Martin Fan Boy

[Mrbirdog]

Originally Posted by Long Jon

Hating's a bit harsh , just mucking about, I sometimes forget to put the " " ... sorry.

All good...no problem....... BTW love London

[JGinNJ]

I use the monels on my D-35, I like the sound & longevity. I use silk & steel (they have a new name now) on my DC-16, the lighter gauge works better when I play jazzier stuff & more up the neck.

I didn't have good luck with the longevity of Martin bronze strings, John Pearse was better but I found them too bright.

And yeah, when it comes to flat tops, I prefer the sound of a Martin dreadnaught.

[brencat]

The D-18 is not terribly picky with strings, I've found. My go-to on that guitar are the Ernie Ball Earthwood 80/20 Light Mediums (12 - 54 gauge). You can try EJ16 or EXP16s also (Lights). I'm currently running DR Sunbeam PBs but finding they are a little too brilliant sounding on the D-18, so they will probably be out of the rotation shortly.

Anyway, plenty to try. And no, you absolutely DO NOT need Mediums on this guitar. It sounds plenty huge with Lights.

[808K]

Originally Posted by brencat

And no, you absolutely DO NOT need Mediums on this guitar. It sounds plenty huge with Lights.

My experience too.

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by brencat

And no, you absolutely DO NOT need Mediums on this guitar. It sounds plenty huge with Lights.

Originally Posted by 808K

My experience too.

Yep...with a good setup and light strings it's a dream to play.

Originally Posted by Long Jon

You "had them put on" ? Sounds a bit lazy ....

Care to elaborate ?

I'll be back soon , I've got to have my hands and face washed before I'm fed.

Lol you're in rare form this week!

[sakar12]

Originally Posted by fnesnor

D'addario EJ16's sound real nice on Martins

Oddly, they sound terrible on my D-18 GE. I've found Ernie Ball ABs, John P. phos, Martin Monels, and Dean Markley phos to be my favorite strings. Nothing else seems to even come close.

[noledog]

Good old' Martin M540 12-54 for me on my D18...they work well with my M80 that stays in 100% of the time. JP 600L are wonderful too, however I like the .54 6th & .25 3rd in the M540's a bit more.
* DA EJ16 too harsh/bright.
* Monels too muted & inhibit the dimensional potential of the D18 as well as mute the low & low-mid presence/timbre, imo, BUT the highs have a nice round quality, plus they are smooth feeling & last a good while.
* Coated anything not my cup o' java....
* Earthwood's, the only 80/20 I enjoy the tone of.

At about $3 a pack that come nicely sealed, the M540's are wonderful in every respect for me, especially since I have to change them every 3 to 4 shows here on the Florida coast where I perform outside 3 to 6 times a week.

Whatever sings in your hands are the right choice for ya mate!

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Mrbirdog

Wrong.......Been to Joseph Guitar ( Martin Authorized Luthier ) Fortville In.(twice ) at the time did not feel a need to change strings

A setup and changing strings aren't the same thing. I have mediums on a couple of guitars. My fingers don't bother me at all.

[Mrbirdog]

Originally Posted by TBman

A setup and changing strings aren't the same thing. I have mediums on a couple of guitars. My fingers don't bother me at all.

I agree....a setup and string changing are not the same. I think you are saying a tech would change/replace strings every time when a set up is done. Not sure what your point is....
BTW, I am happy for your fingers and medium strings, like you I have played them my whole life...
Mrbirdog

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Mrbirdog

I agree....a setup and string changing are not the same. I think you are saying a tech would change/replace strings every time when a set up is done. Not sure what your point is....
BTW, I am happy for your fingers and medium strings, like you I have played them my whole life...
Mrbirdog

When I got my Martin the setup was on the high side. Because yours is new that's what I was thinking. Enjoy the D-18, great pair of guitars you have.

[Chicago]

I few years ago I spent $150 on a ton of different string sets from different brands, changing strings every week or two, to find the "right" set. John Pearse cam out on top. Recently I tried La Bella phosphor bronze on my Larrivee L03 and I prefer the La Bellas on this guitar. My OM continues to use the John Pearse though.