Anyone Using 80/20 Strings for their CF Guitar?

[rmsstrider]

Just curious what some have finally chosen as their string of choice for their CF guitar. I settled on Daddario 80/20 lights for my CA Legacy. I find this guitar is a little on the darker side with PB stings. At least to my ears. I don't care for coated strings much, even though there are many fans here and the coated strings would seem like a natural fit for a Carbon fiber guitar. I do change my strings often, about every 36 -40 hours worth of playing time or about 2-3 weeks on average. I guess I like that new sound.

[tdq]

Definitely 80/20s on my CA, but I don't think they would suit other CF guitars. John Pearse is my brand of choice. I usually use lights (0.12) but currently I've got Mediums (0.13) as I'm on a bit of a flat picking kick. Like you I love playing with new strings. I don't use 80/20s on any of my non-CF instruments. Personally I don't care for coated strings as I don't like how they feel

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Yep. I've had a CA OX RAW for about three weeks. When I first got it, I put phosphor bronze string on it, and thought they lacked sparkle, and the necessary brightness.

After a day I changed the strings out to La Bella Golden Alloy 80/20 (12-52). Now I am in love!

I may try SIT Golden Bronze (80/20, also 12-52), but doubt I'll stray away from 80/20 strings. The improvement was substantial and the tone now is wonderful.

[rmsstrider]

Originally Posted by Ed-in-Ohio

Yep. I've had a CA OX RAW for about three weeks. When I first got it, I put phosphor bronze string on it, and thought they lacked sparkle, and the necessary brightness.

After a day I changed the strings out to La Bella Golden Alloy 80/20 (12-52). Now I am in love!

I may try SIT Golden Bronze (80/20, also 12-52), but doubt I'll stray away from 80/20 strings. The improvement was substantial and the tone now is wonderful.

I thought I had tried most string brands out there. I haven't come across these 2 brands though. I see them listed on line. JOY, I love trying new strings!

[121]

Galli Jazz Flat AJF1047 Extra Light Bronze 80/20 on my Emerald X20,
Sound really nice and there is no string squeak.

They are hard to find, but "Strings & Beyond" has them, even though their website does not show them yet.

[Doubleneck]

I tend to use PB on my wood guitars and 80/20 on my carbons. I think Elixirs are hard to beat.

[Methos1979]

I put Elixir 80/20's on all my guitars, CF included.

[AZLiberty]

Didn't like the 80/20s that came with my Shorty. Metalic sounding, trebelly, over-bright? Whatever it was, I didn't like em.

Changed to my standard EXP-16s and though it was too dark.

Finally ended up with Phosphor Bronze Elixirs.

[DHart]

My RainSong CH-OM1100NS came from the manufacturer wearing Elixir 80/20 Lights and I have to say, they played great and sounded great. I have Pearse 92/8 Phosphor bronze on it right now and it sounds magnificent with them, as well. I think this is one of those guitars that will sound great with pretty much any good quality string set.

I'm still trying out different brands and metals, but the Elixir 80/20s established a high bar right from the get go.

[Methos1979]

Originally Posted by AZLiberty

Didn't like the 80/20s that came with my Shorty. Metalic sounding, trebelly, over-bright? Whatever it was, I didn't like em.

This is exactly why I prefer these strings. Because I play fingerstyle with the meat of my fingertips (no nails) I actually need that jangly, metallic, trebelly and overly-bright sound. Otherwise it just sounds too muddy, especially amplified at like open mics where they only seem to understand people that strum with a pick!

[DHart]

Originally Posted by Methos1979

This is exactly why I prefer these strings. Because I play fingerstyle with the meat of my fingertips (no nails) I actually need that jangly, metallic, trebelly and overly-bright sound. Otherwise it just sounds too muddy, especially amplified at like open mics where they only seem to understand people that strum with a pick!

I like a bright, clear tone, as well. Interestingly, not only does RainSong ship with Elixir 80/20 Lights, but Eastman ships many of their guitars with D'Addario EXP lights, which are 80/20 coated strings similar to the Elixir 80/20s. My E10 00-M all-mahogany came with EXPs and that guitar sounds great with those strings, as well. I'm sure the manufacturers choose coated strings to keep the guitars sounding good on the rack in stores for as long as possible. And in the case of RainSong and Eastman, they feel that 80/20s bring out the best in their instruments.

But different string choices for different players, of course.

I've got DR Sunbeam 92/8 Phosphor Bronze on my Eastman mahogany right now and the overtones are too much for my taste. I'm looking to go with Monels (nickel) next with a view toward reducing overtones and emphasizing fundamentals. I enjoy some overtones with finger style playing, but when playing with a pick, I like to hear more fundamentals than overtones. So for me, with this guitar, I think monels or 80/20s suit my taste best.

[Methos1979]

Originally Posted by DHart

I like a bright, clear tone, as well. Interestingly, not only does RainSong ship with Elixir 80/20 Lights, but Eastman ships many of their guitars with D'Addario EXP lights, which are 80/20 coated strings similar to the Elixir 80/20s. My E10 00-M all-mahogany came with EXPs and that guitar sounds great with those strings, as well. I'm sure the manufacturers choose coated strings to keep the guitars sounding good on the rack in stores for as long as possible. And in the case of RainSong and Eastman, they feel that 80/20s bring out the best in their instruments.

But different string choices for different players, of course.

I've got DR Sunbeam 92/8 Phosphor Bronze on my Eastman mahogany right now and the overtones are too much for my taste. I'm looking to go with Monels (nickel) next with a view toward reducing overtones and emphasizing fundamentals. I enjoy some overtones with finger style playing, but when playing with a pick, I like to hear more fundamentals than overtones. So for me, with this guitar, I think monels or 80/20s suit my taste best.

Emeralds ship with D'Addario EXP's on them. EXP19 PB on the X7's (mediums) and EXP11 PB on the X20's (lights). The X7 sounded pretty good but I didn't like the feel so swapped them out immediately with some Elixir HD Lights in 80/20. I think I might go back to the mediums on the X7 though as with the extra-short scale I think those will work better.

I tried Monels on my SC 1929 00 and hated them. Once again, for my style of playing they sounded awful. Very muddy.

[Mkel12]

Originally Posted by DHart

My RainSong CH-OM1100NS came from the manufacturer wearing Elixir 80/20 Lights and I have to say, they played great and sounded great. I have Pearse 92/8 Phosphor bronze on it right now and it sounds magnificent with them, as well. I think this is one of those guitars that will sound great with pretty much any good quality string set.

I'm still trying out different brands and metals, but the Elixir 80/20s established a high bar right from the get go.

Fantastic photo! Should be on the Rainsong site!

[DHart]

Originally Posted by Methos1979

Emeralds ship with D'Addario EXP's on them. EXP19 PB on the X7's (mediums) and EXP11 PB on the X20's (lights). The X7 sounded pretty good but I didn't like the feel so swapped them out immediately with some Elixir HD Lights in 80/20. I think I might go back to the mediums on the X7 though as with the extra-short scale I think those will work better.

I tried Monels on my SC 1929 00 and hated them. Once again, for my style of playing they sounded awful. Very muddy.

Who knows, I may dislike the monels also. Plan to give D'Addario Nickel Bronze a go, as well. I just want to reduce the overtones on this guitar (E10 00-M). 80/20s may do the trick.

[DHart]

Originally Posted by Mkel12

Fantastic photo! Should be on the Rainsong site!

Thank you.