What strings do you guys recommend for an Acoustic/Electric?

[killabean]

Any suggestions?

[ohwell]

I've been trying the new ernie ball titanium coated slinky acoustic strings for the last month. I'm happy with the sound so far - it hasn't changed since they settled in.

[Joe's Corsage]

i just tried some curt mangan strings on my acoustic (non-electric) and they seem ok so far. 12-54s. once i get my vehicle situation back in order i plan on ordering from webstrings. why pay so much for strings if you don't have to?

not sure what style you're playing, what type of guitar you have, what your playing background is, what type of sound you like, etc. otherwise i could give better suggestions. =)

[killabean]

Originally Posted by Joe's Corsage

i just tried some curt mangan strings on my acoustic (non-electric) and they seem ok so far. 12-54s. once i get my vehicle situation back in order i plan on ordering from webstrings. why pay so much for strings if you don't have to?

not sure what style you're playing, what type of guitar you have, what your playing background is, what type of sound you like, etc. otherwise i could give better suggestions. =)

I have a Yamaha FGX730SCA, I'm a beginner and I try to play folk music.

[Joe's Corsage]

Originally Posted by killabean

I have a Yamaha FGX730SCA, I'm a beginner and I try to play folk music.

hey thats me only i have an epiphone and i've been playing for 15 years. =)

i personally like mediums but my guitar doesn't like them so i play lights.

i'd try some martin sp, i like them alot but you might hate them.

heres what you should do. find a music store that has buy one get one free strings as most non gc stores do. get a pack of 80/20 and a pack of phosphor bronze lights.

try them both and see which ones you like.

if you want a good way to change strings, (the best way!) try the lutherie section of bryankimsey.com . lots of great info there too.

what a guy he is. =)

good luck.

[phil_harmonic]

I use D'addario EXP16s on the 914CE. I like the Martin SP PBs as well. Not much of a fan of Elixr 80/20s but the PBs are okay. Strings are personal prefence so I suspect you will settle on what *you* like in time. When I started out, I ordered about 12 sets of strings and tried each, keeping notes to remind me what I liked and did not like. Funny that the Elixr 80/20s that came on the 914CE are one of my least favortite strings (they're too bright for me). Maybe on a Jumbo they'd be okay (something with lots of low end).

Good luck

[Go Blue]

Strings are subjective to the players fingers and ears.

Chances are if they feel good and sound good to you... you'll use them.

For my money, I've found nothing better than Elixers. I love the sound. I love how they feel and they last 3 times as long as other the top of line strings. I'm an acoustic player as well. Never owned an electric so I can't speak to what a good string for the electric is... but I will say this... if I had an electric... I'd try Elixers first.

But don't take my word for it... go out and pick up a set and let it rip!

[Lawn Jockey]

John Pearse.....for several reasons.

[ewalling]

Originally Posted by Lawn Jockey

John Pearse.....for several reasons.

Which are....?

[ljguitar]

Hi kb...
I'm going to take a different approach here. Been playing live twice a week for around 45 years plus now, and my guitars are of sufficient quality that strings-are-strings. I have found no advantage to playing botique strings.

The audience can only detect whether my strings are lively or dead (meaning needing changed)...and they are not even very good at that.

I put 80/20 on the Cedar tops and phosphor bronze on the spruce tops, because that is how they sound best. Since two of my guitars need light (.012) and two need custom light (.011), it would get insanely expensive to stock in all the strings I need if I wanted something 'exotic'.

For everyday use, I use bulk non-coated strings like WebStrings (dot com) or Martin bulk. They are cheap - $2.75 a set when ordered a couple dozen at a time. For coated strings I use either D'Addario EXP or Elixir which I buy 10-12 sets at a time.

I have to keep four acoustic guitars up and running, and that means I'm changing about 3 sets every 2 weeks, so less expensive is better.

To my ears there is no ''magic bullet'' string that just puts all the others to shame...and yes, I have tried about everything out there. A couple botique companies have been so convinced their strings are better they have given me some to try, and so far none has exceeded just-plain-old-strings for great tone, sustain, or intonation.

[690MBCOMMANDO]

I like Elixirs as well (the Nanoweb version). In very simplistic terms:

Use Phosphor Bronze Elixir Nanowebs if you want to make the guitar sound warmer, notes "rounder".

Use 80/20 Elixir Nanowebs if you want the guitar to sound brighter and crisper. You can see above that Larry recommends these for cedar topped guitar and usually since cedar is already warm, round, etc. some players like 80/20 to compliment this.

[donh]

Originally Posted by ewalling

Which are....?

I'll try this one! (re: John Pearse strings)

They sound best to my ears.
They feel best under my fingers.
They last longer for me tham other brand's coated strings.
They cost less than those other coated strings.
I like the mix of string gauges.
I like the people in the company.

[Lawn Jockey]

Originally Posted by ewalling

Which are....?

I don't use coated strings. All are P/B's.

They sound better than most I've ever tried.
They outlast most P/B's.
They are insanely LOUD (12 string sets)
I like the way they feel....and I don't get alot of string squeak.
.........and I forgot the other one.

[Mycrotone]

I like Dean Markley Alchemy but next time I'll probably try John Pearse strings. For what it's worth, I asked Tommy Emmanuel which strings he prefered and he said he switches brands often. He thinks a guitar can get too used to any particular one and if you switch often it helps keep the guitar open.

[killabean]

Thanks, everyone you guys are really helpful.