Cleartone strings changed the guitar

ParisStarlight · #1 10-11-2017, 11:14 PM

Had to order new strings for my 12 the other day and I’ve always used Elixirs...they are what is available locally. I decided to try something different and ordered some Cleartones. Wow! I just put them on a few hours ago.
I feel like they honestly sound less muddy. They definitely feel much less like a coated string also. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, but they make the guitar sound like it has more definition in my opinion.

ParisStarlight · #2 10-11-2017, 11:18 PM

Brucebubs · #3 10-11-2017, 11:39 PM

I haven't tried Cleartones - I'll make a note of them.
My preferred 12 strings are D'Addario EXP38 PB's but I'm up to trying other brands too.
I have DR's on one 12-string guitar at the moment and a new untried 12-string set of D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings sitting here.
I think I read somewhere that Martin Retro Monels are available in a 12-string set now too.(I really like them on mahogany)

Wade Hampton · #4 10-11-2017, 11:41 PM

I've generally preferred the sound of Cleartone strings to the other coated strings I've tried.

whm

Don Lampson · #5 10-12-2017, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

I've generally preferred the sound of Cleartone strings to the other coated strings I've tried.

whm

I recently tried a set of medium Cleartones. They were on my Eastman D20 for the last two months. They had plenty of life left in them, but I returned to the comfort of my LTR with Elixer PB nanowebs... I have yet to find any string I like better.....

Tone wise, the Cleartones reminded me of J. Pearse, or D'Addarios. I expect pickers who don't like coated strings would enjoy them far more than I did, and benefit from their extended play life... They seemed to me noticeably brighter than Elixers, and stiffer, with almost the finger squeak noise of uncoated strings...

Don

pieterh · #6 10-12-2017, 05:47 AM

I like Cleartone a lot and used to use them all the time. Hard to get hold of locally. I really liked Martin Lifespans but they changed to their own long life process last year and the first set I tried lasted just as long as a regular untreated set - i.e. about a week of regular use.

Their process is something akin to galvanising iirc. So not a coating as such and explains why they feel like “normal” strings.

HHP · #7 10-12-2017, 05:54 AM

I find strings to be like women. I am really enthusiastic about the one I've been with most recently.

MikeBmusic · #8 10-12-2017, 06:11 AM

I used to use Cleartone all the time, liked their longevity and feel. Then I switched to the Martin Lifespans, which I still use, but as pieterh says, when Martin switched to their own coating process, the Lifespans are not anywhere as long-lasting now. I wish Cleartones weren't so expensive, I'd try them out again. to compare (I play a lot more now than I used to).

ParisStarlight · #9 10-12-2017, 07:08 AM

They are not cheap, but I felt they are worth the extra cost. I also liked the D’Addario PB, but on my 12 I really want coated since I’m not playing out and I want them to last. I used the Elixirs because they were the only ones available locally that were coated. They still sounded good, but the Cleartones just seem to give it more life.

They definitely do feel like they are stiffer, I’d rate that as the one down side. Not horrible, but on the 12 the elixirs took little effort to fret.

Also, the Elixirs are nice with little noise and how smooth they play. These definitely do feel more like traditional strings though.

They gave it more jangle to me, more of a traditional 12 sound. I play mostly chords with a pick on it, more of a strummer.

I’m excited to go play them again when my little guy naps today and hear the beauty of the 12.

Greg Ballantyne · #10 10-12-2017, 07:51 AM

Seagull was shipping guitars with Cleartones when I bought my NE in 2013. I took them off within two days & replaced them with d'Addario, and never looked back. Incidentally, the saddle "reset" some in the bridge pocket with that string change, which likely had more effect on things than the new strings, but...

It depends on the guitar. I never liked Elixirs until I bought a Taylor - they sound different on those guitars.

Glad you found a great string, and play on!

ParisStarlight · #11 10-12-2017, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Ballantyne

Seagull was shipping guitars with Cleartones when I bought my NE in 2013. I took them off within two days & replaced them with d'Addario, and never looked back. Incidentally, the saddle "reset" some in the bridge pocket with that string change, which likely had more effect on things than the new strings, but...

It depends on the guitar. I never liked Elixirs until I bought a Taylor - they sound different on those guitars.

Glad you found a great string, and play on!

Thanks! The Seagull sounded great with the Elixirs, but it just sounded better to my ear with the Cleartones. I’m fairly sure the AGF user I bought it from had D’Addarios on it at the time.

I bet that saddle reset made the biggest difference! Seagull does make a great product though (Godin in general). I love my Norman and my Seagull.

Greg Ballantyne · #12 10-12-2017, 08:09 AM

Like most of us, I've tried different strings from time to time, and over the years. These days I "stock" d'Addarios and Elixirs - Elixir for my Taylors, and d'Addario for the rest. It wasn't always that way - I played Martin Bluegrass on dreads for years, for example.

I guess I never really gave the Cleartones a chance, but there had to be a reason that Godin switched to them..... their previous string was Godin branded dAddario....

zombywoof · #13 10-12-2017, 11:17 AM

A while back the owner of a small music shop gave me a set of the Cleartone hybrid metal strings to see what I thought. They were better than I expected although I still prefer the Newtone Masterclass and D'addario Nickel Bronze.

vindibona1 · #14 10-12-2017, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBmusic

I used to use Cleartone all the time, liked their longevity and feel. Then I switched to the Martin Lifespans, which I still use, but as pieterh says, when Martin switched to their own coating process, the Lifespans are not anywhere as long-lasting now. I wish Cleartones weren't so expensive, I'd try them out again. to compare (I play a lot more now than I used to).

I guess I can consider myself lucky that my pH is low enough that I don't have to concern myself with needing to buy coated strings and can sympathize with those who must buy them. I haven't tried the Cleartones yet. Elixirs just seem like middle-of-the-road in terms of tone and I have tried them many times in many different gauges. For whatever reason I feel like I've had to change Elixirs out after 3 weeks, so no real savings on that count. As far as the Lifespan strings go, they have never lasted one day longer than the MSP4100's that I can get for under $6.

ParisStarlight · #15 10-12-2017, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindibona1

I guess I can consider myself lucky that my pH is low enough that I don't have to concern myself with needing to buy coated strings and can sympathize with those who must buy them. I haven't tried the Cleartones yet. Elixirs just seem like middle-of-the-road in terms of tone and I have tried them many times in many different gauges. For whatever reason I feel like I've had to change Elixirs out after 3 weeks, so no real savings on that count. As far as the Lifespan strings go, they have never lasted one day longer than the MSP4100's that I can get for under $6.

Lucky you yes! My biggest issue is that between being a home maker and having a toddler I don’t even get daily playing time, so often they wear before I get to play much if I don’t use coated strings. We will see how long these Cleartones last, I hope for $30 it’s quits some time!