Acoustic Strings, round 2

stickyfiddle · October 2021

This time for the Atkin 47.

Many may remember my lengthy thread on strings for my HD28 (here) so I’m doing a separate one for this very different guitar rather than clutter that thread.

This guitar is Atkin’s Forty Seven, which is largely a Gibson LG-2 style, all mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck and pao ferro fretboard.

It came with Elixir phosphor bronze 12s, which sounded remarkably good. I initially switched to the same Martin Retros as my HD28 has had for a couple of years but they sound flat and dull on this guitar. I’ve already had some Daddario EJ11s on it this week because I already had them, but I don’t think 80/20s suit this guitar at all.

Next up I’m going back to Elixirs for a bit to really confirm that they were actually good, then I have a couple of other sets of phosphors en route, starting with D'addario XTs, which I’ve never used at all

Mellish · October 2021

Brand-wise you could try DR, La Bella, Thomastik, Rotosound, Martin (my favourite). D'Addario has cryogenic strings I tried and liked

Tannin · October 2021

I will watch with interest.

PS: good move switching back to Elixirs for a while. That gives you a known, familiar starting point to set against the others you try.

stickyfiddle · October 2021

Tannin said:

I will watch with interest.

PS: good move switching back to Elixirs for a while. That gives you a known, familiar starting point to set against the others you try.

Ya absolutely. It’s also because they surprised me with how good this sounded out of the box. I didn’t like them on the Martin but it might be they end up my favourites for this

McSwaggerty · October 2021

Have you tried Newtone Heritage strings....or Masterclass ?

stickyfiddle · October 2021

McSwaggerty said:

Have you tried Newtone Heritage strings....or Masterclass ?

Not yet, as they're hard to get here in Abu Dhabi! But too many people have mentioned them not to try and get hold of a set via my friendly parcel forwarding service

DavidR · October 2021

Apologies for repetition but in threads about strings I usually add a plea for Monels!

Monel is a type of tarnish-resistant steel and used to be used in the 'olden days' i.e. prior to PB in the 1970's. If you're listening to a recording of music played on an acoustic prior to that, there will be a very high chance that you are listening to Monel.

Last ages (hence cheaper+++). Less brassy sounding. Different 'steely' sound. Worth a try. Have been hooked on Martin MM12 for the last 2y. Tried PB on my Martin OM28 recently but swapped back to MM12 - even before PB's had died (which IMHO and with my playing frequency takes about 2w - I leave Monels on for 3-4m!).

Just saying.

stickyfiddle · October 2021

Yep, I love the monels on my HD28. They just don't work for this guitar, sadly. I think what this needs is a classic phosphor sort of thing - very woody and a lot less sparkle.

I've put elixirs back on it for now and they're def better than the retro/monels or 80/20 EJ11s that lasted 2 days! I have some D'ad XTs to try next, and will line up regular phosphors from D'ad, Mangan, Martin and Newtone and see how I feel

Tannin · October 2021

DavidR said:

Apologies for repetition but in threads about strings I usually add a plea for Monels!

I agree about the merits of Monel strings. They are in a sonic world all their own. However they have nothing to do with steel: Monel is an alloy of nickel and copper, mostly nickel, with a few traces of other metals added in. Monel 400, for example, is more than 60% nickel, with about 30% copper and around 2% each of iron and magnesium, plus a trace of silicon.

Prior to the 1970s, most acoustics used brass strings (often wrongly called "80/20 bronze).

Mellish · October 2021

I've tried MM12 on my HD28. She won't have it. MA140T or, if I can't get them, Elixir Nanoweb

DavidR · October 2021

Tannin said:

DavidR said:

Apologies for repetition but in threads about strings I usually add a plea for Monels!

I agree about the merits of Monel strings. They are in a sonic world all their own. However they have nothing to do with steel: Monel is an alloy of nickel and copper, mostly nickel, with a few traces of other metals added in. Monel 400, for example, is more than 60% nickel, with about 30% copper and around 2% each of iron and magnesium, plus a trace of silicon.

Prior to the 1970s, most acoustics used brass strings (often wrongly called "80/20 bronze).

Yes you're right, Monel not a steel.

Not sure about the rest though. Is anyone? It would be interesting to find some actual source details as to the popularity or otherwise with players of Monel and when it was first used by guitar folk for strings.

Here's an interesting article from StringsDirect. But even it doesn't define sources of info.

What are Monel strings? | Strings Direct

Tannin · October 2021

An interesting link, DavidR.

I go back to the days before phosphor bronze myself. I can remember the chap in the guitar shop telling me about these great new strings made out of new stuff called "phosphor bronze".

Most acoustic strings were brass in those days. There were just a few odd-bod ones. There were silver-grey ones which I think were called "nickels" (presumably Monel or something very like it), and flatwounds (also silver in colour), and silk and steels. Oh, and electric strings, of course, but I never paid much attention to electric strings.

DavidR · October 2021

Yes Tannin. I always called flat-wound "chromes" rightly or wrongly and only use/used them on archtops. Never tried silk ever.

The fascinating thing c.f. now is the extent to which so much of all this was done on a trial and error basis in the past with little advice from shops, chatrooms, music store assistants etc. I'm sure when I was young I got most of my info from a friend who was a little further down his guitar journey than I was. That was about it!

The last decade or two has been tremendous for access not only to advice but a wider spectrum of kit and instruments. I never stop learning.

stratntele · October 2021

I've been noticing that every brand seems to be discussed here except Ernie Ball?!?! Personally I've tried lots of different brands over the years including Elixirs, Martins & D'Addarios - but the ones that I keep coming back to are the Earthwood 80/20 Bronze Medium-Light sets. They seem to be well-balanced across all of the stings in tone & volume & that's for all of my acoustic guitars (Taylors, Guilds & vintage Gibsons).

I've also used their skinny top/heavy bottom sets on my electric guitars for decades too.

I'm not an Ernie Ball endorsee, just a happy customer...

more · October 2021

DavidR said:

Tannin said:

DavidR said:

Apologies for repetition but in threads about strings I usually add a plea for Monels!

I agree about the merits of Monel strings. They are in a sonic world all their own. However they have nothing to do with steel: Monel is an alloy of nickel and copper, mostly nickel, with a few traces of other metals added in. Monel 400, for example, is more than 60% nickel, with about 30% copper and around 2% each of iron and magnesium, plus a trace of silicon.

Prior to the 1970s, most acoustics used brass strings (often wrongly called "80/20 bronze).

Yes you're right, Monel not a steel.

Not sure about the rest though. Is anyone? It would be interesting to find some actual source details as to the popularity or otherwise with players of Monel and when it was first used by guitar folk for strings.

Here's an interesting article from StringsDirect. But even it doesn't define sources of info.

What are Monel strings? | Strings Direct

Up until the nineteen thirties most wound strings were silver plated steel or copper . You can still buy silver-plated copper strings with a nylon core.
It was Gibson that first offered Monel wound strings in 1937 . D'Addario had already introduced 80/20 Bronze wound strings when John D'Angelico develop electric strings , nickel plated steel . and were manufactured by D'Addario.
It became a popular idea , nickel wound for electric and bronze for acoustic . Monel would of been more expensive, so out of the three I would guess less popular.

Tannin · October 2021

Good info there More - but let's note that by "bronze" there we actually mean brass. Bronze strings didn't come along until the 1970s.

stickyfiddle · October 2021

stratntele said:

I've been noticing that every brand seems to be discussed here except Ernie Ball?!?! Personally I've tried lots of different brands over the years including Elixirs, Martins & D'Addarios - but the ones that I keep coming back to are the Earthwood 80/20 Bronze Medium-Light sets. They seem to be well-balanced across all of the stings in tone & volume & that's for all of my acoustic guitars (Taylors, Guilds & vintage Gibsons).

I've also used their skinny top/heavy bottom sets on my electric guitars for decades too.

I'm not an Ernie Ball endorsee, just a happy customer...

I did try some EBs on my HD28 in my previous string journey thread (Earthwounds, or something?). I don't recall being wowed but I might try the PBs this time around.

more · October 2021

Tannin said:

Good info there More - but let's note that by "bronze" there we actually mean brass. Bronze strings didn't come along until the 1970s.

80/20 Bronze is the name given to the strings by John D'Addario ,and the name is still on the packet . I would guess Brass doesn't sound so good and no sting manufacture have ever used the name .Phosphor Bronze came out in the seventies, a mix of copper and tin .

bertie · November 2021

Ive been around the proverbial string houses, came back to Lixy Nanos............ they're sort of the SM58 of acoustic stringery

ESBlonde · November 2021

Restring of my Atkinson essential D yesterday, I’ve gone to elixir but 11-52 with the idea to remind me what it had when I bought it.
tone wise it’s OK but I do find them uncomfortable to play compared to the Martin PBs I’ve been using. I’ll give it a couple of weeks/gigs and see how I feel then.

ESBlonde · December 2021

ESBlonde said:

Restring of my Atkinson essential D yesterday, I’ve gone to elixir but 11-52 with the idea to remind me what it had when I bought it.
tone wise it’s OK but I do find them uncomfortable to play compared to the Martin PBs I’ve been using. I’ll give it a couple of weeks/gigs and see how I feel then.

So after a couple of months I had a performance with the Atkin and the elixir strings made my finger tips sore even though I only played seven songs, I have recut the nut slots and tweaked the truss rod but not convinced it will stay this way for the gig NYE which is a long one.

wellsyboy · December 2021

Atkin LG47 here - I use Newtone Phosphor Bronze - love them

CoolCat · December 2021

I use ROTOSOUND 12's. They work well on my guitar.

Jimbro66 · December 2021

When I got my Atkin 9 years ago it came with Elixir strings and although I’ve tried other brands briefly over the years I’ve always come back to the Elixirs. On an Atkin they just seem to strike the right balance between warmth and sparkle, and longevity of course.

I’m still watching this thread with interest though as Elixir have become very pricey so a lower cost but good-sounding alternative could be worth a try.

stickyfiddle · December 2021

Jimbro66 said:

When I got my Atkin 9 years ago it came with Elixir strings and although I’ve tried other brands briefly over the years I’ve always come back to the Elixirs. On an Atkin they just seem to strike the right balance between warmth and sparkle, and longevity of course.

I’m still watching this thread with interest though as Elixir have become very pricey so a lower cost but good-sounding alternative could be worth a try.

Yeah I've enjoyed the elixirs I have on mine at the moment. They're starting to get furry on the A and D strings so will change for something else when I'm home after xmas.

boogieman · December 2021

Tried Martin Retros on my Martin OM18 but they went completely dead after a few weeks… no zing or projection to them at all. I’m now on Newtone Heritage 12s and so far they’re really good.

Btw, I HATE coated strings, especially on acoustics.

bluecat · January 2022

After using most other brands of string,I came across Ernie Ball Earthwood rock and blues for my Tanglewood and have stayed with them ever since.
I told my German friend in Cologne about them,he tried them on his Martin and he thought they were fantastic.

TINMAN82 · January 2022

As far as expensive strings go, the 2 sets a I’ve found really worthwhile arnt acoustic strings.

Thomastik Infeld Jazz Swing flats for archtops are a clear step above Chromes in both tone and feel.

Ernie Ball Paradigm are not audibly different to slinkies (to my ears) but they don’t break…so far anyway…and seem to last longer.

Standard, core price acoustic strings are fine imo, as long as properly matched to the guitar. I’m currently using £7.99 Clapton signature Martins on my Martin 00028ec and they sound great. Don’t like Elixir at all.

Mellish · January 2022

My 2019 HD-28 loves Martin MA140 80/20 in 12s. If I can't get those, Elixir 80/20 will do. I've tried DR, Newtone, Thomastik, Gibson, D'Addario, Pyramid, Ernie Ball, Rotosound, Cleartone - you name it - but I keep coming back to those two

BigPaulie · January 2022

TINMAN82 said:

As far as expensive strings go, the 2 sets a I’ve found really worthwhile arnt acoustic strings.

Thomastik Infeld Jazz Swing flats for archtops are a clear step above Chromes in both tone and feel.

Ernie Ball Paradigm are not audibly different to slinkies (to my ears) but they don’t break…so far anyway…and seem to last longer.

Standard, core price acoustic strings are fine imo, as long as properly matched to the guitar. I’m currently using £7.99 Clapton signature Martins on my Martin 00028ec and they sound great. Don’t like Elixir at all.

I put Paradigms on my son's acoustic. He takes great care of his guitars, and I was disappointed to discover that they lasted no longer than uncoated strings.

I had EB Everlasts on my guitar at the same time and made the same observation.

I'll never put another set of EB strings on an acoustic guitar.

I keep coming back to Elixirs. String longevity is very high on my priorities list when selecting guitar strings. I also like the feel of Elixirs and appreciate the reduced string noise (especially on acoustic). I do perceive them to be a little "stiffer" than the equivalent gauge of EB strings. Monels felt more compliant, but they were so much quieter than 80/20s and squeaked like a MF. I've never had a set of D'addarios that I've considered to be any more than adequate. DR Veritas sounded nice, but died within 4 weeks (I can get 4 months from Elixirs before the tone starts to suffer, and 6 months before a string change becomes urgent). Dragon Skins were good, but only available in PB. The search for the perfect string continues.

stickyfiddle · January 2022

After about 3 months of elixirs they were getting furry so time for change.

Just put some D'addario XTs (PB 12s) on the Atkin 47. Initial impressions are very good. They feel less slippy than Elixir nanos, and the tone seems well balanced and a little less plinky than those elixirs. Will see how long they hold up but so far they seem well suited.

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Acoustic Strings, round 2

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