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  #1  
Old 10-14-2014, 08:03 AM
sbeirnes sbeirnes is offline
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Default Strings to tame Taylor brightness?

Hi. I picked up two Taylors this year and I really like them. They are the most playable acoustics I have ever owned.

I am looking for recommendations for strings that will tame a little of the brightness out of these guitars. I am currently using Martin Lifespan SP's 7200 13-56 and I like how long they last, but they are brighter than I would like and have a 'quack' that I am not enjoying.

What would you recommend?
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Old 10-14-2014, 08:07 AM
T Wescott T Wescott is offline
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Try 80/20 instead of phospher, see if that helps.
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Old 10-14-2014, 08:09 AM
YamaYairi YamaYairi is offline
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If you like coated strings, go with Elixir Polyweb. They have a more mellow sound. I put DiAddario Flat Tops on my Blueridge BR163 to mellow it out and I like them very much. They are also louder than the Elixirs for some reason. The ultimate mellowing strings are Silk and Steel. Martin makes some and GHS also. I am using the GHS on my 1889 Washburn and they sound great.
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Old 10-14-2014, 08:12 AM
JoePa and Son JoePa and Son is offline
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John Pearse Pure Nickel Mediums on our GS Sitka/Maple sound great.
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Old 10-14-2014, 08:16 AM
Rmz76 Rmz76 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sbeirnes View Post
Hi. I picked up two Taylors this year and I really like them. They are the most playable acoustics I have ever owned.

I am looking for recommendations for strings that will tame a little of the brightness out of these guitars. I am currently using Martin Lifespan SP's 7200 13-56 and I like how long they last, but they are brighter than I would like and have a 'quack' that I am not enjoying.

What would you recommend?
Well Martin Lifespan strings are not warm, they are VERY bright. If you want warmth consider D'Addario non-coated....

Comparison of Martin Lifespan with D'Addario non-coated PBs


If you want warmth over brightness stay away from Martin and John Pearse strings, look at D'Addario's.... I really like Elixir strings on Taylor guitars. Elixir's are what Taylor puts on their guitars at the factory. They have a good balance between warmth and brightness and since they are coated they last a long time.
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Old 10-14-2014, 08:22 AM
greg947 greg947 is offline
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The Martin Monels do a pretty good job (they are nickel strings, also). I am currently using DR Rares on my bright guitar, and they are better than other PB strings at taming the brightness, but not as good as nickel strings. The trebles (b and e) are harder to deal with because they are wire. I found the bronzed wires from Martin SP's were the least bright and you can get them in bulk for JustStrings.com. I use lights and I found using plain .17 and .13 for the b and e strings helped. I am going to try J Pearse New Mediums (PB) next because of that.

Good luck in your search.
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Old 10-14-2014, 08:23 AM
Tarekith Tarekith is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T Wescott View Post
Try 80/20 instead of phospher, see if that helps.
Isn't it the other way around? My 814 came with the 80/20, but I switched to PB for a warmer tone, love it.
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Old 10-14-2014, 08:24 AM
cke cke is offline
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I don't think Taylors are too bright. Rather they are thin sounding and. Weak on the lower tones. With the clarity they possess it makes for an overemphasis on the high tones. I don't think strings alone can bring it into balance.
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  #9  
Old 10-14-2014, 08:29 AM
ToneHunter ToneHunter is offline
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You might want to try the PB Elixir Nanos. A lot of people seem to like them on their Taylors.
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Old 10-14-2014, 08:29 AM
Mooh Mooh is offline
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To me ears, a lot of that brightness comes from overtones of the lower strings as much as the higher strings. Try D'Addario Flattops or GHS Vintage Bronze.
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  #11  
Old 10-14-2014, 08:32 AM
Solosdad Solosdad is offline
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I had the same problem with my Taylor 814 ce 2010 short scale a few years ago. The treble E just did not go with the rest of the marvelous tone to my ears. I tried every kind of string and nothing tamed it.Changing strings that often in search of tone did make me a great string changer of slotted headstock guitars! The cure for me was trading-in my guitar for a Taylor GC6.The maple back and sides tamed the treble tone for me. The problem was fixed! The tone was in balance for me across the strings. The other guitar that worked for me was a GS5, however it was not available at the store when I traded for my GC6. I have not had this problem with other brands that I own. You might try drop tuning 1/2 step and see if this helps you. Good luck!
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Old 10-14-2014, 08:38 AM
ewalling ewalling is offline
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I think this thread really does show that there's no substitute for experimenting. We have conflicting opinions about whether 80/20s are brighter than phosphors, and now someone has suggested that maple will tame the trebles, when this tonewood is traditionally thought to accentuate them. Various strings will sound different on a range of guitars, and tonewoods will vary in their response to them.
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Old 10-14-2014, 08:44 AM
FrankB2 FrankB2 is offline
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80/20 vs PB: I've seen so many conflicting opinions about which is brighter. My own experience is that 80/20's made a spruce/rosewood parlor guitar have much clearer basses.

I use EXP16's on my European spruce/Mahogany Taylor 514e, and they sound very balanced, clear, and have a nice bass response compared to a 414ce with Elixir PB's.
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  #14  
Old 10-14-2014, 08:47 AM
PointBlank PointBlank is offline
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I second Monel's. Have them on a Maple backed guitar.
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Old 10-14-2014, 08:49 AM
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They are not inexpensive, but Thomastic Infields are not bright at all. Have a very warm, rich sound. FWIW.
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