jrplefty Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 It's time for new strings on my J-45 so I wandered to the music store. I'm still searching for the ideal string for my mahogany lady, with the john pearse 80/20 mediums in the lead so far. I decided to try a set of Cleartone 80/20 mediums. Just curious if anybody has played these strings at all? I will give them a couple of days to settle in before I pass judgement on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchristo Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I havent tried the cleartones yet, but I put a set of Curt Mangan P/Bs on yesterday, and Im pretty impressed so far Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannusguy2 Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I have a set on my Martin 016NY. I rather like them. I will use them again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonCarlos Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Actually last year Cleartone sent me six sets of strings (3 for the J45 and 3 for the Stratocaster). They are not bad strings at all, and it's really a choice of preference. When I decided to restring my J45 I decided not to continue using cleartone. They are durable, but sadly do not have a "cleartone" . Kind of a bit "muffled" if you ask me. And quite expensive (unless the company sends you some freebies). Many swear by them, though. My advice give them a try and see what you think. It is very important to settle on a sound you like. In the end, I have settled with the inexpensive Martin SP Lights (Phosph-Bronz). I like the balanced highs and lows of the strings and I can replace them with great frequency at a lower cost than the cleartones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eltonwce Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I had a set of lights on My Maple J-100 they wouldn't move the top. Just didn't have any drive to them. I think I would use at least a set of 13's if I used them again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spot Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Tried the Cleartone 12's on my J-50. They were just horrible......super loose and soupy,...un-playable,...... I was super disappointed. They don't go any heaver than 12's and the Lighter options must be even worse!!!! Here's my recent thread on Low Tension strings options: My link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfox14 Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Haven't tried the Cleartones. I'll be interested to know what you think of them. I always use D'Addarios Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merseybeat1963 Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Haven't tried the Cleartones. I'll be interested to know what you think of them. I always use D'Addarios I used the EXP D'Addarrio strings on my acoustics for years (but I usually play electrics)..The EXP sounded & felt much nicer than the Martins I used to use. But then the Lowden F Short Scale Brazilian/Adi Custom came with Elixer Nano Phos.Br. 12-53..when I eventually put the EXP D'Addario's on they felt & sounded much stiffer (& guitar much worse)..I realized the Elixer Strings are imperitive to the sound of that Lowden. I put the Elixers on the J200 Bozeman Prototype..and right away I had second thoughts (& raised the price while I reconsider the selling of it).. The Martin (D42 Custom Shoppe) always was a target for my insults...but when I put the Elixir Strings on, it absolutely blows like an old one.Its a gigantic difference. Somehow the strings feel more flexible but also drive the top & vibrate the back more..how that is possible I don't know but I really recommend a try. Elixir should try making uncoated versions of these strings as well one day. I had Cleartones on the J200 once..my first impression was "Wow.Sounds like the piano"..(the piano being a very good Steinway Model B Grand we have) but they felt like a set of .56's instead of the light they were (.53) guage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrplefty Posted May 12, 2012 Author Share Posted May 12, 2012 So, in the end I didn't give the cleartones enough time to make a fair assessment on their sonic qualities. Pretty much immediately upon putting them on they pulled the intonation on the low E and A off to the point that I could play an open G chord or open C chord without cringing. I ended up going to back to the Pearse 80/20's and things seem to have settled back to normal for the guitar. It seems really odd to me that .001 difference in gauge on 2 strings would make that big of a difference, but I guess it did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 I havent tried the cleartones yet, but I put a set of Curt Mangan P/Bs on yesterday, and Im pretty impressed so far I've got an assortment of these strings on 5 guitars - I consider my string search over, these are not expensive, and hard to beat in my book - I've had a set on the J-45 for 2 months now, and I play that guitar (without a pick) nearly every day for an hour or two, and they still sound and feel wonderful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EpiAlan Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 I found them to be less in tone and volume than Elixir Nanoweb strings.Which are the ultra lite coating. I use them most of all now. I don't like Elixir POLYWEB however..they sound dull and lifeless to me and I hate their look. I don't expect to use Cleartone strings again, they performed, but not as well as elixir, nor did they last as long as Elixir. I use elixirs on my martin J-40 rosewood...Taylor 815ce rosewood...Epi Masterbuilt AJ500R, and RainSong Graphite guitars. 80/20 on all but the AJ500R on which I use PB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 I find them too jangly, take too long to break in, and don't sound good when they break in....at least to my ear....prefer elixir, and am starting t like Newtone strings with round core...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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