Older strings on a carbon

[Doubleneck]

On wood guitars I love the first week or two with new strings, that bright new full sound. With my L13 I noticed that I prefer the strings after they have come down off that bright first week. Carbon I think doesn't need that brashness?

[sirwhale]

Yes, I completely agree. I've got pure nickels and I intend on leaving them there for a good while

What gets me as a fingerpicker is that twang of the strings on the fretboard when you dig in. It's noticeably brighter than on my wood guitar, doesn't sound bluesy. Putting the nickels on, and mocing up to 13s really helped with this.

[steelvibe]

I'm still pretty new to the carbon fiber world but was thinking this very thing playing my Shorty this morning, that the stock 80/20s that shipped on it are mellowing out some and sound better. Still not convinced that this is the best pairing of strings for the guitar. I also know how great new strings bring a wooden acoustic alive but can have the complete opposite effect when they are dead.

[Earl49]

I get it. Years ago, I discovered that fairly dead strings helped to tame some of the "quack" from a piezo under saddle pickup, which all my performing guitars had at that time. Fresh strings were just too bright and brittle, rather harsh even, when amplified. Now I've kinda gotten used to that less-than-bright acoustic tone, and most of my guitars will wear a set of strings for six months or more -- including the CF's.

Long before there were long-life coated strings like Elixir's, I used GHS White Bronze (52% nickle alloy) strings. To me, they sound 2-3 days old when first tuned up, but stay that way for several weeks. That skips over the excessively bright "first day" sound. I like this for both wood and CF guitars. Obviously I'm not one of those guys who changes strings before every gig.....

[guitararmy]

I'm having the opposite problem with my CA Legacy dread. Trying to find something bright and bold. I've tried 80/20's on it but it didn't do the trick.
Going to try Elixir's next....

[Doubleneck]

Originally Posted by guitararmy

I'm having the opposite problem with my CA Legacy dread. Trying to find something bright and bold. I've tried 80/20's on it but it didn't do the trick.
Going to try Elixir's next....

When I owned a Legacy I too had to use the brightest strings. Elixirs. Very different voice than the L13.

[Finger Stylish]

The Polywebs seem to make me the happiest. The set on my Rainsong are 1 month old and I'd guess have about 50-60 hours of playing time.
Today I cranked up my loop recording of Amie, and playing the lead to that recording and it sounded better than I remembered last time I played it.
I've been bouncing back and forth between the polywebs and the Med/light Earthwoods. Like them both very much, and unlike my Martin or Taylor, I don't look forward to a string change because as I think you're suggesting, the Carbon's get the most out of a set of strings.
These Carbon axes are such a joy.

[Pick guard]

How about flat wound strings, has anyone tried them on a carbon fiber?

[heavvyduty]

I've had my stock strings on 1yr this feb,, Still sounds great Elx Neno

[ACP]

One month later - and lots of playing time - I still have the same set of D'Addario EXP 80/20s (in 12-54) that came with my Emerald X20. I really love the way it sounds...not too bright or brash. A nice sweet, smooth sound. Very pleased with how they are holding up.

I've put the new Ernie Ball Aluminum/Bronze 12-54 strings on my CA Cargo and REALLY like them. I have them on my Breedlove dread as well. I will try a set on my X20 also, when I comes time. Quite impressed with the low and high end tones. Very clear and great sustain, but not chimey or thin.

[BillDuck]

I was using flatwounds to mellow things out. Then I tried the Martin monel strings and prefer them. They don't take long to settle in.