Still searching for good strings to put on my Martin

[Jtrippe]

I just got my first Martin last month. It's a GPCPA4 Rosewood. I like Martins and there softer or more mellow tone. I had an Alvarez RD-8 and it was already a louder than average guitar with any strings, so I put on Polyweb Elixirs (I may try the Nanowebs). I've always loved them, but they actually make my Martin too quiet in my opinion.
I want strings that do bring out the sound of this Martin well, but also don't want the strings to be too bright and twangy. Suggestions?

[mattcran]

Recently purchased my first Martin as well. I came from elixir on Taylors, so I tried the Martin lifespan phosphor bronze and love them. Reasonable price and long life. Strings and beyond may still have BOGO.

[Treenewt]

Strings are uber-personal, and relatively inexpensive. Try out some different brands and just see what you think.

FWIW, my D18 sounds fantastic with D'addario EJ17s on it. Those are phosphor bronze mediums. Muy Bueno.

[brencat]

Originally Posted by Jtrippe

I just got my first Martin last month. It's a GPCPA4 Rosewood. I like Martins and there softer or more mellow tone. I had an Alvarez RD-8 and it was already a louder than average guitar with any strings, so I put on Polyweb Elixirs (I may try the Nanowebs). I've always loved them, but they actually make my Martin too quiet in my opinion.
I want strings that do bring out the sound of this Martin well, but also don't want the strings to be too bright and twangy. Suggestions?

I used to own a GPCPA4. My favorite strings on that were the DR Sunbeam PBs in 12-54 gauge (what DR calls "medium" but they are same gauge as everyone else's lights).

[harmonics101]

Martin SP strings (PB) all the way around for me, Gibsons and Martins, some mediums and others lights, I've been going towards lights in my older age and experience,

H

[SprintBob]

FWIW, I never liked Elixir strings on my Taylor's. Two of them now have Martin strings.

[fnesnor]

Martin SP strings is my standard for all guitars.

[Daion78]

DR Rares have won out on my D-16. Medium guage

[Oldguy64]

I'm cheap and I play mostly D'Addario EJ16's.
You might try the EXP16.

If you are really curious, go to Just Strings or Strings & beyond, and go wild. choose a bit of everything. Try them till your guitar chooses its favorite.

[Mike McLenison]

The best imo. I use them on my Martin HD-35.

http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/pyr-ac-pb-rnd.html

[AZLiberty]

rosewood Martin would get some sort of PB strings.

Probably standard Martins if you wanted to avoid the brighter SPs.

[Wade Hampton]

As a general rule I prefer 80/20 strings on rosewood guitars, particularly rosewood guitars built by Martin. The 80/20's give greater clarity and usually help the low end not by being bassier, but by giving the bass response better definition. In most cases it's just easier to hear what's going on in that register when you use 80/20's on a rosewood guitar, in my experience.

I'm an artist endorser for John Pearse, and John Pearse 80/20's in medium or bluegrass gauge are what I would use on your GPCPA4 Rosewood. But light gauge would work fine, too.

Hope this helps.


Wade Hampton Miller

[Joe M]

Lot of love, and hate, for Martin Retros on this site. Most people that like them say they are mellow and bring out the sound of the guitar. I'm pretty sure MF still has them on sale for $4.99 at set. Worth a try.