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  #16  
Old 08-31-2016, 08:29 AM
Rmz76 Rmz76 is offline
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Originally Posted by tev87 View Post
I recently bought a J-45 Standard (2016), and yesterday I was looking forward to put on my favourite strings to make the guitar sound even better. I removed the Gibson Masterbuilt Premium 80/20 Lights that came from the factory, and installed the Elixir Phosphor Bronze Nanoweb .012-.053.

It is safe to say that I could not believe my ears, as I felt the sound got worse with the new strings. Where did the mellow and full-bodied tone of the guitar go?

The strings that worked great on my old Martin, were far from ideal on my J-45. I pulled the Elixir strings straight off, and put on the additional Premium 80/20 set that came with the Gibson case.

Well, for now, I guess I'll stick with the Premium 80/20, as they suit my tonal preferences. The fact that they cost $8.29 here in Norway, compared to the $25.13 Elixir strings, makes me smile too!

Any other Gibson Masterbuilt 80/20 fans out there, other than me?

It sounds like we prefer the same tone. I have tried a lot different strings on the J-45, what I've found is that with a bone nut and saddle I like Phosphor Bronze, with the factory installed TUSQ nut and saddle (which I prefer on the modern J-45), 80/20s sound the best. My go-to strings are the Gibson Masterbuilt 80/20's. I really love these strings but not on any other guitar... If I can't find those or just want to save a few bucks D'Addario EJ11's are a close second. I don't care for Elixir Nanoweb PBs on the J-45, but I don't mind the Nanoweb 80/20s.
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  #17  
Old 08-31-2016, 09:17 AM
email4eric email4eric is offline
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I've tried a bunch of strings on my J-35 and always have come back to the Masterbuilt 80/20s that came on the guitar.

Sometimes you just have to go with the strings that were on the guitar when you fell for it.

However, I found the Elixers to be the next most appropriate for that guitar to my ear. We're all different!
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  #18  
Old 09-03-2016, 02:47 AM
tev87 tev87 is offline
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Thanks for sharing all your thoughts! I'm still baffled that they made such a difference on my J-45. It's great to read that other people agree, as well
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  #19  
Old 09-03-2016, 05:01 AM
51 Relic 51 Relic is offline
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Originally Posted by themissal View Post
So many Gibson slope owners change the strings and saddle quickly upon ownership, only to change them back. A common experience!

The strings that work best for my J50 are also masterbilt 80/20s, as well as EJ16s, and Martin Retro lights (after a week).

Enjoy your new guitar!
I would agree 100% with the above Gibson Masterbuilt and EJ16 are the only strings that work on my J45 . I also will not be changing pins tuners and saddles etc the J45 Standard is perfect for me as it comes if it's set up and arrives to Gibsons factory specs
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  #20  
Old 09-03-2016, 05:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SKYHIGH View Post
I don't see these Gibson strings on Strings and Beyond, my usual source. Any recommendations as to where to buy these?
amazon.com

Musiciansfriend.com
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  #21  
Old 09-03-2016, 04:33 PM
mz-s mz-s is offline
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Really liked the 80/20 bronze strings on my J-15, but the Phosphor Bronze are just a bit better. I do plan to stick with the Gibson strings, though. They are fantastic.

I buy them at Musician's Friend. $7/pack with free shipping.
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  #22  
Old 09-03-2016, 04:43 PM
Sugar Bear Sugar Bear is offline
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Yeah, I like the Gibson strings on my assorted Gibsons and other forms of AJ-type guitars. I also like D'Addarios.

I'm not fond of coated strings, they just feel odd to me when I play.

But the weirdest effect that I ever found from strings was from some cryogenically treated NASA-inspired wonder strings that I tried. They sounded great on the first guitar that I installed them on. Then I put them on all my guitars. And all my guitars sounded eerily the same.

I guess you could look at that phenomenon two ways. Either you're bothered by it because your guitars have now lost their individual character, or, you can save a fortune on guitars because as soon as you install those particular strings your hundred dollar Rogue sounds just like your neighbor's D-45V with the same strings installed.

Anyway, I went back to my usual strings, i.e. Gibsons and D'Addarios after testing all the wonder strings on the market. But it was a fun experiment.
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  #23  
Old 09-03-2016, 05:38 PM
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Default Gibson Masterbuilt Premium 80/20 Lights

For those who have used and like these string on a slope shouldered Gibson Dread, where would you place them along the "mellow to bright continuum" of acoustic guitar strings?

Let's say a rating of 1 is extremely mellow, while a rating of 10 is extremely bright.
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  #24  
Old 09-03-2016, 05:44 PM
J45HD28 J45HD28 is offline
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Originally Posted by The dman View Post
When I bought my J45 a few years ago I tried different strings to try and one up the strings that came stock on the guitar and after trying several brands of strings I came to the realization that the Masterbuilts sound the best and I've been using them ever since. The only other string that I thought sounded almost as good was DR Rares and I recently tried the Rare's again but I still like the Masterbuilts better.
This was my experience as well. DR Rares bring out an almost thunderous low E on my J45 which is a wonderful sound, but sometimes feel like they sound a bit unbalanced. I got back and forth between the Rares and the Masterbuilt 80/20's. Sometimes they sound a bit too thin on my J45, but they are incredible sounding on my Gibson AJ.
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  #25  
Old 09-03-2016, 05:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulzoom View Post
I like the Gibson 80/20s on my j45 rosewood.
Chalk another in the column of "me too".

Replaced the Gibson MB's with a set of DR Rare lights, no good. Tried Martin acoustic SP lights, again not good. Just ordered 4 sets of Gibson MB's to get it back to where it was.

UPDATE: PUt on the Gibson MB's and I'm a happy guy again.
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Last edited by tgaume; 09-05-2016 at 07:09 PM.
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  #26  
Old 09-14-2016, 03:41 PM
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I don't own a Gibson flattop, but do own several Epi Masterbilt clones. I bought a set of these Gibson strings because of this thread. I haven't saddled them up, but will let you know when I do.

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  #27  
Old 09-14-2016, 05:23 PM
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Mine came with a brand new set of the 80/20 in the case, along with the key chain pick holder. I'll have to try them. Right now I have Martin MFX775 Flexible Core PB 11 to 52 on it.
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