Y'all should give the new Martin Lifespan strings a shot...

[Ilovetaylors]

martin strings on a taylor

is it even allowed?

[Hambone]

Originally Posted by stevezenof

Hambone, have you noticed any tonal difference between Martin Lifespans and regular Martin SP strings?

Steve, I haven't tried them on any of the Martins yet. I don't expect that they'll sound "better" than standard SPs, but if they sound almost as good and last 2 or 3 times longer... I'll be happy.

Jack

[Hambone]

Originally Posted by Ilovetaylors

martin strings on a taylor

is it even allowed?

I'm a rebel.

[JohnnyDes]

Originally Posted by Hambone

Steve, I haven't tried them on any of the Martins yet. I don't expect that they'll sound "better" than standard SPs, but if they sound almost as good and last 2 or 3 times longer... I'll be happy.

Jack

For my purposes, I actually preferred the tone of the Lifespan 80/20 to the SP 80/20. They took off some of the metallic edge in the tone that I don't favor. Very nice strings.

I also briefly tried the Lifespan PB and have also played the regular 4100s. For this pair, I really didn't like the Lifespan version better. Balance seemed out of whack.

JD

[Jarvis]

I have been using the Martin Coated Lifespan strings PBs for a long time.

There are very good sounding strings with that natural woody tone. It works best when you fit it on a Taylor guitars. What the string does is it adds more depth in the overall tone and your Taylor just sounds fuller with a more dynamic range.

I've done a couple of YOU TUBE videos and demos of it..enjoy..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-YpSMUH308

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLTnY...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37iOH...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BjJy...eature=related

[kenkjk]

Originally Posted by Jarvis

I have been using the Martin Coated Lifespan strings PBs for a long time.

There are very good sounding strings with that natural woody tone. It works best when you fit it on a Taylor guitars. What the string does is it adds more depth in the overall tone and your Taylor just sounds fuller with a more dynamic range.

I've done a couple of YOU TUBE videos and demos of it..enjoy..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-YpSMUH308

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLTnY...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37iOH...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BjJy...eature=related

I just ordered two sets of the sp7100.. PB lights clearcoat! For my hd28 and my new dn-k guitar! But on the martin section it is 70% in favor of 80/20 bronz strings over 30% for the PB'S What is the big difference??

[kenkjk]

Originally Posted by JohnnyDes

For my purposes, I actually preferred the tone of the Lifespan 80/20 to the SP 80/20. They took off some of the metallic edge in the tone that I don't favor. Very nice strings.

I also briefly tried the Lifespan PB and have also played the regular 4100s. For this pair, I really didn't like the Lifespan version better. Balance seemed out of whack.

JD

This may sound dumb, but!! the way you describe the sounds of the PB'S and I could not get taylor to change my new guitar order to nut and saddle to bone from the std tusQ! I wonder if the PB'S strings will lend to a bone sound? A little? Hum!
Thats one! Next! I aso have been listening to sound samples on bone vs tusq and inory nut and saddles, and OK, If you put bone on and they sound a little sustained and brighter as some describe, then will the PB'S strings enhance that sound further?????Hum!!!!

[Hambone]

Originally Posted by Jarvis

I have been using the Martin Coated Lifespan strings PBs for a long time.

There are very good sounding strings with that natural woody tone. It works best when you fit it on a Taylor guitars. What the string does is it adds more depth in the overall tone and your Taylor just sounds fuller with a more dynamic range.

I've done a couple of YOU TUBE videos and demos of it..enjoy..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-YpSMUH308

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLTnY...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37iOH...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BjJy...eature=related

I think it's more a result of the Lifespans revealing more of the guitar's true tone . The Elixirs rob the guitar of tone.

[kbob]

I have the SP lifespans om my taylor dreadnaught koa and my martin HD28 and they sound great and been on for over 6 mos. still tunes and sounds great!

[terrypl]

Originally Posted by JohnnyDes

Other generalizations I've read here on the forum are to couple 80/20s with warmer guitars (cedar top and/or rosewood b/s) and PBs with brighter guitars ( mahogany ), but of course as always it depends on the guitar and player.

I agree with that. I too have found that, in general, 80/20s sound better on warmer guitars like rosewood, and PBs sound better on brighter guitars.

But it does depend on the guitar, so you should try both. My Martin HD-28 sounds best with 80/20s, but my rosewood/spruce Taylor GS sounds better with PBs. Same woods, different bodies, different results.

[cedar4me]

Like many members in this forum, I have tried numerous strings on my Taylor 514ce and 312ce, and i am always amazed how dramatic the change of the tone of the guitars can be with different strings.

The best ones to my ears - for both guitars- are the Martin SP PBs. Not only do I prefer the tone, I find the longevity of the strings to be really good. My hands seem to sweat acid - I'm really hard on strings - but the SPs last weeks and I play nearly everyday for at least a 1/2 hour. Of course, to each their own when it comes to strings but if you haven't tried the Martin SPs it is well worth taking a chance on them.

[Ridings]

I too really like the Martin Longerlife PBs. They really give my 314ce such an amazing sound, which for me is balanced. It adds to the bass, but still keeps the trebles and don't have that overtone that Elixirs got. It does have a sweet middle though. The strings I have on now are DR Sunbeams. While good, I'll be sure to go back to the Martin SPs next time. That's the sound that really made me love my guitar.