(Solution Now Found) Suggestion for Strings to Tone down Brightness!

Sammy · May 2021

I recently bought on here from a Fretboader, a lovely Larrivee OM 03 and put on the same make of strings as I had on my Martin 00028 which I sold previously. They were the Martin MA 540T 12's coated strings, which had a really round nice tone on the Martin but on the Larrivee they sound just too bright, albeit they are a gauge lighter MA 535T 11's.

I know from experince on my electric guitars, the same type strings can sound very different on different guitars.

Until I got the Martin, I have always used D'Addrio coated 11's or Elixir 11's on my acoustics but found those particular Martin strings really suited the Martin, but whilst some would really like the bright sound on the Larrivee, which the tech, who did a set up for me when I bought it did, but that's not the sound for me.

So can anyone please recommend any acoustic strings which would tone down the brightness and give a more mellow sound.

I could try the D'Addrio or Elixir's that I use to use, but think I would probably run into the same issue, though maybe not!

On looking at various reviews, a few recommended DR Sunbeams for less bright sound, but have never tried DR strings on an acoustic or electric, so anyone tried those?

Andy79 · May 2021

Martin Retro Monel
Or anything un-coated and just wear them in, or out as the case may be

Tannin · May 2021

If you liked 12s on the 000-28, 11s on the longer scale Larrivee make sense. There are several ways you could go. Andy's monel suggestion might work for you or might be a bridge too far. Monels are weird: they have a sound all their own and you may or may not like it, or you may like it on one guitar not on another. Also, they generally sound really bad first up. You must stick with them for the first week until they start to provide their true sound. The bonus is that they last practically forever.

You could tinker with the construction: for example a round core (e.g., Sunbeams), or a ground-round winding, or even flat wounds. None of those would be among my first choices.

I think my first choice would be GHS Vintage Bronze. These are an 85/15 brass. The common 80/20 brass strings are more bright than phosphor bronze, not less bright, but the GHS 85/15s are very gentle and mellow. Whether this is a characteristic of 85/15 alloy or just something GHS do with these particular ones I don't know. Straight out of the packet they sound like old, very mellow, well-used 80/20s - which is very likely the sort of sound you are shooting for.

phil_b · May 2021

Error

ICBM · May 2021

Newtone Masterclass Phosphor Bronze

Round core, and sound like played-in strings out of the packet. They also seem to last ages.

I really dislike that brash new string sound, and these are the best I’ve used. Second choice would be DR Sunbeam, followed by DR Rare, and if you *must* have coated strings then their Dragon Skin are the only ones I don’t hate.

wrinkleygit · May 2021

Newtone Heritage for me, however for coated strings try the new DR Veritas range.

Sammy · May 2021

Tannin said:

If you liked 12s on the 000-28, 11s on the longer scale Larrivee make sense. There are several ways you could go. Andy's monel suggestion might work for you or might be a bridge too far. Monels are weird: they have a sound all their own and you may or may not like it, or you may like it on one guitar not on another. Also, they generally sound really bad first up. You must stick with them for the first week until they start to provide their true sound. The bonus is that they last practically forever.

You could tinker with the construction: for example a round core (e.g., Sunbeams), or a ground-round winding, or even flat wounds. None of those would be among my first choices.

I think my first choice would be GHS Vintage Bronze. These are an 85/15 brass. The common 80/20 brass strings are more bright than phosphor bronze, not less bright, but the GHS 85/15s are very gentle and mellow. Whether this is a characteristic of 85/15 alloy or just something GHS do with these particular ones I don't know. Straight out of the packet they sound like old, very mellow, well-used 80/20s - which is very likely the sort of sound you are shooting for.

Thanks, I have looked up the GHS strings and surprised that the 85/15 would be less bright than 100% phosphor Bronze. The only negatives I could see is that quite a few have said the strings don't last very long!

Sammy · May 2021

ICBM said:

Newtone Masterclass Phosphor Bronze

Round core, and sound like played-in strings out of the packet. They also seem to last ages.

I really dislike that brash new string sound, and these are the best I’ve used. Second choice would be DR Sunbeam, followed by DR Rare, and if you *must* have coated strings then their Dragon Skin are the only ones I don’t hate.

I have been looking at the those Newtone Strings, as they are, as you have mentioned are round core which apparently make them also easier to play! I was going to order a pack of 11-52's but they are out of stock and the only ones I can currently see in stock from retailers are asking £15, for a set costing direct from Newtone, just over £8 plus £1.20 p&p

TrevinDevon · May 2021

Sammy said:

ICBM said:

Newtone Masterclass Phosphor Bronze

Round core, and sound like played-in strings out of the packet. They also seem to last ages.

I really dislike that brash new string sound, and these are the best I’ve used. Second choice would be DR Sunbeam, followed by DR Rare, and if you *must* have coated strings then their Dragon Skin are the only ones I don’t hate.

I have been looking at the those Newtone Strings, as they are, as you have mentioned are round core which apparently make them also easier to play! I was going to order a pack of 11-52's but they are out of stock and the only ones I can currently see in stock from retailers are asking £15, for a set costing direct from Newtone, just over £8 plus £1.20 p&p

Newtone will make to order, if you can be patient for a few weeks. It's basically a one-man operation, so it pays to plan ahead.

ICBM · May 2021

Sammy said:

I have been looking at the those Newtone Strings, as they are, as you have mentioned are round core which apparently make them also easier to play! I was going to order a pack of 11-52's but they are out of stock and the only ones I can currently see in stock from retailers are asking £15, for a set costing direct from Newtone, just over £8 plus £1.20 p&p

Yes, both the round cores and the (I think) smaller core-to-wrap ratio Newtone use make the strings noticeably lower tension and slinkier to play, for the same gauges - without losing tone.

I would not pay retail mark-up for them though, no matter how good they are - part of the point for me is buying direct from a small UK business. (Although I wouldn't if they weren't good!)

Sammy · May 2021

ICBM said:

Sammy said:

I have been looking at the those Newtone Strings, as they are, as you have mentioned are round core which apparently make them also easier to play! I was going to order a pack of 11-52's but they are out of stock and the only ones I can currently see in stock from retailers are asking £15, for a set costing direct from Newtone, just over £8 plus £1.20 p&p

Yes, both the round cores and the (I think) smaller core-to-wrap ratio Newtone use make the strings noticeably lower tension and slinkier to play, for the same gauges - without losing tone.

I would not pay retail mark-up for them though, no matter how good they are - part of the point for me is buying direct from a small UK business. (Although I wouldn't if they weren't good!)

Just ordered a set from Newtone, will let you know what I think when they arrive and have put them, could be up to 14 days!

Thanks for your advice, just hope they suit the guitar, otherwise your reputation could be at stake!

stickyfiddle · May 2021

I was astonished how bad acoustic Elixirs were when I tried other strings on my Martin.

I’ve settled on Retro monels, so would obviously recommend those, or phosphor bronze. Definitely not coated

Sammy · May 2021

stickyfiddle said:

I was astonished how bad acoustic Elixirs were when I tried other strings on my Martin.

I’ve settled on Retro monels, so would obviously recommend those, or phosphor bronze. Definitely not coated

As I originally said the same strings can sound totally different on different guitars, I use to use Elixirs on an old Stonebridge ( Furch) GA guitar and they sounded really nice much better than any previous uncoated sets I had tried, they just suited the guitar. That was Rosewood with Cedar Top.

TheBigDipper · May 2021

Sammy said:

stickyfiddle said:

I was astonished how bad acoustic Elixirs were when I tried other strings on my Martin.

I’ve settled on Retro monels, so would obviously recommend those, or phosphor bronze. Definitely not coated

As I originally said the same strings can sound totally different on different guitars, I use to use Elixirs on an old Stonebridge ( Furch) GA guitar and they sounded really nice much better than any previous uncoated sets I had tried, they just suited the guitar. That was Rosewood with Cedar Top.

This...^^^. My Taw originally came with Elxir Polywebs. I didn't mind them, but it wasn't what I usually bought so I started a journey of trying different strings to see what I liked the best. On this, I didn't like Elixir Nanowebs (the string I like on all my electrics). I enjoyed having Monels on the guitar, but found it a bit "one sound". I liked Newtone 80/20 a lot. I've had a couple of "meh" experiences too. But some of the ones I didn't like on the Taw for sound were great on my larger-bodied L'Arrivee.

Following last weeks tweaking at Brook, I'm back on Polywebs (coz that's what they had) and realised they're actually the best thing for me on this guitar in terms of the sound and feel I get from them. Unsurprisingly, I realise I like the strings that were fitted to the guitar when I first played it and wanted to buy it.

DavidR · May 2021

Agree with advice above that Martin Retro Monels worth a try. Lass brassy, more steely and complex. Last 3-4 times longer than PB so work out cheaper in long run. Martin MM12 my favourites on Martin my OM28

wrinkleygit · May 2021

Even under lockdown the longest I had to wait for Newtones was 10 days, they really do their best to turn orders around quickly , well worth the wait.
For a first time user follow their instructions on fitting and cutting wound strings to length.

drofluf · May 2021

wrinkleygit said:

Even under lockdown the longest I had to wait for Newtones was 10 days, they really do their best to turn orders around quickly , well worth the wait.
For a first time user follow their instructions on fitting and cutting wound strings to length.

My bold; this bit is really important. I thought I knew what I was doing the first time I fitted some Newtones. Fortunately I only ruined one string before I thought to check.

ICBM · May 2021

Unless it's a guitar with Fender-type slotted machinehead posts you should never have to cut a string before tuning up anyway, regardless of make or construction.

Sammy · May 2021

Thanks for all the recommendations, will try the Newtones first when I do get them and if not suitable will try the Monels next, as quite a few seem to recommend them. Though may buy a set of the Monels now, as will get them in a couple of days so can try them first!

BingMan · May 2021

The difference in brightness won’t really be down to the string so much as the wood on those guitars. The Martin 00028 being rosewood and therefore darker in tone compared to the new Larrivee which is mahogany and typically brighter with more mids.

Monel strings are defo worth a try, especially once they have mellowed off. D’add nickel bronze are also worth checking out - same sort of vibe to the monels.

80/20s start off bright but once they dull they do go very mellow, it’ll just take some time and playing.

I’d also recommend going for 12s and not 11s personally, think that might help some too.

Another thing you could try is tuning down a half step... but you’ll best doing this with 12s

And lastly the other thing that’s been overlooked is pick thickness and material (if you use a pick).
a thicker pick is going to give you more a rounded high end, so it’s worth trying a bunch out as they are cheap enough. I like Dunlop primetones with the nice bevelled edges.

this is all just my opinion of course and part of the fun is trying different strings to see what your guitar responds best too

Sammy · May 2021

Update, have had to wait to try the different sets of strings, as I was awaiting for a new set of tuners from Larrivee as the tec who set it up advised one of the tuners wasn't quite bolting tight to the guitar, which he said would have happened when being built and fitting the machine head, as it had been slightly cross threaded, so he advised to get it replaced sometime even though it was working perfectly okay. I could have easily just left it but decided to check if I could get a single replacement. So emailed Larrivee and obviously as I wasn't the original purchaser, it wasn't covered under their gurantee so I would have to pay for a new one.

They advised just for one, it worked out at US$25 about £18 incl postage, so as a good will gesture they said if I would like to upgrade to their better quality set they would let me have them for a 50% discount, which they said would then also help me for the postage to UK, so it was a no brainer! Really top Company and very nice to deal with, as they didn't have to do that considering I bought it s/h.

Anyway, whilst waiting for the tuners to arrive, the Martin strings were starting to tone down a bit and I was begining to quite like them, but as the Tuners had arrived a couple of days ago, as I had to take the strings off when putting the new tuners of yesterday, I decided to try the Monels. As various people have said they definately have their own sound almost like a tin sound, not that great at the moment! So as advised, I will give them a couple of weeks to tone down and give some feedback on my thoughts, as the Newtone strings arrived this morning, so they will be the next ones to test out, if the Monels don't cut it!

Sammy · June 2021

Okay short update really starting to love the Monels now, they have there own sound but it gradually just grows on you, plus the strings have a lovely smooth feel and are so easy to play, I can't put the guitar down.

So hopefully the sound will still improve over the next week.

I now have my new Pono parlour, just recently bought off someone on the site. It's a beautiful guitar but also has that sort of too bright sound for me, similar body with acacia back and sides but with cedar top. So now have a slight dilema, as want to try out the Monels but don't really want to take the Monels off the Larrivee at present, so was going to try out the Newtones on it, but would still like to see how the Newtones sound on the Larrivee! Also if I put the Newtones on the Larrivee first, I would be able to try them out afterwards on the Pono as it is a shorter length.

So I think, I will leave Monels on for another week on the Larrivee to see if any further improvement and try the newish Martin MA 535 strings on the Pono, which I took off the Larrivee to try the Monels, but were beginning to sound better. Then I will try the the Newtone strings on the Larrivee and swap the Monels to the parlour and then try the Newtones on the parlour. At least then I will have tried all three different strings on each guitar and can hopefully decide which set suits which guitar best. Plus not wasting monies buying duplicate sets of strings I don't like!

Sammy · June 2021

Put the Newtone Master Class strings on late Saturday afternoon and they sounded good straight from the off, no real bright harsh sound like I have found when putting any other make of new bronze strings on for the first time! Played it for quite a while and really liked the sound.

Sunday really tried them out fully as they had settled down, hard to describe but they are better than any other Phospher Bronze I have ever used, they have a sort of real rich harmonic sound almost bell like but with no brittle top end and smooth sounding. I just couldn't put the guitar down, played some chords softly with my pick and it's just a lovely tone, then played it quite hard and the chords just ring out, with no muddyness at all, just wish I had tried these strings years ago!

I did do a recording of each of the three strings to compare before I changed them, but unfortuntely as it took me so long to work out how to use Reaper again, I just did random chord sequences and single note runs on the first set, so each time I put on my next track I wasn't playing exactly the same things.

Anyway I kept going back and forth many times over the tracks listening, plus with remembering my own thoughts of how they sounded whilst I was playing each different set, I have set out my impressions of how they compared.

First set - Martin Retro Monel MM11, completely transformed the Larrivee, the more I played it the better the sound became, as others have said about these monel strings, they are quite different from Bronze strings they sort of bring out the natural sound of the guitar with no overtones. When playing chords you hear every string, they don't mass into one blur and single notes sound very articulate and natural.

They are not quite as loud as Bronze strings and don't have that bronze sort of zinginess, but are really lovely sound nothing harsh at all. The top strings do sound reasonably bright but in a nice sort of way, nothing harsh or over the top. These were a joy to play, your fingers just glide over the strings, I have not felt smoother strings even on my electrics and not an ounce of soreness on my finger tips after playing, which I normally get after playing an acoustic.

Second Set- Martin Lifespan MA535T (Put these back on to record and try again after trying the Monels)

The brightness on these strings started to settle down after a week, so were much better sounding after my post!

Whilst I did start to like them more, once I had tried the Monels and Newtones, these won't be going back on this guitar anytime in the furture, the other two sets were streets ahead in sound, though they were really easy to play and were second easiest to play after the Monels. Whilst they didn't suit the Larrivee they sounded really great on my previous Martin Re-imagined 00028 with a lovely sweet sound, so I would say they are best suited for Rosewood guitars with spruce tops, where they excel at.

Third Set- Newtone Masterclass SS. Once on couldn't believe the lovely sound from these, as per above, best Phospher Bronze strings I have ever had on any acosutic guitar. Clear ringing and bell like, no harsh overtones anywhere and like the Monels were a dream to play, such a smooth feel to the strings and again no sore fingers afterwards.The only thing puzzeled me, whilst they were very easy to play like the other two sets, they seemed to have a bit more tension in them,which was surprising, as I was led to believe, Newtons having round cores, had slightly less tension. I would definately recommend these strings to anyone to try out on their acoustic plus made in the UK! I will definately be buying some Newtones to try on my electric guitars now and if they are any where as good as these acoustic strings, I will be well happy.

Verdict- I really loved both the Monels and the Newtones for my Larrivee, they changed the guitar into, probably the best acoustic guitar I have ever owned, in both sound and playability. They each have their own sound, the Monels having a unique sound, which as others have said you will either love them or not and the Newtones having a Phosphor Bronze sound, which IMO exceeds any of the other Bronze strings I have played over the years. At the present moment, only having each set on for a short time, I can't really say which I prefer overall as I like them both for the different sound they give on the Larrivee.

Having always had mostly Rosewood acoustic guitars over the many years, as I have always prefered the sound of Rosewood guitars and their looks, if I had realised different strings made such a big difference on an acoustic, I would have experimented much more with strings against which woods were used on the guitars. I now own a mahogany acoustic with spruce top, which as I previously mentioned, is proabably the best sounding and playable acoustic I have ever owned and had it not been for this forum and me seeking some string advice on, if I could tone down the brightness, I may have well sold it on!

Plus I now also own a Pono Parlour, which I just recently bought, has acacia back and sides, very similar to mahogany, but with a cedar top, so have just ordered another set of Monels, 12's this time, so the tech can put them on when he sets up the guitar. Though I will also be ordering some more Newtones as well to try out on it as well, as the current Bronze which were on it when I bought it, are quite harsh sounding.

So from my own experince on testing out various strings, before you sell that acoustic as you don't really like the sound and how it plays, do your self a favour go and buy a few sets of various different strings and try them out, as it may transpire that same guitar could turn out to be a real favourite, whilst also saving you money and time looking for an alternative!

simonhpieman · June 2021

So much good stuff there, Sammy! My Gibson J-100 is spruce with mahogany back and sides so it stands to reason I was taken aback by the brightness as you were with yours! I'm learning all the time...

This cements Newtones as top of the "to try" list for me now, though that may need to wait until I've got a few spare quid for a setup as I can't risk having the guitar unplayable/sounding bad for gigs - it's my only electro-acoustic now!

Thanks for sharing your experiences, it's genuinely useful and I've learned so much, particularly as a total noob to the world of acoustics!

Tannin · June 2021

Great stuff @Sammy and a good result. I have three sets of Newtones on order but they have not shipped yet. I'll be keen to try them out when they get here.

Your advice to play the string-swap game before selling a guitar I agree with 100%.

JRgtar · June 2021

Some useful info in this thread, I’ll be trying out some alternatives to the Elixers I’ve used the last few years. Thanks!

Sammy · June 2021

Tannin said:

Great stuff @Sammy and a good result. I have three sets of Newtones on order but they have not shipped yet. I'll be keen to try them out when they get here.

Your advice to play the string-swap game before selling a guitar I agree with 100%.

I'm presuming they are some of his different sets, so you will have to advise the difference between them!

As would be keen to know how they compare to the Masterclass ones I currently have and will save me trying any that you don't recommend, as my pet hate is changing strings, especially on acoustics, plus your the overall expert now for us all, on different strings mfts.

Sammy · June 2021

simonhpieman said:

So much good stuff there, Sammy! My Gibson J-100 is spruce with mahogany back and sides so it stands to reason I was taken aback by the brightness as you were with yours! I'm learning all the time...

This cements Newtones as top of the "to try" list for me now, though that may need to wait until I've got a few spare quid for a setup as I can't risk having the guitar unplayable/sounding bad for gigs - it's my only electro-acoustic now!

Thanks for sharing your experiences, it's genuinely useful and I've learned so much, particularly as a total noob to the world of acoustics!

What I would suggest is you get the Monel strings first as you are having it set up at the same time, as the Monel strings are slightly easier tension. Then when you later try the Newtones, being a little bit stiffer tension, you won't have to make any adjustments on the guitar from the setup already done. Well that worked for me and think the Monels with your guitar should sound good, especially as you are using it as an electro as they may sound better than the Newtones plugged in!

Sammy · July 2021

Just a quick update I put the Monels on my Pono Parlour and they really sound good a total difference to whatever make of Bronze strings were on it when I bought it that made it sound a little bit boxy. Also can't believe how much louder the guitar now sounds for such a small guitar.

My son came over last week and tried both out, he couldn't believe how much difference the Newtones on the Larrivee, sounded and played, he said it was the best acoustic he had ever played and the best acoustic I had ever had. He also loved the Pono and really liked the difference in the sound of the two guitars and told me to leave them as they are, but I think I will still buy a set of Newtones 12's just to try, when I next have to change the strings on it!

As previously mentioned I have no idea how either strings sound if electrified, as one set of strings may sound better than the other, but as I have tried both guitars via a mic in front, which does give more or less does give the true tone of just playing acoustically, obviously according to type of amp your playing it through, I will not be sticking a pickup in either guitar just to try and go down the mic in front route, if I were to play out somewhere.

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(Solution Now Found) Suggestion for Strings to Tone down Brightness!

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