. Can't go wrong with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartanbeastie Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 for me, i love martin strings. i have different gauges on different guitars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe M Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 Thanks for all the responses; looks like I'm gonna have a fun time trying all the different suggestions that you've given me. I've got a set of John Pearse PB light's on it now. OK, but they seem a little too bright. I'm gonna give them a little time to settle in before I try something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartanbeastie Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 just a thought but if you want a warmer more mellow sound how about trying out some, daddario, Flat Top Phosphor Bronze Wound, silk and steel or gypsy jazz strings? I have flat wound chromes on my telecaster and they do sound great so the flat tops on the acoustic may also sound good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
double0blues Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I fingerpick and use Gibson Masterbuilt 12s on all my guitars - I used to use Martin Marquis exclusively but changed over to Gibsons awhile back - just like them better - lotta choices out here - experiment 'til you fine what feels best to you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6stringTom Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 I've played Martin medium light 80/20s for a while, but recently changed to Newtone double wound mediums. They're expensive strings, but they reduce string squeak and sound really full and balanced on the J45. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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