Acoustic Strings, round 2

Tannin · January 2022

@BigPaulie I'm not a big Elixir fan, though I do use them for some things. I've tried a lot of different strings over the last couple of years, but reading your reasons to prefer Elixirs, I can't see any reason why you should buy anything else. They last as long as any string and longer than most, they have extremely low string noise (roughly equal to D'Addario Flat Tops, outperformed only by flat wounds), and if you like that peculiar soapy Elixir feel, then you have nothing to gain by trying other brands. No other string I've ever heard of does the Elixir things as well as Elixir does the Elixir things.

(And yes, they tend to be a little stiff. I like to think of Elixir 12s as "12-and-a-bit gauge" and Elixir 11s as more like an "11.5". That's not really a criticism, just something to be aware of.)

stickyfiddle · February 2022

10 day update. I really like the D'ad XTs on the little Atkin. Lots of sweet midrange but not muddy. The only thing I'm less fond of is that they're rather squeaky when you move up and down the neck. Will see if that remains as they get older.

BigPaulie · February 2022

I've just put a set of Roto Nexus 12s on my Martin D-16GT as I was finding the strummed sound of Elixir 80/20 a bit bright after fitting a bone saddle. It was really only the strummed sound that was unbalanced. When flatpicked it sounded great. The attack on the wound strings was clear and strident: almost piano-like. You could really hear the "p" of the "pluck". Just the way a big dreadnought box should sound.

My reason for choosing Roto Nexus is that I like to try new things and only use coated strings. I also hate D'addarios (yet to try XS though).

First impressions are that they sound more balanced when strummed and don't get shouty or obnoxious, no matter how hard I hit them. However, the attack on the wound strings has all but gone. When I hit individual strings I don't hear the "p" of the "pluck". There's no percussive snap. I need the best of both worlds. What should I try short of having a strumming guitar and a picking guitar?

Tannin · February 2022

I put a set of Rotosound Nexus 12s on my Maton Messiah in August. They are still on it, which speaks to their longevity, and also says something about their playability. Good strings.

(I don't use picks so no opinion on luck vs pluck.

)

stickyfiddle · May 2022

Update time. D'addario XTs are dead. I'm not 100% sure if it's also partly that my new dread has clean strings and sounds massive in comparison to the Atkin, but I assume a combination of that and dead strings. They're also still quite squeaky.

Santa Cruz Parabolics (low tension set) are now on, and they're rather lovely. On one hand that's a shame as they're not cheap, but never mind.. Will see how they last, and try a set on the new Bourgeois at some point too

Mellish · May 2022

Never tried Santa Cruz strings on any guitar but I've been meaning to.

This Dove hates Martin MA140 (my HD-28 loved 'em) and EJ16 sound thin.

I'm searching again to find what strings work on this new guitar

MSedg · May 2022

I’ve been reading about the Santa Cruz strings today having been on a similar journey. Where the best place to get them in UK? Strings Direct is my usual haunt but don’t seem to carry them.

Mellish · May 2022

@MSedg ; - not sure about best place but I'd say find one that shifts strings quickly rather than, say, a small store tucked away somewhere.

I've had very different EJ16s and I don't think it's down to D'Addario but rather old stock in stores v new

artiebear · May 2022

Mellish said:

@MSedg ; - not sure about best place but I'd say find one that shifts strings quickly rather than, say, a small store tucked away somewhere.

I've had very different EJ16s and I don't think it's down to D'Addario but rather old stock in stores v new

Buying one or two sets at a time, that would seem to be pretty sage advice. Having said that as a "by the box" user of D'Addario strings ( especially when touring or doing studio work ), I have found that over the last few years the variability from string to string/set to set has grown, for some reason more with EJ16'S than EJ17's. Sometimes they are great for a whole set, sometimes there is more than one weak string in the pack.

I still, for the most part, use them on everything, being a constant factor across a lot of guitars I use. So far I haven't loved most long life strings I have tried and stuck with the EJ's ( | they don't stay on that long when I'm playing a lot ), until I got a heap of Lowden strings along with a new guitar from them. On that guitar they are great, but tried some on my Sobell and went straight back to the EJ's .

Mellish · May 2022

@artiebear ; - that's what I did when I found the perfect strings for my HD-28, bought by the box (10 sets).

With a new guitar though, like my Gibson Dove Original, I'm finding out what strings suit, so I'm cautious and buying sets singly or two at most

Tannin · May 2022

MSedg said:

I’ve been reading about the Santa Cruz strings today having been on a similar journey. Where the best place to get them in UK? Strings Direct is my usual haunt but don’t seem to carry them.

Probably Strings by Mail. http://stringsbymail.com Prompt service and very reasonable prices - much better than any UK dealer I know of. Even after you pay some extortion to the border control people, you'll still be well in front.

artiebear · May 2022

Mellish said:

@artiebear ; - that's what I did when I found the perfect strings for my HD-28, bought by the box (10 sets).

With a new guitar though, like my Gibson Dove Original, I'm finding out what strings suit, so I'm cautious and buying sets singly or two at most

I agree with your caution. What works on a Martin can be so off on a Gibson. I like a nice bright big tone on a Martin, but always prefer something sweeter on a corresponding Gibson.

Gomers · May 2022

Have to say I'm totally on board with Martin Retros 12's on my 000-15, very nice to the touch, very mellow and with less tension than similar gauge strings from other makers. I did try them on a 000-28 and they didn't work for me but think that may have been the guitar more than the strings.

Going to try them on my LL-500 as it's a brighter guitar than a rosewood Martin.

stickyfiddle · May 2022

Gomers said:

Have to say I'm totally on board with Martin Retros 12's on my 000-15, very nice to the touch, very mellow and with less tension than similar gauge strings from other makers. I did try them on a 000-28 and they didn't work for me but think that may have been the guitar more than the strings.

Going to try them on my LL-500 as it's a brighter guitar than a rosewood Martin.

Yeah, I do think they're great strings for the right guitar. And the right guitar seems to involve anything with those classic spruce + rosewood/mahogany combinations.

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

Acoustic Strings, round 2

Comments