What Strings & Gauge do you like on your Hummingbird?

[Markus W.]

If you want please let discuss about your favorite strings for your 'Bird...

[EuroAussie]

In terms of gage I like both 12's and 13's and regularly switch them on mine. I like the extra growl I get with 13's but I also like the honey drip from the 12's. Right now Im using 12's and will probablyl stick with them for a while.

 

In terms of strings, Im a big fan of DR Sunbeams on mahogany. But I found them a bit too mellow for the Bird' and also I found the Bird' likes relatively fresh strings, with still a decent abount of zing. So I use EXP PB 12's as they are a bit more brighter than the Sunbeams and retain their zing longer, which is important on the low EA strings, for me at least.

[music4love]

Im still undecided. Im currently still using the factory strings which I understand to be 80/20 lights. My next string change will be p's. Daddarios. After that I am going to try John Pearse. Then I will report back. So keep this thread open for a while. We have quite a few new hummingbird owners. Give us some time and you will have more responses. In the meantime, thanks for posing this question. Hopefully I can get some other ideas about the direction I want to go.

[Buc McMaster]

Rats. I mistakenly voted for 80/20. My bad. Actually I've never liked anything but PB on any acoustic guitar I've owned. I've tried DR Sunbeams, Pearse PB and Pearse 80/20 on my H'Bird so far. The Sunbeams were terrible on this instrument though they have been my usual choice on guitars in the past. The 80/20s were too bright for my ear. Pearse PB 12s are the ticket so far.....warm, not too bright. I've thought about a set of the same in 13 but haven't done that yet. Sacrificing playability for a little volume and power doesn't sound that appealing to me right now. I do intend to put on a set of D'Addario 12s perhaps this weekend and give them an honest go......they are cheaper and they are everywhere.

[Denis57]

I only swear by my beloveth Elixir 80/20 bronze .012 .

 

With freshly changed strings, my Bird signs such sweet tonalities

 

[MissouriPicker]

I usually play Lites on all my guitars. Don't know if I have a favorite brand. I use lots of name brands.

[Jinder]

On both my former Birds, the only strings that ever sounded "right" were D'Addario EJ16 12-53 PBs.

 

Ironically, my L-00 hates them, my AJ virtually spat off the set I tried, my Epi EJ200 sounds tinny with them, my former SJ200 didn't like 'em...must be a Hog thing.

 

My former '94 "Early" J45 sounded gargantuan with EJ16s. Maybe it really is a Hog thing!

[J-1854Me]

I don't have a Hummingbird; all I have is a Country Western and a Sheryl Crow.

 

So, no honey-glazed tone for me --

 

Fred

[Joe M]

I only swear by my beloveth Elixir 80/20 bronze .012 .

 

With freshly changed strings, my Bird signs such sweet tonalities

 

 

+1. I've tried many different brands (always .012) and, to me, the Elixirs sound the best. Their longevity is only a plus.

[fortyearspickn]

I only swear by my beloveth Elixir 80/20 bronze .012 .

 

With freshly changed strings, my Bird signs such sweet tonalities

 

Agree. changed out the Masterbuilts on my TV - the Elixrs are great.

[DaveRoach]

Elixer 12's for my Bird TV

[fortyearspickn]

Zombie Alert!

[Motherofpearl]

Elixir 12s here too! Though I'm gonna give the DR Rares a shot next

[music4love]

My original post was a year ago with my Hummingbird MC. Im using D'addario EXP 12's on the TV. I like them If it aint broke, don't fix it.

[RoyK]

Hey all,

What strings did my 2019 or 20  Bird modern M, mahogany AV (cutaway) come with?  BTW...

I’ve had this guitar for about 3 months, and I am loving it!

I’ve nicknamed her “Trigger-finger”  because she actually gave me a known medical condition called trigger-finger— Not out of malice, mind you, but simply because I’ve played her so damn much, day in and day out. You can’t make this stuff up.

I just love her tone (balanced bright and warm to my ear), and projection. Not to mention the strikingly beautiful cherry burst finish. But alas, I need new strings, Hence this RFI.

If any of you have a personal favorite string set for this guitar, please feel free to let me know  the “what’s and why’s”  All info and opinions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks, -RK

 

[Jalex]

Currently trying Santa Cruz parabolic low tension strings, I'm still not sold on them though. I had them on my J-185 and they came off pretty quickly. I think Elixir phosphor bronze seem to work best on my Bird.