JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Guitars and Guitarist Forum Best Guitar Strings?

I own an acoustic steel string guitar that's ready for a new set of strings. I think it came with Elixir and it now has D'Addario. I believe the Elixir gave it a better sound, but I'm not sure. Right now I want a good sound, but I'm more interested in preserving my fingertips, which hurt quite a bit from playing.

Any recommendations? Something that sounds good and is easy to play?

Thanks.

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Nanette
wordsofpassion.com

Different guitars play better with different strings. Stay within the guages recommended for your guitar and try several out. I like Guilds on my '68 Yamaha FG150. The Elixers work great on my Ovation. On my old Martin D28 I used whatever was on sale.

The Elixirs are about as easy on the fingers as you'll find. D'Addario has some "coated" strings out as well, I personally didn't find them as good. Different guitars are going to play and sound better with different guages and such. It's really trial and error and personal tastes that will dictate which set is best for you. Taylors' come with Elixirs' on them, but I've heard and talked to players that just don't like the "Feel." So, it's really up to you the D'addario EJ-16 12-53 sets are a pretty good all around acoustic sting set. Try em' they're pretty cheap and take a lickin' and keep on pickin'. Best Regards, TJ

Thanks Mike and TJ:

I appreciate the info. I think I'll give the Elixirs another try and I'll do some research into what's supposed to work with my guitar.

Best regards,

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Nanette
wordsofpassion.com

i agree elixir and the coated d'adario's will help your fingers and they last a little longer too so you don't have to change them as often. but they make up for that at the cash register.
keep pickin'
jt

Hi JT:

Thanks for your comments. Actually, I don't find the Elixir strings that expensive. $12.99 a set doesn't seem too much to pay, especially when you're outfitting a good instrument.

I just did some price checking on the web and came across a mention of the different guitar brands that use them, and got confirmation that is indeed what was on my guitar at the beginning. So it looks like I'm going back to the roots.


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Nanette
wordsofpassion.com

I actually prefer Dean Markley PhosBronze myself. Very warm sounding strings with a good tone to them, not brittle like the Blue Steel Acoustics.

I personally didn't care for the Elixirs that came on my Taylor. I prefer to keep the string tone without covering it up with a coating. Plus they don't feel good to me.

Jody

Hi Jody:

Thanks. I'll keep those in mind for when my fingers toughen up. Right now I need all the coating I can get.

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Nanette
wordsofpassion.com

Nanette,

I think I've tried alot of different strings and I have to agree with the earlier posts.
Elixirs are the best for me. I tried other
coated strings such as DM but nothing compares to Elixir. I don't think I'll buy any thing else but them again.

David
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/daviddouglaswright_music.htm

Hi David:

Thanks for your vote. I finally did a search on guitar strings and it seems that Breedlove puts Elixir strings on their guitars. I think they're still going to hurt my fingers but I did like the quality of the strings - great tone and they seemed to last for a long time.

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Nanette
wordsofpassion.com

Nanette,

If the strings are hurting your fingers you may want to look at lowering the action.
Don't try this yourself though. Take it to
a guitar shop where they can adjust the bridge lower with the neck. This will bring
the strings lower to the frets. It is a matter of preference how low you put the action. I personally have mine a little
high so there is no string buzz on the frets.
Of course the lower the easier it is on your fingers. Also lighter strings are little easier on the fingers too. I wouldnt do this
yourself unless you know alot about Guitar
sound. A bad setup can lead to bad sound.

Good luck,

David

David:

Got the Elixirs put on today - the "Light" variety. I haven't played them much yet, but I can already tell that the sound quality (tone) has improved dramatically. Or it reminds me of how it sounded when I bought the guitar. I have a Breedlove guitar - don't know how much adjusting you can do with the neck and bridge, but I'll certainly check that out. Thanks for all the advice.

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Nanette
wordsofpassion.com

And as an additional note - one thing I always do is put the empty string packet label inside the guitar case. If I really like the way that gauge and brand works, I'll know exactly what to buy the next time. This is very useful if you play lots of instruments, and can't remember which brand/set you like best for which instrument.

Nanette,

I'm with Dave...Elixir's are the best I've tried. There's no question in my mind they hold a good tone longer than others, so that, in addition to their "slippery" quality, is worth paying 50-75% more than what average strings cost...to me, anyway.

In the $8 range I always favored Adamas, but now I'm spoiled.

Chris

Nanette,
Yep ..elixirs it is..I prefer #11 elixirs with the polyweb coating...they cost 15 bucks a set, but they are worth every penny. They feel good and they last longer....I tried Dean Markleys 3 times and all 3 times as soon as I had restrung my guitar, they snapped right out ....I use ernie ball super slinky #9's for my electric...(they are cheapies, but they feel like butter on my finger tips)..

[This message has been edited by Melissa (edited 10-10-2002).]

Having multiple guitars, I use multiple string types. Its all a question of experimenting and finding the ones that sound and feel best to you on a particular instrument. Luckily, for those of us who are picky, there are a lot more choices (manufacturers, string composition, and guages) out today. 20 years ago, I used to buy multiple sets and mix them to get the string guages I wanted.

For someone new to the guitar the choices can be overwhelming, particularly when you realize that changing string types can mean adjustments to the set-up can be required. Different guage strings place different amounts of stress on the neck and this can change the amount of bow in the neck resulting in a change in the action (height of strings relative to the fretboard). Coated strings like the Elixirs can be easier on the fingers because the coating smooths out the string surface and there is a little less friction between the string and the skin. To me they seem to deaden the tone so I don't use them.

Starting with what the manufacturer recommends is a good reference, and assuming the company and store did their job, that is what the guitar has been set-up for. You should realize that manufacturer's selection is also driven by marketing efforts on the part of the string companies, or whether the guitar manufacturer also owns a string company. For the string company, getting your strings on the instrument when it was first sold is a good way to get the buyer to come back for more and makes sense as a "loss leader".

I like Dean Markeley strings and had that problem of snapping strings once - seemed like the problem was most likely overwound ball ends. The strings just snapped right at the bridge before being tightened to pitch. I've purchased hundreds of their sets over the years and that one time seems to have been an abnormality. I did send the defective batch back to DM and they sent back a bunch of replacements and a nice apology letter.

Anyway - to answer the original question - the best strings are the ones that feel and sound good to you on your guitar. So experiment. Once you've found the type you like, stick with it and change them often. They always sound and feel best when they're new. Wiping them down immediately after playing to remove the sweat and dirt that accumulates keeps them that way longer.


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Marty Helly

Tnias - rock n roll with an acoustic heart and a bass ackwards soul!

Is there a setting on the digital delay that will allow me to think before I speak?

[This message has been edited by Marty Helly (edited 10-11-2002).]

I apologize for falling behind on my replies. The response has been slightly overwhelming.

Tom: Per your suggestion, I've kept the box from the Elixir strings I just got. Thanks for the idea.

Chris: I agree. I love the tone. It makes the insrument sound very bright, one of the reasons I fell in love with it.

Melissa: Thanks for the tip on the electric strings. There may be an electric guitar in my future. (But I'm not holding my breath.)

Marty: I can see the wisdom in using multiple string types for different guitars. It seems I was mistaken about the factory putting Elixirs on the guitar. It came with D'Addarios and the guitar store put Elixirs on it. But I still do like the sound.


I am having some trouble with the strings buzzing. I know I'm a beginner and I don't press down on the strings in a consistent manner. In fact, I'm trying to press as lightly as possible so I don't tear up my fingers, which could be the cause of the buzzing. I've had the guitar checked twice now singce the restringing and I've been told it's just fine. It may just be that I need to get used to the new strings. Is it my playing?

Thank you all so much for the valuable information.

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Nanette
wordsofpassion.com

Another vote for the Elixir Polywebs...not that impressed with the Nano-webs...

When the Polywebs aren't available, D'Addarios and John Pearse Phos. Bronze sound good on all my guitars, as well, but I really like how long the Poly-webs last for me.

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"Legalize Freedom!"

Thought for the day: To be loved deeply gives one strength; to love another deeply gives one courage - Lao Tzu

Terry:

Thanks for your vote. I'll try the John Pearse strings when I get adventurous.

Take care,
Nanette

Another Breedlove owner huh? What model did you buy Nanette?

On strings - I change mine weekly, I play between 3-8 hours a day. I like Martins bronze series. Mediums on the 6, and Lights on my Breedlove XII.

I live in Switzerland for the moment and they are pretty much the selection. But I would not pay 2x the price for elixers, I don't like the sound when they wear down and the feel was just too wierd.

Anyways like so many others have said above me - it's personal so try different brands and see what you like best. Size, shapes, and coated or non-coated.

Cheers,
tm

Looks like this thread needs more variation. (teehee). I like the Elixer Nanowebs better than the Polywebs, and I like D'Addario EXP 17-s better than anything in the coated arena. My hands are rather acidic, and my Polyweb Elixers became very disturbing in short time as the coating wore off, leaving a funky fuzz all over the strings. I also had breakage problems with the Elixers, and it's a real bummer when you break one of those high-dollar strings.
When this happens, I found D'Addario Flat-tops to be a fairly decent replacement string, avoiding replacement of the entire set.
Right now I'm trying D'Aquisto Tony Rice Series strings out of simple curiosity. They are nickel round wound strings, no coatings.
Just put them on yesterday and like them thus far. Definitely a change from the coated strings though.
My next test will be on SIT 'Silencers' ...80/20, non-coated.
I'll keep ya posted
-GaryP

Nanette,
Best-sounding and longest-lasting strings I've found [yet] are Martin SP's.
Everything else just seems to go dead and dull very quickly under my brutal touch and the demonic chemistry of my sweat glands.
Thas all....

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Ozone
http://www.mp3.com/OzonePete

I liked the elixir sound best, but snapped at least a string a week (both light and medium) doing fingerstyle on a Taylor 814. Unacceptable.

So far, I'm with you. I switched to SP's (and am currently experimenting with SP+) and while not as bright-sounding, they RARELY break.

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http://brucegoldish.com

The Martin SP Golds made my modest Yamaha F-314 sound very good. "It's alive"!

I also had Elixir, but found the Martins to stay great sounding longer.

John

If I may toss my .02 in the ring. I've had exceptional success using DR Strings. I use the Rare Phosphor Bronze in .010 and .011 gauges. They are a buck or so more expensive than Martin SP & most other strings but cheaper than the d'Addario ESP & Elixir strings are. I've also gained tremendously in longivity while keeping a very nice tone and sustain on ALL my acoustics. I Have them on an old Yamaha FG150, a FG411S, a Guild D4, and, additionally, I play them on a 12 string, a resonator and a mandolin.

I broke ONE high E string during stringup and they sent out a half dozen replacements. Other than that, in 3 years, or so, of using DRs I've only broken three or four high E & one G string.

I can't say enough good about them.

There are only a handful of companies that actually manufacture strings. I've seen several string brands with coated strings, so there's a good chance they're all coming from the same factory and private labeled. I wouldn't worry about the name on the package so much as what kind of strings they are.

For instance, Phosphor bronze is a copper/tin alloy, making them sound a bit brighter. Different alloys will have different tones. Bronze, steel, etc...

For a "softer" string, I've always used Martin "Silk 'n' Steel" over any coated variety. Good tone and reasonably easy on the fingertips. But I'll only put these on when I haven't played for a month or two and my callouses have softened up... And of course, building up callouses will help.

Back to the tone question - it's going to depend on the guitar and your ears as to which strings work the best for you.

Re: longevity... I knew a guy whose sweat literally ate up strings. I don't know if it was something in his diet or what, but he'd go through him real quick. Basically, you change them as often as you need to. When I was playing four gigs every weekend and practicing four hours a day every day, I'd change my strings once a week. If I only play a few hours a week, I might not change them for months.

If you live in a humid climate, you may have to change them more often too...

Re: breaking strings - 99% of the times a string breaks it is NOT the fault of the string itself. It may be a sharp angle where the string crosses the bridge or nut - it may be the string is pinched in the nut so that tuning creates some additional stress (if you hear that high pitched "kink" noise when you're tuning a string, you should see about having the nut dressed).

Build up those callouses and don't worry too much about getting 'comfortable' strings. Find the metallic mix that gets the tone you want.

hobes

Oh! The heavier the gauge, the better the tone. When I was playing out all the time and practicing heavy I was using .012's on my electric and bending them all over the place. .009's sound like rubber bands in comparison. I'll usually try to go with .011's on both my acoustics and electrics to try to keep some 'feel' consistency when I switch from one to the other.

And then of course if you're setting the guitar up for slide work, you'll want them really heavy duty strings so you can 'bounce' every once in a while...

ramblerambleramble

Nice post.

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http://brucegoldish.com

In follow-up to my previous post, I have now tried the "Tony Rice Series" of D'Aquisto strings.(medium guage) I DID like them! I would suggest if you have a radical playing style or a heavy hand that you might enjoy them.
They seem to have a fatter feel, great low end, perhaps not quite as much ring to them initially as some other strings.(you may consider that good or bad).
I only had them on the guitar for a couple weeks, had an invitation to a jam session and felt I'd best freshen the strings up up so's to sound as good as possible in front of strangers. After replacing them with a different brand, I kinda felt the desire to have them back on the guitar, but that notion was a bit exhausting at the time.
I will definitely use them again.
My next string change will be to the SIT Silencers, for a trial run. Back soon
-Gary

One more opinion for the bucket. I've been playing guitar for 25 years, and my favorite strings are Elixir Nanoweb. I tried the Polywebs when they first came out, but found the Nanowebs had a more natural "uncoated" sound and a great feel. Runner up: Dean Markley phos/bronze or vintage. I've learned that strings sound different on different guitars. If you're not happy with your current strings, try a different size, material, or type of construction.

I use Elixir Polys...just got a Taylor, and it came with Elixir Nanowebs--I don't like the tone as much, so I will switch back to my Polys, that is, when the !#** Nanos finally wear out!!

I've also liked Tomastik-Infelds--they are harder to find, not cheap, but they have wonderful tone...come from Europe.

I've used Gibson, Martin and GHS Strings all my life. It just depended on what was in stock and what I could afford.

Gazoo

OH!
Forgot to mention a "longevity" helper here.
that "Fast Fret" stuff from ghs really does help a big bunch! Applied [and wiped down] before and after every playing session helps to clean off your personal leavings from the strings. Plus, it makes playing slippery fun with a lot less of that nasty "squeaking" going on. I know a LOT of guitar players who'd never heard of it, but once they tried some, they LOVED it.
(I've had the same "stick" of this stuff for about 5 years now... very cheap little helper for your strings!)

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Ozone
http://www.mp3.com/OzonePete

i can deaden uncoated strings in half a gig,.i tried all the coated clones but still they went dull as inbetween the windings wasent protected and so allowed the grime to get in,.this is why i continue to use elixir phospher bronze nanos,.but i have a big 3rd problem ,.they break [new set]on the first gig,.then i have to replace with an uncovered standard 3rd and these cheaper strings dont break but get corroded very easy, .even if i replace with an elixir 3rd it will break either before the end of gig or on the next gig,.on both of my acoustics,,.my guitars are always in good setup conditiion,.the 3rds break at different parts along the string,.so its not the setup,.but why dont the cheaper brand uncovered 3rds not break?,i use nanoweb lights and mediums,.im in love with elixir but hate the 3rd problem,..cheers,dobrocop.

Hi All,
When replacing strings I make sure the string isn't bound up and wind the string from top to bottom wrapping closer to the head stock as I install a string. Usually a few turns will hold the string. As noted above you may want to try a few different strings to see what you like. Guitar Makers will recommend strings and guages for the guitar. Heaver Guages will not sound as bright as lighter strings. After some trial and error I settled on Martin M-170 Extra Light Strings, 80/20 Bronze on my Acoustic Guitars.