String recommendations for all-hog 12 fret

[Methos1979]

Up until now I've been pretty happy with just using my go-to strings, Elixir 80-20 Nano 12's. They brighten up my delicate fingerstyle playing and last a really long time.

But with this latest guitar - an all-mahogany Santa Cruz 1929 00 12 fret - I'm feeling like trying out some different strings to see what really brings out the best tone of this little beast.

I play fingerstyle and with the flesh of my fingertips and fairly delicate playing most of the time but I will dig in and even strum with fingers or simulated pick (index and thumb pressed together hard) where the song requires such dynamics.

I'm looking for suggestions from people that play all-hog guitars. What strings have you found bring out the best tones of your all-hog guitars. Please list the guitar, your playing style, the strings and gauge you prefer and why. Thanks in advance.

[Norml]

Martin Retro Monel lights usually sound great on all Hog guitars. They have a nice feel to them also.

Used them in a 00015sm I no longer own. Similar playing style.

[rpatkin]

OK, not in your league and not really an all hog, but on my Taylor 322 12 fret (blackwood back and sides, hog top) I recently put on a set of Martin Retro Monels Med/Lights ("L/J's Choice"). Sounded tinny for the first day or so, but now really nice, very "pure", not chimey. I play mostly hybrid/finger, flesh and nails.

[tadol]

No talk of strings on a Santa Cruz guitar should go anywhere until you've tried some Santa Cruz strings - I'm very happy with the lights on my SC '29 OM, and my SC 00 DE - mostly flatpicking/strumming - if those don't work for you, theres alot of ways to go depending on what you want to hear -

[Steve DeRosa]

Another vote for Martin Monels...

[teleamp]

Another vote for Martin Retros MM12, or MM11...

[Martz911]

I put a set of Elixir Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze Lights on my Martin all-Mahogany OOO 14-fret. Seemed to bring out a bit more bass, which is what my ears (and this guitar) needed.

[llew]

D'Addario EJ-16's on my Martin 000-15SM.

[bobwl]

Another vote for Retros/Monel strings. All hog guitars just seem to go with them really well.

[drjond56]

I play a Martin custom 0-15 12 fret. Like you, fingerstyle with flesh. In regard to standard strings, I prefer the Martin Flexible Core (MFX 740) lights, phophor bronze. If I am of a mind to use a coated string I like the D'Addario EXP New York Steel coated strings, likewise phosphor bronze. I tend to use the coated strings if playing more in the blues realm and the Martins for other fingerstyle applications, including some classical tunes.

Jon

[sueinpr]

I like the Ernie Ball Aluminum bronze, I usually use the custom lights on my all hog Eastman AC512M OM.

[Methos1979]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I actually have a set of SC low-tension strings that I just never got around to putting on any of my guitars, probably because of how long the Elixirs last. So those will definitely get a tryout at some point. I'm also glad for all the nods to the Monels because those are a string I'd always thought about trying from all the suggestions here. So I'm glad to hear that they play well on so many AGF'ers all-hot guitars.

Keep 'em coming and I'll post some thought when I get around to trying something out. I'm getting a K&K installed in a couple weeks so I'll probably wait until then anyway. The strings that came on them look new. Not sure what they are. Definitely PB of some type.

[SprintBob]

Pricey but last a long time and work very well on my all hog Taylor 522e 12 fret - Thomastik Infeld Plectrums 11's or 12's.

[MikeMcKee]

I have the 000 version of your guitar. I basically use Elixirs exclusively and put a set of 80/20s on, but wasn't really happy. Next I put on a set of Curt Mangan 80/20s...12/54s. Sound great on it. I've got Elixirs on my other guitars, but looks like this all Hog will stay with the Mangans.

[Villamarzia]

Originally Posted by SprintBob

Pricey but last a long time and work very well on my all hog Taylor 522e 12 fret - Thomastik Infeld Plectrums 11's or 12's.

+1

Lovely fingerstyle strings. I tend to prefer 11s over 12s. Work fantastic on my all-hog 12 fret Martin. Monels come right after on the podium.