Official Luthiers Forum!

For Steel String guitars what strings do you prefer? 80/20? Phosphor/Bronze? Coated?

I'm in need of placing an order and wondered what was popular these days.

Thank You!!!

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Tough question. For me, I'm not a fan of coated, BUT I don't have a lot of experience with them. It depends on the guitar. I think Phosphor/bronze is a really good all around string for most guitars. I've also used 80/20 on some guitars, and it's very bright initially, but once they're played for a while they calm down a lot and sound very nice. If I was to be placing a bulk order, I believe I would go with Phosphorus/bronze.

Brent

Brent, Good info, thanks for the reply

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Martin Strings for acoustics. Period.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Let us know where you find a good deal! I always seem to miss the group buys and need some. Group buys usually get them for $2-2.5 a set I think.

I can't really tell much difference in quality US made string brands.

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Pat

die Doppel-Post

What do people think of D'addario vs Martin phosphor bronze?

Every guitar that comes through the door at Dream Guitars gets D'Addario EXP 80/20's. For a coated string they sound great, and of course, they occasionally hang on the wall more than a few days, so non-coated strings aren't an option. Consequently, every repair I do for Paul gets the same, unless the customer specifies something different.

I do like the warmth of phosphor bronze, but they do tend to squelch the trebles a bit.


Ken Jones
Mountain Song Guitars

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

stringthis.com sells the Martin SP Lights in bulk....

For my guitars I like the Elixers, they last so much longer than anything else. My strings usually die from corrosion, I don't play that much and I've got more than one guitar.
I get the Ernie Ball Slinkys(electric) or Earthwound(acoustic) for guitars I'm working on, they're not bad and they're cheap in bulk. I don't see the logic in using better strings until I'm done with the strings-on strings-off in finishing up. You guys probably don't have to do that.

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A man hears what he wants to hear, and disreguards the rest. Paul Simon

Likewise. I do like the Martin Bluegrass Med-Light if I'm not playing a lot. It has a 56 low E and and 11 high and sound great. Second are Phosphor bronze. I generally always push mediums on anyone who plays a bit. Like da big bass.

D'Addario, EXP16's here.. Yes, they are a coated string. They last a long time, and are relatively inexpensive. Under $7 w/free shipping.

I like the Elixer Nano-webs bronze strings. Last a really long time.

coated elixir 80/20 are the best I have tried so far (gauge 12)

Today I bought some coated D'addario phosphor bronze, 12's to see what they are like

I personally use light gauge D'Addario Phosphor Bronze, replacing the E and B with a .13 and .17.

I might try the Martins if they last longer?

Like Filippo, I order in bulk from Euphenon (Walter P Lipton Co.) and have been since the mid 80's. They sell other stuff as well.They're a very good string and you can put together custom sets. Other than that, I sometimes use strings.com for some name brand stuff.

Brent

Very Informative. I have been using D'addario phosphor bronze bought in bulk. I need some individually wrapped strings to send home with people. I have never tried coated but would like to.

Mark, I would be very interested in how you would compare these two strings

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

I like D'Addario EXP's 80/20 coated strings. I never really liked the sound of Phospor bronze with the exception of DR strings. But now I only use the D'Addario EXP. It's a personal preference though.

Over at acoustic guitar forum there was a lengthy thread about this a few months ago. http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/foru ... you+use%3F

Hope you find this useful.


I believe more people use PB to 80/20. As for coated strings Elixer, D'Addario EXP's, and DR's Dragonskins are pretty popular.

Popular brands I see most people using:

D'Addario
DR
Ernie Ball
John Pearse
Elixer
GHS
Thomastik
Dean Markley
Martin

I think it is an equation of player, guitar and string, even the pick if one is used.
I have not found a string type or brand that would work best for every guitar I have or have made,
but for my personal acoustic (redwood/eir OM size) I prefer Thomastic Infeld spectrum bronze.

For me its GHS Bright Bronze. They have a bit more twang than regular 80/20's but less than phosphor bronze. They seem to sound new longer too
My second choice is Martin SP. Can't go wrong with those

EXP phos/bronze light. I change my strings once per year; although, I build much more than I play. I've grown accustom to them over the years, so they sound right to my ears on my guitar.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

OK I will let you know, I am hoping to get the wirey, tangy sound from the D'addario's