Best Strings for Martin?
 

My apologies if this has been asked / answered. There was a recent thread that said Elixir strings were not a great match for a Martin.

The seller put Elixir strings on my newly aquired '93 Guild D6, which seem to work fine.

I bought another set of Elixir strings and was about to put them on my Martin. Now having second thoughts.

Forum opinions will be valued. What are the best strings for my D-35?

Those are some mighty nice guitars for a guy that has a question like this one...but,..."opinions are like..."...you know the rest.

Elixirs are what they are...either you like them or you don't. sometimes I do, sometimes I don't....I feel that way about MOST strings though.

I prefer D'addario EXP's for coated strings, myself...pb,s on spruce tops and 80/20's on Mahogany tops..

I also like Guild pb's on OM and OOO types.

All of this is subject to change with my mood, the weather and the best price I can get at any given time..;)

FWIW, the wind just blew in from the S.W. and I put some Elixir 80/20 polys on my Gitane D-50 and really like them......................


today...:)

As the owner of a D-35 and a few other Martins I use Dr Sunbeams on all of them, second choice Martin SP 4200's.

And yes most Martin owners (check on UMGF) are not fans of any coated strings on Martins, I am in that group too.

Strings are cheap. Try a bunch of sets over the next few months and see what you like the best.

:D:D:D....most ANY Martin owner will tell ANY player that there is NOTHING like a brand new set of medium Martin Marquis' on any dread, too.....for a couple hours, anyway....;)

Actually they would say SP's not Marquis, but I agree both do not last very long which is why a LOT of folks have switched to Sunbeams, but to each his own, play what makes you happy. :);)

Hi Tunes,

Welcome to the forum. I have owned a '67 D-35 for about 40 years. Here are a few thoughts on strings:

- I am currently using DR Sunbeams (-013) based on Rich's recommendations and they sound very good. They are almost as easy to play as light gauge strings.
- I have used Elixer light and mediums and I thought they both sounded OK, but I'm not a huge fan of Elixer strings.
- Most of my life with this guitar I have used D'Addario light PB strings. They still sound good to me, but don't have quite the volume and sparkle of medium strings.
- I am not a fan of medium strings for the fingerstyle playing I generally use. The DR Sunbeam medium-heavy (-013) are the only "medium" gauge strings I have been able to accept for playability.
- I have used a lot of Martin Marquis PB and 80/20 bronze light gauge strings and think they all sound fine, though they don't last terribly long.
- I like Martin SP strings a lot. I have used light gauge.
- The only strings I have used on the D-35 where I was deeply disappointed in the sound was a set of Cleartone light gauge strings. The guitar lost all its bass character. They stayed on my guitar for about 5 minutes. However, I have used Cleartones on some of my other guitars and they are OK there.

In other words, the world of strings is wide open to you with the D-35. I wouldn't hesitate to put the Elixers on it since you've already spent the money. But you might consider a set of DR Sunbeams: http://www.juststrings.com/drs-rca-13.html When I put these on, my wife commented that after 40 years it was like having a new guitar. I also have the DR Sunbeam (-013) on my Gibson AJ and my Taylor GS8 -- all sound amazingly good with these strings.

Have fun! Glenn

Thanks!
 

I do have an eye for good guitars (much to my better half's chagrin), but still learning how to play them to the level they deserve! I am of the opinion you can always learn something new if you are open to it.

Clearly the current Martin strings will stay on the Martin, and I will definitely pick up some DR Sunbeam and give 'em a whirl.

Thanks for the posts. Great forum.

P.S. Tried to get on the Guild forum for fun... but no luck. Maybe my next post will be to flush out those Guild enthusiasts in the crowd.

I put the factory strings on my guitars unless I'm looking for a different sound. If you liked the strings/sound that came on your Martin guitar - replace them with the factory provided Martin strings.

+1 to the Sunbeams. I have used them on different models from Martin & Larrivee and they are (were) good on all of them. Go by the diameter of the sets and not the labeling (med, light etc...)

Wind them with care and crimp per the directions because round core strings are a bit different.

The other strings I like on my Martins are D'Addario EJ and EXP and the Martin Marquis PB (not SP versions).

I say just try some and have fun.

Exactly. I prefer John Pearse strings on mine, generally Pearse 80/20 bronze on rosewood guitars and Pearse phosphor bronze on everything else. But try a bunch, see which you like.

As for the theory that the strings that come on the guitar from the factory somehow being the authoritative first choice that should be adhered to, well, you can believe that if you like. But the strings that get chosen and used in bulk at these various guitar factories are usually chosen for reasons other than optimum tone: it has more to do with price and favorable merchandising agreements than anything else.

As a rule, it's only the small shop operations like National, Goodall, Froggy Bottom and so forth that actually choose the strings they send their guitars out with for reasons of tone alone, and they can do that because they aren't churning out so many that getting a better price break on the strings would make any real difference to them.

When Elixirs came out with their coated strings, that was a real game-changer, and guitar factories started using the Elixirs NOT because they liked the tone (most senior guitar company management types I spoke with actually didn't like the tone of Elixirs much at all, especially not the original Polywebs,) but because the coating on the strings helped keep the guitars sounding better longer when handled by a succession of grubby-fingered customers.

If you ever see a hang tag on a new guitar that reads "We recommend Such and Such a brand strings for our instruments" it's not there because anyone at the guitar company actually thinks that brand sounds better on their guitars, but because they got a better bulk price from the string manufacturer if those hang tags went on.

So it's a business deal, pure and simple. That is literally all there is to it.

Since Martin manufactures strings as well as guitars, naturally Martin guitars are going to feature Martin strings. Again, it's just business. It would be fairly pathetic if they DIDN'T use their own strings, wouldn't it?

So take this for what it's worth. I'm not knocking Martin strings: I've used them and like them just fine. But the point is that you can use any brand of strings you like, and really should experiment with a wide assortment of them before you settle on those that you prefer.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller

I use John Pearse or D'addarios on mine.

This is always a HUGE topic - especially the Elixir Pro/Con debate.

The notion that most Martin players don't like Elixirs is far from accurate. The majority of hard-core professionals I play with like them, and I have them on a couple of my guitars. The main issue is durability; Elixirs are generally very consistent and hold up to heavy play for longer than most other strings. They are also very expensive.

I did a lot of experimentation with my D-35, and settled on John Pearce 80/20 12s. They give me maximum volume, with better trebles to keep up with the D-35's powerful bass. Most other strings on my guitar, especially 13s (mediums), tend to be a little "thuddy." Elixir 12s work just fine, but the JPs are a tad brighter, and last as long as I like to keep strings on the 35 (about 2 weeks).

Sunbeams have a round (rather than hex) core, which makes them feel softer/lighter than the equivalent weight in other strings. They are especially popular with people who are transitioning from playing electric guitar with extra-light strings, or who just like a light-feeling action. I think Martin FX strings are pretty much the same.

Personally, I don't like the feel of the round cores, because it doesn't seem like they are "there" if I really want to dig in. Lots of people are happy with them, though.

The bottom line is, nobody can tell you what string to use. Listen to the opinions of the great people here at AGF, and at UMGF, then experiment and find what floats your boat.

- mike

Precisely. None of us have your ears and hands, none of us have that individual guitar that you own. It's all going to depend on your own needs, tastes and preferences.


whm

So far (I haven't had my Martin that long), Martin 80/20 SPs and D'Addarios 80/20 bronze have sounded good. EXPs seemed to muffle the sound, so my impression goes along with what others have said: coated strings may not be the best bet.

Strings are such a personal preference what ever sounds good to you is the best way to go!Like they said try a bunch of different strings and see what you like.
When I bought my Martin they had Elixir Poly web 80/20 on her,than I tried Martin Sp,than D'addario exp and Ej pb's than Cleartones.Out of those I liked the D'addario ej pb's but they went flat on me after a week of playing.

So i went back to Elixirs poly webs which were the ones on her when I fell in love with the guitar.I am sure I will continue to try other brands,I hear @ UMGF alot of guys like Newtones on their Martins.I am sure they will be next than DR's.

i know a lot of martin players who use elixers. more of them than any other string i beleave. includes me

I guess I am a purist
 

I don't much care for any kind of coating on the strings, including the bronze plating on the Martin SP strings. Nor do I like the way coated strings, such as Elixir, feel to the touch.

I usually use regular Martin light phosphor bronze, or sometimes the regular Martin medium/light gauge on guitars with a shorter 24.9 scale. They just sound and feel the best. Actually I have been using Darco, since they are made by Martin and are identical to the regular Martin strings as well as Clapton's Choice.

I also like Rohrbacher Titanium strings. My hands don't sweat, but I like the sound - which is a little sweeter than steel.

I own 5 Martins and one Taylor. I've tried dozns of strings, but always come back to Martin SPs, 4200s or M550s. No Martin player I know would be caught dead with a set of Elixirs on their guitar.

I used to use Elixirs (PB Nano Lights) on my 914CE, but I busted G Strings like they were made of glass. They were totally unreliable for me and after the 3rd or 4th shipment of replacement G strings from Gore I stopped using them altogether.

Hmmmm....you would seem to have a fairly narrow circle of acquaintances, then. I know several Martin guitar owners and players who use Elixirs, particularly among gigging professionals.

To them it's sheerly a matter of practicality, especially if they're playing outdoor festival stages, where they and their instruments get exposed to a wider range of weather conditions. To them it's less about tone and more about being able to keep the strings on their instruments a bit longer.


whm

To each his own, this is an old thread, but I would bet that only maybe 20% of all Martin users use coated strings, any brand. And that would be based on the UMGF forum which is probably the best sampling of Martins players you can find anywhere, and my circle of D/FW Martin players/friends and store owners.

There are certainly Martin folks who like Elixers and valid exceptions like weather considerations, but every string poll I have ever seen among Martin players has a strong bias for non-coated strings, that's a fact.

I'm sure some day there will be a coating that is totally transparent to tone, Elixer Nanos are "close" and I haven't tried the Martins strings with the Cleartone coating yet, but I'm sure the day is coming. Historically though, check the polls, most Martin players feel coated strings which are great on bright guitars like Taylors, somewhat dull warm/woody guitars like Martins.

If ther Cleartone/Martins are a hit or somebody else comes out with a coated string that does not affect tone at all (nitpicking for sure, but that's why folks buy nicer instruments, for the subtle nuances) I'll jump on the bandwagon.

Nothing wrong with saving money on strings if the tone isn't affected...;)

D-35 is my favourite Martin, Elixir are my least fovurite strings.

Go for DR Sunbeams 13's they will make your Martin sound like a beast with a heart.

And another thing
 

Careful with DR Sunbeams. I've had a few bad sets and I am probably not going to use them any more. If you do use them, it is important to tune the strings to pitch before cutting off the ends.

If you want strings that are impervious to weather, then Rohrbacher titanium nickel-wound strings are the ones to get. They last forever - as in years. And they do not corrode, ever. However, if you use a pickup on your guitar, they will not work. They work fine with a mic, however.

I guess I'll jump in on a year and a half thread. :) Soon after getting my used OM-21 over a year ago, I put on a set of Elixir Nano PB lights. They were fine, but I later replaced them with DR Sunbeams. I put on my third set of Sunbeams last night. They have a great sound, last a long time, and feel great. Just make sure you follow the directions in the box before cutting them.

Bill

I use D'Addario EJ16's on my 1967 D-35. I have used other strings, including DR Sunbeams, which also sound good. But I keep coming back to the D'Addario EJ16 as an excellent sounding string for a good price when you buy them in quantity. (Try Strings And Beyond.)

D'Addario EXP's are OK, too, but for the price, I haven't felt they were worth the difference in cost of the EJ16's.

I also use light strings. I have used mediums, and the guitar sounds good that way, but the light bracing on the D-35 lets light strings sound just great, particularly if you, like me, play predominantly fingerstyle.

I have tried Elixirs several times and I just don't care for their sound, not on any of my guitars.

Regards, Glenn

Ok,
I have had Sunbeams on the Mcilroy for a month plus now... the tone is not as good as the Dadarios EJ16 lights that it came with.... The Beams are lacking... less bass, thinner sound... feel more like playing an electric. I will give the mediums a try before I move on. The heavies were nice on a j-200 I put them on, but the owner prefers the John Pierce-for what its worth.;)

elixers only on my martin. most martin owners dont like elixers? sorry but thats not even close to being true.lol but every1 likes diff strings. personally i could care less what any1 else plays. i like what my ears tell me and elixers are the best. pb nanowebs

Same story here. The MSP's work really, really well on my OM and 000, and last a long time. They're under $5 per pack in bulk.

Also true for me. I tried 'em - once. I have a couple of unopened packages from back when I tried them. Maybe someday.

I prefer plain old Martin 80/20's on my Martin dread sitka/eir. I used to use the SP's but I found them to sound slightly dull compared to the cheaper Martin strings.

Since I discovered John Pearse p/b 600L strings I have been a big fan. I tried them first on my Yamaha with good results. Then they went on the D-28 and 000-15. I still like the Martin strings and Elixrs but the John Pearse really have a good feel and tone.