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Old 08-29-2016, 03:12 PM
LivesForever LivesForever is offline
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Default Has anyone used Martin SP-4150 PB Strings (Light Medium), or alternatives?

Have any of you used Martin's Light Medium PB strings? The idea of a string between 12 and 13 sounds pretty great! I recently had my HD-28 set up for light strings, and I'm not entirely satisfied with the tone and volume. It's not quite as loud and meaty as it was with mediums. Do you think I'd get an improvement by trying the Light Mediums?

Alternately, what other strings would you suggest, and why?

Note- I had the action lowered and neck adjusted when I got it. I tried it while I was out of state and loved it, but ordered it later, and it needed a setup after being shipped across the country. It was killing my wrist! I had the neck straitened and the strings lowered, and light strings put on, and now it plays really easily. Since it's so easy now, I want to see if I can get that tone and volume back! Maybe I should just put mediums back on and see if my wrist can handle it. The luthier did say that it would be fine to do, and would not require further setup.

Thanks!
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Old 08-29-2016, 03:35 PM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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I recently tried a set of D'Addario Nickel Bronze 12-53's and found they had very good volume and sustain. Possibly one of the loudest strings I've tried.
Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze also have good volume.
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Old 08-29-2016, 05:09 PM
bobernet bobernet is offline
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4150s are all I play. Love them. The new string sparkle is nice.


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Old 08-29-2016, 05:31 PM
tomiv9 tomiv9 is offline
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I like them alot on my d28. Currently my fav though is DR Rare bluegrass gauge, really brings out the bass
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Old 08-29-2016, 05:45 PM
DanR DanR is offline
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I have used the SP-4150 PB strings on my OM-28 almost exclusively since I got it almost four years ago. It's just the right gauge and tone for me. I've dabbled with a couple of other brands but always came back to the Martins.
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Old 08-29-2016, 07:08 PM
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brencat brencat is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LivesForever View Post
Have any of you used Martin's Light Medium PB strings? The idea of a string between 12 and 13 sounds pretty great! I recently had my HD-28 set up for light strings, and I'm not entirely satisfied with the tone and volume. It's not quite as loud and meaty as it was with mediums. Do you think I'd get an improvement by trying the Light Mediums?
I use the MSP 4150s on my Collings CW. It's not the most forgiving guitar to play, so I certainly appreciate the reduced tension compared with full mediums.

When I had my HD-28 a couple years back, I definitely recall feeling the same as you... the guitar didn't like lights (12s). Needed a bit more kick.
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Old 08-29-2016, 07:22 PM
martingitdave martingitdave is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LivesForever View Post
Have any of you used Martin's Light Medium PB strings? The idea of a string between 12 and 13 sounds pretty great! I recently had my HD-28 set up for light strings, and I'm not entirely satisfied with the tone and volume. It's not quite as loud and meaty as it was with mediums. Do you think I'd get an improvement by trying the Light Mediums?

Alternately, what other strings would you suggest, and why?

Note- I had the action lowered and neck adjusted when I got it. I tried it while I was out of state and loved it, but ordered it later, and it needed a setup after being shipped across the country. It was killing my wrist! I had the neck straitened and the strings lowered, and light strings put on, and now it plays really easily. Since it's so easy now, I want to see if I can get that tone and volume back! Maybe I should just put mediums back on and see if my wrist can handle it. The luthier did say that it would be fine to do, and would not require further setup.

Thanks!

I played these strings for several years. They are great. Eventually, I got all my finger strength back and now I play 13s. But, the 12.5s are exactly what one might expect for a set exactly in between 12s and 13s. They are cheap. Buy a set and experiment.
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Old 08-29-2016, 07:54 PM
D-utim D-utim is offline
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Fantastic tone and feel. I use them where mediums are recommended. 80/20 Lights on all others.
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Old 08-29-2016, 08:49 PM
Rosewood99 Rosewood99 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LivesForever View Post
Have any of you used Martin's Light Medium PB strings? The idea of a string between 12 and 13 sounds pretty great!
I thought light mediums are the same as light on the last three bottom strings and medium on the top three. So it wouldn't be between 12 and 13. At least that's how D'Addario's are. Are the Martins actually 12 and a half?
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Old 08-29-2016, 08:54 PM
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brencat brencat is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulzoom View Post
Are the Martins actually 12 and a half?
Yes they are. I'm looking at a pack right now at home:

E - 55
A - 43.5
D - 33.5
G - 25.5
B - 16.5
E - 12.5

This is the MSP 4150 Light Medium.
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Old 08-30-2016, 04:16 AM
chitz chitz is offline
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I use 4150's on my Martin DM. Love em for that guitar.

Lifespans on all the others.
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  #12  
Old 08-30-2016, 05:14 AM
HHP HHP is offline
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Used then for years till I switched to John Pearse New Medium gauge. The JP's gave a bit more definition and balance by boosting the trebles slightly.
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Old 08-30-2016, 06:18 AM
Rosewood99 Rosewood99 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brencat View Post
Yes they are. I'm looking at a pack right now at home:

E - 55
A - 43.5
D - 33.5
G - 25.5
B - 16.5
E - 12.5

This is the MSP 4150 Light Medium.
Nice! I'll have to try some. Do they come in 80/20?
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  #14  
Old 08-30-2016, 09:22 AM
baimo baimo is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulzoom View Post
Nice! I'll have to try some. Do they come in 80/20?
I don't believe the 80/20s come in the light/medium. They have some other in between sizes like custom light which is between light and extra light, but for the light/medium you need to go phosphor bronze size 4150
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Old 08-30-2016, 09:27 AM
Rosewood99 Rosewood99 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by baimo View Post
I don't believe the 80/20s come in the light/medium. They have some other in between sizes like custom light which is between light and extra light, but for the light/medium you need to go phosphor bronze size 4150
I did some searching and apparently they used to have them but discontinued them. Some vendors still have them but charge $20.
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