What Strings Do You Use and Why?

[woodruff]

Originally Posted by tholmes

Woody, I honestly can't tell the difference. 'Course that could be from 23 years in a machine shop and several thousand rounds of large caliber handgun ammo

Tom

well tom, we both got a hummingbird, so i will go with your experience....i got d'addario pb 12s on her now, and will test the euphonons....

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by hann

just changed to my 1st every set of webstrings portland acoustic mediums... sounding good so far..
anyone know the lifespan of these?

Hi Hann...
I get between 20-25 hours of playing time from any non-coated strings. Doesn't seem to matter what brand or source. I use a lot of webstrings strings since students and friends buy them off me when they are in a hurry or a pinch.

Hope this helps...

[Tarnisher]

Thanks for all the replies, everyone! I think I'll give those DR Sunbeams a try, if I can find them. I have some wrist issues, so playability is really important, but of course I hate to sacrifice tone. The 'beams sound like just the ticket.

[Kabookie]

Acoustically, I use John Pearse 700M Phosphor Bronze Wound medium-gauge strings ~ .013, .017, .026, .035, .045, .056.

My Martins take to them sublimely. There is a noticeable flexibility in terms of tone, resonance, and overall sonic capabilities. I can attack 'em in blues mode and caress 'em in folk mode. Always score 'em at Shoreline Music, too.

Play on, pick often, and prosper. Regards.....Kabookie

[66strummer]

Originally Posted by sixiron150

I tried a few sets of webstrings. Sounded good for a while but died quickly (at about the 1 week point). You might have better luck though. I have a set of Curt Mangan's on now. Richest sound of any I've tried to date and are holding up well after 2 weeks.

__________________________________________________ _________

I found the Webstrings didnt seem to last very long. I like the $2/set Musician's Gear Strings (MF). They hold up much better and you just cant beat the price (IMO of course!).....

Ryan

Quick Note: I put a set of these (80/20) on my Aria AD-80 a month ago or more and they still sound good. I've been very surprised by this. Usually the low E string on uncoated strings tends to get thuddy (dead sounding) within a week or 2.....

[Michael T]

Originally Posted by hann

rares and sunbeams are quite different actually.

Rares are hex core while sunbeams are round core.

The difference is this.. most strings nowadays are hex core because they "bite" into the windings, so it prevents the windings from slipping off. but also cos this hex core, tensions are higher.
The sunbeam is roundcore so there's more winding surface in contact with the core wire. This prolongs sustain abit but it is noticeable.

Sound wise, they're both pretty similar seeing they're both DR products.
But the sunbeams, also cos of the roundcore, have a lower tension, so they're easier to play/bend/hammer etc.. I've tried both and i've stuck with sunbeams.. love the playability and the increased sustain. =)

hope it helps.

+1 good desciption.

[BigRed51]

Elixir Polyweb Mediums

Why?

1) I like the tone
2) I like the lack of string noise
3) I like the smooth feel
4) I like the fact that they keep their ring 4 to 5 times longer than any uncoated strings I have used, and and least twice as long as other coated strings I have tried.
5) Because of 4, they are much more cost effective than any other strings have tried. Because of 1-3, I would still use them even if they cost a little more.