Strings to tame Taylor brightness?

[RustyZombie]

Normally Taylors are too bright for my tastes, but I remember playing one strung with Red Brand strings that I thought sounded rather good.

[Kip Carter]

Originally Posted by BlackmoresNight

Normally Taylors are too bright for my tastes, but I remember playing one strung with Red Brand strings that I thought sounded rather good.

I had a shop up north of Bham recommend the Red brand. Not tried them on any of my guitars but would love to hear more first hand accounts. The shop owner claimed the were full and very balanced.

[sirwhale]

I put some Martin SPs on a couple of weeks ago and I have found them too bright and they definitely have that "quack" to them that someone else mentioned further up. They'll be coming off soon when new strings arrive for further experimentation. I bought John Pearse's silk and bronze's (11s), Ernie ball's silk and bronze's (13s), JP's Nickle wound (12s and 13s).

Excited to get them

[jmjohnson]

Whenever trying to temper bright guitars I too turn to GHS Vintage Bronze 1st, and just recently re-tried DR Rares (on a mahogany 514ce).

The GHS were OK, but overall I like the Rares better. Of course neither will help much with the plain steel strings.

Up next, I am hoping a Markley PB Helix set (which has tinned steels) will sound good too.

As for 80/20 vs PB...I would not find 8/2 to necessarily be brighter, but cleaner, less over-tones, with as I perceive things a more vintage twang. However I wouldn't put 8/2s on "to warm things up".

[ddawson2012]

Don from D'Addario strings here -

On the Brightness Scale - 80/20 are the brighter of the two:

In a simplified overview - 80/20 is 80% copper - 20% tin; Phosphor Bronze is 92% Copper and then a mix of Tin, Zinc, Phosphorus. There is also an 85/15 set out there which falls in between.

80/20 can really brighten up a darker sounding instrument or give some shine to a big box guitar.

PB gives you warmth and punch. Nice for most guitars and is by far the best selling string on the market.

Electric Guitar Strings can also give you a tonal flavor that can be interesting. Michael Hedges used them periodically and players like Kenny Smith swear by them.

Hope that helps!

Don Dawson
Product Marketing Specialist
D'Addario / Planet Waves

[s2y]

Originally Posted by ddawson2012

Electric Guitar Strings can also give you a tonal flavor that can be interesting. Michael Hedges used them periodically and players like Kenny Smith swear by them.

Did not know this. Which songs?

[painasusual]

Try the martin retros. They are pretty mellow.

[Oldguy64]

Originally Posted by s2y

The 618e blew my mind. My shop usually only stocks the x12ce and x14ce guitars. Those obviously have the sound that some guys complain about.

It dawns on me that I rarely see a x10 Taylor.
I know they are out there. But I'd wager that the x14 is the most popular of the full size guitars coming out of the Tsylor factory.

And those guitars have a certain voice. They were designed to complement Kathy Mattea's voice. Thankfully, she sings alto vs Soprano.

[AmericanEagle]

Originally Posted by Oldguy64

It dawns on me that I rarely see a x10 Taylor.
I know they are out there. But I'd wager that the x14 is the most popular of the full size guitars coming out of the Tsylor factory.

And those guitars have a certain voice. They were designed to complement Kathy Mattea's voice. Thankfully, she sings alto vs Soprano.

They are out there.
I have a 110

[AmericanEagle]

Originally Posted by ddawson2012

Don from D'Addario strings here -

On the Brightness Scale - 80/20 are the brighter of the two:

In a simplified overview - 80/20 is 80% copper - 20% tin; Phosphor Bronze is 92% Copper and then a mix of Tin, Zinc, Phosphorus. There is also an 85/15 set out there which falls in between.

80/20 can really brighten up a darker sounding instrument or give some shine to a big box guitar.

PB gives you warmth and punch. Nice for most guitars and is by far the best selling string on the market.

Electric Guitar Strings can also give you a tonal flavor that can be interesting. Michael Hedges used them periodically and players like Kenny Smith swear by them.

Hope that helps!

Don Dawson
Product Marketing Specialist
D'Addario / Planet Waves

What about silk and steel D'Addarios?
are they too mellow?

[scottishrogue]

I don't own a Taylor, but on other makes of acoustic-electric guitars I use La Bella "Silk & Steel" Lights. I also use Martin "Silk & Steel" Lights or Extra Lights. I've also used D'Addario XL Chromed Jazz Lights, which are polished flat wound strings. If you don't use a pickup, they sound kind of dark, but plugged in, they sound fabulous.

Glen

[RustyZombie]

Originally Posted by Kip Carter

I had a shop up north of Bham recommend the Red brand. Not tried them on any of my guitars but would love to hear more first hand accounts. The shop owner claimed the were full and very balanced.

I tried them on my guitars, and while I liked the strings themselves, they were simply too warm for my already warm sounding guitars. However, they would be one of the string options I would immediately consider if I got a brighter sounding guitar.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Transylvania

They are not inexpensive, but Thomastic Infields are not bright at all. Have a very warm, rich sound. FWIW.

I'd 2nd this suggestion.
Thomastik-Infeld (correct spelling!) 'Plectrum'
Not cheap but beautifully made with a cotton wrap on the wound strings to protect the tuner posts.

[jumbomumbo]

D'Addario EFT16 Flat Tops!

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by ddawson2012

Don from D'Addario strings here -

On the Brightness Scale - 80/20 are the brighter of the two:

In a simplified overview - 80/20 is 80% copper - 20% tin; Phosphor Bronze is 92% Copper and then a mix of Tin, Zinc, Phosphorus. There is also an 85/15 set out there which falls in between.

80/20 can really brighten up a darker sounding instrument or give some shine to a big box guitar.

PB gives you warmth and punch. Nice for most guitars and is by far the best selling string on the market.

Electric Guitar Strings can also give you a tonal flavor that can be interesting. Michael Hedges used them periodically and players like Kenny Smith swear by them.

Hope that helps!

Don Dawson
Product Marketing Specialist
D'Addario / Planet Waves

My experience agrees with Don's. PB strings, like D'Addario EJ16 reduce trebles and add bass. I also changed the saddle from Tusq to bone. Between the two changes I am much happier with the sound of my Taylor 514CE.

- Glenn