What acoustic strings / gauges do you recommend?

Chuffola · August 2020

I changed the stings on my Eastman E2-OM to Ernie Ball Earthwoods and I don't like 'em! I'm not 100% sure what was on there previously - whatever they come with but they were nice - and I appreciate the Earthwoods are relatively new (couple of weeks, played for about an hour every day).

Likely to be very much a taste situation, I know, but any good recommendations - brands and gauges guidance welcomed!

earwighoney · August 2020

I think the Eastmans come stock with D'Addario EXP16's, which are their coated Phosphor Bronze strings.

IMO, for any new guitar I'd recommend using the strings you are most familiar with, but if they aren't sounding pleasing to your ears I'd recommend either one of D'Addario's standard set of PB or 80/20 12-53 strings.

ICBM · August 2020

What don't you like about them - too bright and tinny? If so that's a characteristic of 80/20 bronze.

If so try anything phosphor bronze - they sound warmer and fuller. For standard off-the shelf brands I like D'Addarios best - but I am a big fan of Newtone, which are made in the UK by a small company and will do custom gauges and options if you want... although if you're asking for advice on gauges I assume you don't yet have any preferences!

I use the Newtone Masterclass Phosphor Bronze 12-52, they have lower tension than most standard sets of 12s and seem to last a very long time, as well as sounding great out of the packet.

I also like DR Rare, but they're a bit more expensive.

malcolmkindness · August 2020

Newtone Masterclass phosphor bronze 12-54 are my strings of choice.

Chuffola · August 2020

Thanks chaps. Phosphor Bronze could be the very thing especially if that's what they came with. Definitely prefer a warmer sound. Gauges are a personal preference of course but 12 to 50-something are what I'm used to. I'll check out options as suggested. Cheers.

more · August 2020

I would suggest you work your way upwards . Start with something like a basic set of Martins , about £5 .00 . It is possible that they will be OK ,but if not why not ?

drofluf · August 2020

Newtone 12's or 13's depending on what's in stock. As other's have said great tome out of the packet and they last well

MichaelWatts · August 2020

I use Elixir and have done for 20 years. My choice is 12-53 PB across all my acoustics

artiebear · August 2020

I never use anything but D'Addario EJ PB strings. I get through boxes and boxes of 12's and 13's, they are always consistent in terms of performance, feel and tone whichever guitars I am using at the time.

Jalapeno · August 2020

Always found new Eathwoods aren't new for long, they clog up - and the bronze stains your fingers.

I know Elixirs are a bit marmite, but I agree with @MichaelWatts 12s. D'Addario Gypsy 10s on Maccaferri style though - not as shrill as Argentines or Gallis but last a whole lot longer and keep their tone.

shufflebeat · August 2020

This is a difficult one because there are many variables, including the chemistry of your own body, I know folks who seem to kill PB strings on contact.

I used to use d'Addario ej17 sets on my Tak ef360s (non TT) but then I bought an ef341sc which prefers the bluegrass set with a slightly lighter 1/2 but retains the heavier 5/6.

On a Crafter I tried all of them and eventually discovered Nickel Bronze strings which are beautiful to fingerpick but get "clacky" when played hard.

Kilgore · August 2020

D'Addario PB 12-53 on spruce tops.

I really like 80/20 bronze on Mahogany tops. (90% Fingerpicking)

malcolmkindness · August 2020

As far as gauge is concerned, it depends on the guitar. I use 13's on a drednaught, 11's on a small bodied Martin authentic and 12's on everything else. I usually use Newtone masterclass or John Pearse.

lincolnblue · August 2020

I use both Elixir Nanoweb 11s and D'Addario EXP16. I like the coated strings for longevity but I have heard good things about Newtone so if you don't like coated (I don't think they do coated strings?) maybe give them a try.

Lestratcaster · August 2020

I use the Elixir phosphors too on acoustics, they last ages and have a nice bright tone. Can get that nice jangly strummy sound when doing open chords.

Longtallronnie · August 2020

I've always used Elixir 80/20s on my Faith Saturn, never really given other materials a thought. How do the phosphor bronze ones differ?

Stuckfast · August 2020

malcolmkindness said:

As far as gauge is concerned, it depends on the guitar. I use 13's on a drednaught, 11's on a small bodied Martin authentic and 12's on everything else. I usually use Newtone masterclass or John Pearse.

That's true but it's the other way around for me. My dreadnought is best with 12s but I have an ancient parlour guitar that really needs 13s, the difference is surprisingly dramatic.

ICBM · August 2020

Longtallronnie said:

I've always used Elixir 80/20s on my Faith Saturn, never really given other materials a thought. How do the phosphor bronze ones differ?

Warmer and fuller-sounding.

Longtallronnie · August 2020

ICBM said:

Longtallronnie said:

I've always used Elixir 80/20s on my Faith Saturn, never really given other materials a thought. How do the phosphor bronze ones differ?

Warmer and fuller-sounding.

Cheers, will give em a go next string change.

Amigo · August 2020

Sorry to barge in, I am trying to make sense of the pricing of coated PB strings. Right now, on Amazon, D'Addario EXP16 strings are £29.99, but Elixir 92/8 PB Nanoweb Lights are £14.30. Last time I bought Elixir strings a few years ago they were more expensive than the D'Addarios, now the D'Addarios are double the price of Elixirs. What am I missing here? Have D'Addario added Unobtainium to their strings?

thermionic · August 2020

I thought the D’Addario EXP were discontinued and replaced by XT?

ToneControl · August 2020

Elixir 11s
For me the reduction of squeaking is worth it alone.
Also, I personally hate the over-bright non-coated string sound for the first few days, then the horrible dull strings not too long afterwards. I find there is a quite short window in which they sound good.

If you have more than 3 guitars, it's Tedious. time-consuming and expensive to keep replacing strings, especially for guitars that are played less frequently

Some manufacturers fit Elixirs as standard

ToneControl · August 2020

Longtallronnie said:

ICBM said:

Longtallronnie said:

I've always used Elixir 80/20s on my Faith Saturn, never really given other materials a thought. How do the phosphor bronze ones differ?

Warmer and fuller-sounding.

Cheers, will give em a go next string change.

80/20 are brighter (more trebly), you'd use them if you had a guitar that lacked high end when used with the more typical PB strings

ICBM · August 2020

ToneControl said:

Elixir 11s
For me the reduction of squeaking is worth it alone.

Also, I personally hate the over-bright non-coated string sound for the first few days, then the horrible dull strings not too long afterwards. I find there is a quite short window in which they sound good.

That's why I like Newtones - they don't have that new-string zing, and they last a long time before they go dull.

My problem with Elixirs is that I don't like the sound of them at any point, and I hate the slippery feel. I just don't like coated strings at all really - they never seem to sound or feel right to me. DR Dragon Skins are the only ones I can stand, and even they feel odd at first.

I especially hate when they go 'furry' where they wear at the frets or where you pick - that means they have to come off straight away, it's not even like uncoated strings where you can get away with cleaning them if you have to get a little more time out of them.

Amigo · August 2020

Just out of curiousity, how does one go about buying Newtone strings? They seem to be out of stock everywhere, including from Newtone Strings themselves

Is it that because of the COVID situation they stopped manufacturing?

Stratavarious · August 2020

Common and cheap Martin 12-54, Phosphor Bronze for my full size acoustics. I never got on with coated strings.

Strings all change dramatically over first few days. Judge ‘em after a week or two.

stickyfiddle · August 2020

I like the feel of Elixirs and still use them on electrics but they sound rubbish on a good acoustic.

I’ve tried a bunch of things on my HD28 over the last few years - big thread here: https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/112616/acoustic-strings-a-journey/

I’m currently using Martin Retro 12s and enjoying them very much. They seem to be lasting very well, being made of “Monel” alloy (mostly nickel and copper apparently) rather than the usual 80/20 or phosphor bronze.

drofluf · August 2020

Amigo said:

Just out of curiousity, how does one go about buying Newtone strings? They seem to be out of stock everywhere, including from Newtone Strings themselves Is it that because of the COVID situation they stopped manufacturing?

I usually buy from Newtone directly. They’re quite a small operation and during the worse of COVID it was only the owner in so I suspect stocks are a little depleted at the moment.

TrevinDevon · August 2020

Newtone make to order, I think. Usually takes a couple of weeks if you buy direct. You just need to plan ahead.

drofluf · August 2020

TrevinDevon said:

Newtone make to order, I think. Usually takes a couple of weeks if you buy direct. You just need to plan ahead.

I think they try to keep some standard sets in stock; I’ve had some sent next day a couple of weeks whereas the custom sets are made to order.

Amigo · September 2020

Is it just me, or do the D'Addario EXP strings sound dull compared to their standard uncoated strings? Even after a week on. The latter though oxidised very quickly in the wet weather we had in August.

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What acoustic strings / gauges do you recommend?

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