Elixir Strings on a Martin, Taboo or No-taboo!

[Earl49]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

Everyone knows that a Martin guitar has to have Martin strings, and you have to play it wearing a Martin hat, T-shirt, while drinking coffee from a Martin mug on a Martin coaster

This probably explains the "controversy". Same reason you cannot drive a Ford pickup while wearing a Chevy ball cap. Taylor owners (like me) are screwed, since Taylor does not market Taylor-brand strings -- although Elixirs are so closely associated that they almost count.

With the obligatory jesting out of the way, it's your guitar. Use whatever strings you please on it. As Ricky Nelson said in song, "You can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself".

[Vol46]

My D18 came with Martin Lifespans when I bought it new almost 2 years ago. Martin strings tend to irritate my fingertips more than most other brands ( I have a nickel allergy that may have something to do with it) so after a few days I switched to Elixer nanoweb PB’s & the tone was so good that I have used them ever since. I recently tried some John Pearse medium 80/20’s & really liked their sound as well. I’ll probably alternate between those two brands for the next few string changes to see if I can determine a clear winner.

[Swamp Yankee]

- Every other set of strings I've tried so far has disappointed me. Some others have sounded great for a week or two, then they sound like crap.
- Every guitar I've owned has sounded great with Elixirs.
- Elixirs last something like 3 times as long as any other string I've ever tried so far.
- Elixirs feel good under my fingers.
- Elixirs don't make odd noises when I slide up and down the neck.
- At this point, I'd rather play my guitars than monkey around trying different strings.

Having said that, I do have a set of Cleartones I'm waiting to try out on my Martin 000-17SM but since I just put new Elixirs on it in December, it won't be ready for a string changes until June or so

[Captain Jim]

Originally Posted by Step

What's the reason for this being controversial??

That would come from believing everything you read on internet forums.

I have never had the String Police come to my door to check.

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OMG - They ARE watching... 30 seconds after I posted this, I got an e-mail from Strings & Things. I'm afraid to open it!

[caperrob]

I play a GPCPA4 Rosewood and was using them quite a bit when I first got the guitar after hearing people talk about them and I liked them a lot. Then I read a lot on here about different brands so I tried a bunch of different ones, went through a phase. For about a year, every string change I would go with something different.

I have a set of Silk and Steel customs on it now and maybe they are a little mellower than the Elixirs, but they work for me. I can't say I didn't like the Elixirs though, it did sound pretty good but my ears like it mellow, so that's what I use. To each his own though, there really is no wrong answer. If you like em, use em. If not, use whatever you like

Cheers and Happy Strumming!!

[gfspencer]

I wouldn't put Elixir strings on anything . . . but you can.

[gfspencer]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

Everyone knows that a Martin guitar has to have Martin strings, and you have to play it wearing a Martin hat, T-shirt, while drinking coffee from a Martin mug on a Martin coaster

I have Martin guitars. I use Martin strings. I don't have any of that other stuff.

[Davis Webb]

Originally Posted by musicman1951

Use any strings on any guitar. Get the sound you like.

Probably the least helpful contribution I have ever seen on here.

[Goodallboy]

Originally Posted by Davis Webb

Probably the least helpful contribution I have ever seen on here.

You should get out more.........Oftentimes people give advice about which guitar to buy between 2 guitars they've never played. I think that qualifies as contending for the least helpful title.

This one was a useful jewel when compared to that blind suggestion.

[pfflyer55]

Lots of responses that make sense, I have heard of many Taylor players using Martin strings on their guitars and with mostly good feedback. Not trying to stir the pot too much, just think it is a light hearted topic to mix it up a bit.

I have been considering a Taylor for some time and now I have a Martin that closely resembels the 314ce. All Taylors come with Elixirs from the factory, but so do Rainsongs. They are a well made string and have had great success with Taylor products. I'll try them on my D-18 as well.

I used the 11-52's custom light on my GPCPA4.

Thanks for all the responses AGF, never a dull moment here!

[MFG]

The only strings I play on my '59 D-28 (and other Martins) are Elixir Nanoweb PB's. Been using them for years.

[musicman1951]

Originally Posted by Davis Webb

Probably the least helpful contribution I have ever seen on here.

Virtually every "which string should I use" question ends up being some variation of "I like XXXX strings."

I answered the op's question- is it a no-no to use Elixir strings on a Martin. Personally, I've never liked Elixir strings. And my luthier, Steve Kovacik, rails against them - so I don't want to bring a guitar to him with Elixirs.

But that wasn't the question. Neither was the question about what kind of strings to try.

It's always nice to answer the question you're asked.

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by pfflyer55

I hope this doesn't insult the Martin enthusiasts, but had to do it anyway.

If any Martin enthusiasts get "insulted" by you using Elixir strings, they have way way more to worry about than sting brand ..

[L20A]

I tried Elixir strings on my D-35 and was disappointed with them.
They seemed to hold back the full tone.
I use Elixir strings on my 12 string though.[non Martin]
With all the overtones, I can't hear any loss in sound.
I also like that I don't have to change them very often.

[AHill]

I was at my local GC buying strings. When checking out, I'm chatting with the sales guy and told him about my D-28 Marquis. He says, "Oh, tell me you don't have Martin strings on that thing!" I kind of laughed. I think Martin SP's sound fine. That said, last time I restrung it I replaced the Martin SP's with D'Addario PBs. They sound great. Maybe not enough of a difference to merit switching permanently from Martin SPs, but I think I'm gonna continue to experiment. I put D'Addarios on my Taylor 416ce and at first they sounded horrible, but after a couple of days, they sound pretty nice. I think most guitar makers recommend a certain brand of strings because they think their guitars sound best matched with those strings. Nothing wrong with that. As stated many times in this thread, find the strings you like best and don't worry about what anyone else says. Your opinion matters most.