#1
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Best strings for a Cargo??
I bought a CF Cargo travel guitar and the strings are lights (52s on the bottom) D'Addario Phosor Bronze but frankly the sound is VERY different from a wood guitar. The volume is great but the overall sound is very jangly.
Are there strings/ gauges that someone can suggest to make the guitar more "woody" and less harsh? Heavier gauge? Nickel, etc.? Thanks
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Mark Whitebook Dreadnought/1974 Mark Whitebook Maple OO/ 2017 Dan Fogelberg's personal Martin D41 "Two"/1971 Martin John Mayer Limited Edition OM-28 JM/2003 Martin J12-40E 12 string Martin M36/1978 Danny Ferrington Baritone Danny Ferrington Parlor Guitar 1990 Roy Nobel Brazilian Dreadnought Cordoba C10 Classical Crossover Collings SJ Maple |
#2
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Strings
I had a Cargo that I was selling to a friend. I had a set of Cleartone strings laying around so put them on so he would have a fresh set when he got it. The Cargo sounded so good I wished I hadn't committed to selling it.
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#3
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You will get a lot of opinions, but you did ask for a "mellow" tone. While I can't speak to the tone of CA guitars and have not played one, carbon fiber is carbon fiber. I love Martin Retros for a warm mellow tone on my RS, even over strings that cost more than twice as much. Versatile, and hold intonation very well- even in alternate tunings. Just give them a few hours of play in before deciding on how you like them- they sound different than the PB varieties our ears are so accustomed to but man, when they settle into that "sweet spot"....
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Don't chase tone. Make tone. |
#4
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I have three Cargos and use Martin Lifespans on two, but on one I've been using Martin silk & Steel, which provide a very mellow tone, and superb playability. I would suggest giving them a try. Another option is to switch to mediums, which will fatten up the tone. Both options will eliminate some of the jangle.
Good luck, and enjoy your Cargo. |
#5
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I have used Martin Retros on my Blackbird Lucky 13. They are nickel-based and really smooth out the janglies.
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#6
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Interesting. Is that what the L13 was strung up with when you recorded the guitar comparisons? The L13 sounded really nice (of course your playing was very good as well- that certainly doesn't hurt).
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Don't chase tone. Make tone. |
#7
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Thanks Sean. No, I strung the L13 with Elixir lights so that each of the test guitars had the same strings. I do prefer the Retros on the Lucky, but chose to follow proper scientific method and minimize variables.
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#8
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I had Joe build my Lucky 13 braced for mediums, because most of my guitars wear those now. Not completely sure, but I think they only added a little extra CF bracing to the neck for stiffness, so not much of a modification. I gave Blackbird a list of all the tunings I use when I ordered, and the total tensions for each. I most often use Elixir PB Nanowebs, D'Addario EJ-16, or GHS White Bronze on all my guitars.
Since I play in several alternate tunings, light gauge strings get too floppy when tuned down where I often want them. CFCFAC (Open F) is the lowest. I also often use D-d, or standard tuning minus two half steps. L13 sounds fine with either mediums or lights in standard tuning, and tuned down a whole step. |
#9
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This is helpful so thanks for all the responses!
__________________
Mark Whitebook Dreadnought/1974 Mark Whitebook Maple OO/ 2017 Dan Fogelberg's personal Martin D41 "Two"/1971 Martin John Mayer Limited Edition OM-28 JM/2003 Martin J12-40E 12 string Martin M36/1978 Danny Ferrington Baritone Danny Ferrington Parlor Guitar 1990 Roy Nobel Brazilian Dreadnought Cordoba C10 Classical Crossover Collings SJ Maple |