And so begins the long road of finding the right strings

[Iolas]

I love Elixir Nano PBs on my Yamaha, but I can't find anything for the Alvarez.
I've ordered a set of DR Rares, DR Sunbeams, John Pearse PB, and some EJ17s...I hope one of these will do the trick. I really like Elixirs but they sound like crap on the Alvarez.

[Misty44]

Ah, the Wheel of Strings, round and round it goes, where it stops, only you can tell...so many brands, so many gauges, so many coatings.

Every once in a while I think I've found the perfect pairing of strings and guitar, but then something compels me to try a new and different set and voila! I've suddenly discovered a new perfect pairing.

So as you begin the long road to string nirvana, remember that the journey - the quest for truth and perfection - is a lot of fun and to me one of the variable enjoyments of this wonderful wacky world of wooden boxes we live in. Enjoy!

[skatalite]

Try out D'Addario EXPs.

[nachomaga]

One of my guitar loves John Pearse , another guitar loves D'Addarios. Good luck in your search!

[Cue Zephyr]

I'd say throw in the Dean Markley Alchemy strings.
Good luck with finding your string, I'm on this road myself too, and have had only properly tried two sets (EXP17 and GoldBronze 2026, Elixir 11102 next).
They don't carry near as much as you guys seem to be able to get your hands on.

[Glennwillow]

Well, the right strings for your guitar are ..... the right strings for your guitar. You just have to find them. Fortunately, there is a huge variety of strings out there to try.

I seem to remember that I put a set of D'Addario PB lights (EJ16) on a similar model Alvarez and I thought they sounded pretty good. I think you've ordered a good selection so you're on your way to finding something.

On the DR Sunbeams -- be sure to read the instructions before installing them.

Regards, Glenn

[Cue Zephyr]

I still can't seem to figure out how you guys remember which strings sounded like what, which were good and which weren't...

[DamianL]

OP: I predict that John Pearse will be your friend...

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by Cue Zephyr

I still can't seem to figure out how you guys remember which strings sounded like what, which were good and which weren't...

Well, there are two basic procedures to follow if you are seriously experimenting with strings in order to find what suits you and that particular guitar the best:

1.) Take notes in a notebook of some sort;

and

2.) Don't wait until one test set of strings is dead before trying the next test set of strings. During this research & development phase, pull each set of strings you're trying off the guitar while they still sound good. If you wait until they get grotty and sound embalmed, ANYthing you try next will sound better. So that will seriously skew your results, and render them essentially worthless.

Then Damian wrote:

Originally Posted by DamianL

OP: I predict that John Pearse will be your friend...

Hey, I love John Pearse strings, too, but different brands work better for some people than others. Even though I'm a Pearse artist endorser, I always recommend that everybody try what's out there and see what they like best.

Nobody's making bad strings these days: they're all viable choices, in my opinion.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller

[Michael T]

Originally Posted by Cue Zephyr

I still can't seem to figure out how you guys remember which strings sounded like what, which were good and which weren't...

I picked 2 songs, 1 fast and heavy cross picked (boogey) and one slow and a mix of fingerstyle and sustain holds.

Record the strings at about 4 hours play and set a limit of 20-25 hours play and record again the same 2 tunes, make a note or two verbally as to your proximity to the mic etc.

Change strings and repeat.

It takes a lot of time but after 6 or 8 months you should be able to go back and find what you like on that guitar, then you can compare new ones against that at will.

Go to the next guitar and repeat the whole process because each one is different and will respond differently.

[sugarkang]

d'addario EXP or go home!

[tnvol]

I'm on that road right now. I've tried Martins, EXPs, Elixirs, JP, Earthwoods, Cleartones, DM Helix and a few others. So far, I've liked the EXPs the best. They seem to do well on all my guitars. The Cleartones were quite nice too. The absolute worst were the DM Helix's. They sounded horrible right off the bat. I still have a set of DR Sunbeams to try.

[220volt]

Originally Posted by Cue Zephyr

I still can't seem to figure out how you guys remember which strings sounded like what, which were good and which weren't...

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...1eG5tc2c&hl=en

[oldrocker]

Originally Posted by Cue Zephyr

I'd say throw in the Dean Markley Alchemy strings.
Good luck with finding your string, I'm on this road myself too, and have had only properly tried two sets (EXP17 and GoldBronze 2026, Elixir 11102 next).
They don't carry near as much as you guys seem to be able to get your hands on.

You beat me to it. These strings sound great. Compared to Elixers I believe these strings sound a little more lively and louder...if you don't mind the fact that they are noisy when you slide your hands up and down them.

[Cue Zephyr]

I can't compare, because I believe the stock strings on my Taylor have been on it as long as it has existed, the serial tells me it's from 2008. I actually screwed up, I tried the EXP12s, and still have EXP17s in my stash, as well as the GoldPhos 2048 (can't wait to try those!). Well then I also still have the Elixir 11102 (80/20 med nano) and 16102 (P/B med nano). Just got me two sets of EJ17s, for when I'm putting in my new saddle and I happen to break a string, then I won't have to wast my expensive strings. Also, next order will include Martin MSP3200 and MSP4200, Sunbeam RCA-13, DR EXTRA Life Black Beauties BKA-13 and GHS Infinity IB40M.

As for the spreadsheet, well that works. I just make a simple description on every string type, when I put them on, and after a week, and before I change them.