Steel Strings for Acoustic

[InpulseArts 1]

What are your goto steel strings for your acoustic guitar? Brand and size?

[Eracer_Team-DougH 648]

John Pearse
Bronze Acoustic Strings Light 12-53

 

[Plantsman13 163]

Phosphor Bronze lights, 12 -53, for me as well.  I prefer coated strings because I truly hate squeaky strings and I'm not the best at changing my strings in a timely fashion.  I've probably used Elixir the most, but a great sale price is never a bad thing either.   😎

[Oldjock 243]

Martin Lifespan 12 - 54 (light) 92/8 Phosphor Bronze. They stay in tune and I have had them last up to a year.

Henk

[Dave White 470]

No matter what strings I try, I always come back to phosphor bronze  Elixir Nanoweb or John Pearse (both 12-53).

I do have Martin's Authentic Acoustic Lifespan mediums (13-56) on a couple Martin guitars.

I recently purchased some Ernie Ball Earthwood phosphor bronze (12-54) and some of the new D'Addario XS phosphor bronze (12-53) - but I haven't tried them yet.

[Wim VD1 577]

Elexir 80/20 Bronze Polyweb 11-52.

I change them every 2 to 3 months.

 

[William Nelson 44]

I've used D'Addario Phosphor Bronze EXP-17 Mediums  (.013-.056) on my Bourgeois.   I think that is what they are strung with at the factory.   But lately I've dropped to Elixir Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze Lights (.012 - .053)

[Randy120 483]

I use D'Addario most of the time. 

My Ovation Standard Balladeer came with EXP.

D'Addario EXP Coated Acoustic Guitar 80/20 Bronze Light, .012 - .053, EXP11

My Taylor Grand Pacific came with Elixir Medium Gauge Phosphor Bronze NANOWEB (.013-.056)

The 13's are a beefy string. I am going to try a light set at some point. 

[Plantsman13 163]

Cautionary note:  Always check with the guitar manufacturer's recommended string gauge on your guitar.  I have heard of medium strings 'over powering' the guitar's design limits; especially, small-bodied guitars.  Bridge lifting can occur in some instances.

Bryan

Dave White - please let us know how your two new arrivals work out.  I've been interested in the XS D'Addario, but seeing some negative reviews on discoloration of fingers from the coating.  I tried SCGC Parabolic Tension lights on their H13 model and they were wonderful...I often regret selling that guitar.

Edited April 29 by Plantsman13

[Randy120 483]

Taylor uses medium strings on a lot of guitars including the Taylor GS Mini. Any quality guitar could go up a string size with no issue. 

But why would you want to? Playing guitar isn't easy no matter string type. I can't think of a single scenario where I would decide to go up a string size. 

Know your guitar. Go to the website or read your manual. The manufacturer will tell you the best gauge to use. You can usually go up or down a size with minor adjustments. Anything more you should get an expert opinion. 

[NeilES335 929]

I liked Martin acoustic Lite strings on my Ovation Balladeer. I don't think it's a one-string-is best situation however. A little experimentation with different brands on Your guitar would probably reveal what string sound best to you.

[NeilES335 929]

On 4/28/2021 at 6:40 PM, Randy120 said:

I use D'Addario most of the time. 

My Ovation Standard Balladeer came with EXP.

D'Addario EXP Coated Acoustic Guitar 80/20 Bronze Light, .012 - .053, EXP11

My Taylor Grand Pacific came with Elixir Medium Gauge Phosphor Bronze NANOWEB (.013-.056)

The 13's are a beefy string. I am going to try a light set at some point. 

Hi Randy; I see you have an Ovation Balladeer. I'm curious... how old is it? Is it a fully acoustic, deep body (some call it  a bowl). Mine is a Standard, fully acoustic, deep body, Sitka spruce top, mahogany bridge, mahogany/maple/mahogany neck, ebony fretboard. It's one of the "original" models, made in 1968, in Hartford Connecticut. I'm told it was one of the first 100 guitars made, with a paper label. I've had it since 1969! It sounds better all the time. 🙂 I've played lots of high end acoustics, (Gibson, Martin, Taylor etc.) but I still like this one.  I dont play it much these days, but I'll never sell it, while I can still play.  Cheers; Neil

[Randy120 483]

@NeilES335 I have a 2009 Ovation Standard Balladeer made in Hartford. This one has the mid cut bowl so it is perfect for playing seated. I purchased it a few months before I found Learn and Master Guitar. It is a very high quality instrument which always stays in tune.  

[NeilES335 929]

@Randy120 Thats really nice Randy; I haven't seen one quite like that before, with the sound hole grill (like an old lute) and cutaway.  (mine is a non- cutaway)  I think they are underrated really... Mine stays in tune forever too in the case... I forgot to de-tune it a couple of times and it was in the case for like a year... still played in tune. Amazingly stable.

[Randy120 483]

@NeilES335 That is a Lutehole cover. They make several kind and sizes. They reduce feedback and look great.

 

Lutehole