String Comparison

[wguitar]

Hi folks,

Would appreciate your comparative thoughts on the following strings:

D'Addario EJ16 PB (12-53)
D'Addario EXP11 80/20 Bronze (12-53)
D'Addario EXP16 PB (12-53)
DR Sunbeams Light PB (12-54)
Elixir PB Nanoweb PB (12-53)
Elixir 80/20 Bronze (12-53)

- Which do you prefer on what guitar(s)?

- Why do you prefer one vs. the other(s)?

- Do you have low/medium/high action ?

- Any comments on things like tone, projection, playability, how long between string changes, your playing style, use pick or fingerstyle --- anything you can think of

THANKS!

[Brucebubs]

Unfortunately the D'Addario EXP's have been replaced with their XT range which I haven't tried yet - I used the EXP38 12-string PB set for many years.

I preferred them over Elixir for feel - Elixir are simply too slippery for me.

DR Sunbeam Lights are superb strings, great feel, balance and tone on the right guitar - lifted my relatively inexpensive laminate Epiphone EJ-200 to a different level - round-cores, take care installing them.

Action on all my guitars is as close as I can get to 2.25mm at the 12th fret 6E string.

I use .012 lights on all my guitars, I'm mostly a strummer.

Still enjoying experimenting with strings on my Gibson SJ-200 but I've nailed it down to rotating between these 3 pictured.

[mattwood]

I’ve never preferred D’Addario strings of any type on any guitar. To me they just don’t have any character. On the other hand I really like Sunbeams and Elixir PB although they have different tones they are both pleasing to my ear.

[ponder2004]

I've been using Daddario XS light on all my guitars. I like them better than the Elixir nanowebs 80/20 I had been using.

[donlyn]

String Comparison

My old hands and less than old ears have brought me to a different point other than common light gauge strings. And I've tried most of the strings out there over the years, including most variations and combinations of Lights and Mediums.

My currently (and forever?) favorite gauge for most of my six string guitars is Elixir PB HD Lights, (.013 - .053). I use them on most any size, from the smaller Taylor Grand Concerts to the larger J-200 Jumboes and the Grand Orchestra, Taylor's Jumbo replacement.

Basically the gauge is Medium treble strings and Light bass strings, with a 'tweener' (.025) G string. This adds +.001 to a set of regular light gauge. And helps the balanced sound of the guitar. The slight bump to the trebles give them a nice little boost, and the big boys don't really need Mediums to have a really nice bass tone. And my old hands prosper from less tension too.

For those that don't like Elixir strings, just use what brand you like and upgrade the treble E and B from .012 and .016 to the Medium gauge unwound .013 and .017 respectively. (You might want to give it a try, Bruce; I know you don't like Elixirs, but this might be a fun experiment.) During Covid shortages, I did just what I described and it did the job quite well.

I fingerpick all my instruments using my nails as picks.

Br well all,

Don
.

[roadbiker]

I only use D'Addario strings. I tried Elixirs but didn't like them. Too bright, slippery, and they shed/peel.

The strings I have been using mainly, depending on the guitar, have been EJ16, and EXP16 strings. Now that the EXPs have been discontinued (I still have a bunch of them left), I've tried the XT strings and really like them. Right now I am playing Nickel Bronze strings on my Taylor 814. I like them, but I think they will be better suited on my Guild D-50, which I currently have strung with the XT strings. The NB strings have a less bright, more mellow, "natural" character compared to PB strings.

I have a couple of sets of the new XS strings, which replace the EXPs, and am really looking forward to trying them too.

With regard to EXPs, you can still find them. They sound great, last a pretty long time, and don't shed like the Elixirs.

That's my 2 cents.

[brad4d8]

Almost since they were introduced in the '70s, I've used D'Addario PB on all my guitars, was using EJ17s (or heavier on my F50) on my six strings until recently when I went to EJ16s. I've tried Sunbeam lights on a few and like them when new, but don't seem to have the longevity of the EJ16s. Just bought two sets of DR Veritas, supposedly longer life than the Sunbeams and will give them a try next, probably on my Orpheum dread or Pawless Mesquite Special.

[nuchdig]

Had I to choose from your list, based on a few of my guitars:

D'Addario EXP16 on the Martin & Alvarez dreads (low/medium action). I believe Alvarez used to ship their Masterworks with these.

Elixir Nanowebs on Takamine acoustic electric (lower action). These are "slippery" strings to some. Sound decent enough plugged in for folky-rock type stuff I do on this guitar.

[Oldguy64]

Based on your list, I’d go for the EJ11’s and the EJ16’s.
The 80/20’s start bright and warm to about the tone of week old PB’s.
The PB’s sound pretty good on every guitar I’ve put them on.
That said, these days I tend toward Nickel and Monel strings.
The D’addario NB’s in particular seem to give the “honest” tone of the guitar.
No real overtones.
They also have nearly the longevity of coated strings, but they don’t feel too slick.

Because I also happen to be frugal, I’ve been messing with nickel Electric guitar strings in “heavier” gauges.
I just put a set of EJ21’s on my AJ60SC. It will be a day or two till they settle down. But they already sound very nice.

[A.Wilder1]

I only use one guitar at the moment, my Waterloo WL-S. It’s a small 0/00 with spruce over cherry and I keep super low action on it around 5.5/64.

I’m happy you brought up the Elixir Polywebs as they don’t get much time on here. They are my go to on the Waterloo. Mostly I find they sound warm and lush. While they might not have the bite that the EJ16s have (which I also like) they are still close in that regard. Add in the longevity and almost no string noise I find them hard to beat.

[FaxMachine]

Speaking of sunbeams, does anybody actually know the tension on a set of DR Sunbeams Light PB (12-54) ??

[Athana]

I use Elixir Nano 11-52 80/20 on H&D DS Adi/Braz Acoustic and I'd like to find a Round Core Version of this same string as Id like a more flexible string to bend. But in that gauge the selection seems to only be Newtone Masterclass from England but I really think uncoated strings at $13 a set is too much.
I have the Elixir Nano 11-52 PB Phosphor Bronze on Martin D-28A 1941
and a Lowden O50 Sitka/Koa and Id like same gauge in Round Core..

I like both those strings in sound and durability but I would like more flexibility in bends.

The EXP back in the day I think were the best sounding on the Martins I had then.

I use DR Sunbeams 12-54 on a Lowden F Custom (Short Scale) Adi/Braz
which sound perfect also Elixir PB 12-53 which sound excellent but I will eventually want 11-52 on that too.
But DR do not do Round Core in 11-52 only 11-50 and no 80/20 Round Core.
The price, being made right here in beautiful New Jersey is what strings should cost if you are to keep up with string changes.
I tried Pyramid too stiff took them off right away..Tomastik-Infeld the deadest strings I ever used I took them off in two days..Earthwound..Cleartone both no..Newtone were good but being used to Elixir long life I felt they didn't last very long..but pretty good.
To get the Round Core in PB & 80/20 in 11-52 looks like I may have to order Newtone Strings. For durability though those Elixir really last.Cheers

[steelvibe]

Originally Posted by Athana

I use Elixir Nano 11-52 80/20 on H&D DS Adi/Braz Acoustic and I'd like to find a Round Core Version of this same string as Id like a more flexible string to bend. But in that gauge the selection seems to only be Newtone Masterclass from England....

I use DR Sunbeams 12-54 on a Lowden F Custom (Short Scale) Adi/Braz
which sound perfect also Elixir PB 12-53 which sound excellent but I will eventually want 11-52 on that too.

But DR do not do Round Core in 11-52 only 11-50 and no 80/20 Round Core.
The price, being made right here in beautiful New Jersey is what strings should cost if you are to keep up with string changes.
To get the Round Core in PB & 80/20 in 11-52 looks like I may have to order Newtone Strings. For durability though those Elixir really last.Cheers

You might want to try these, even in your preferred gauge. These are made in Cortez Colorado. I don’t believe there is another US based string manufacturer making 80/20 with round cores. I’ve only tried Curt Mangan round core monel and they were nice!

https://www.curtmangan.com/11-52-rou...-80-20-bronze/

[koko61]

I have tried many strings on my guitars over the years: Elixir, Newtone, Wyres, John Pearse, Earthwood, etc. both 80/20 and phosphor bronze, and the truth is that the D´addario EJ16 works well on all my guitars and they never disappoint me, they also have a very good price, so I stick with the EJ16

[EZYPIKINS]

None of the above.

Rotosound