#1
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Y'all should give the new Martin Lifespan strings a shot...
I'm not a fan of Elixirs. I've busted a dozen G strings over the years, and I'm not a fan of the signature tone of Elixirs. But I do keep my 914CE strung with nano PB lights.. I don't play it that much and want the longevity.
I just strung the 914CE with a set of the new Cleartone coated Martin SP PB lights and what a difference tonally. Much fatter tone, very clear bass. The top end is tamed a wee bit, and focused down to the upper mids. I can't report on longevity yet. I'm guessing they won't stay fresh as long as the Elixirs do because of the much less intrusive coating process, but I'll bet I don't bust any G strings either. |
#2
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#3
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I too have found the coated Martins to be great strings. I will use nothing else anymore.
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"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot |
#4
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I'm on my first week with the 80/20 Lifespans and so far love the tone. We'll see how long they last.
JD
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Martin 00-21 (LA Guitar Sales Custom) Martin 00-15M (LA Guitar Sales Custom) Eastman E20p Rainsong S-OM1100N2 |
#5
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Like most PB strings they need a day or two to shake off the birthing process. Day two on these and when I picked up the guitar this morning it was jaw droppingly good. The 914CE sounds as full as a grand piano.
I'm hoping for decent longevity. I'll give them a try on my Martins, but I already use conventional SPs so I don't expect the tonal improvement I got on the Taylor, but 95% of the tone of regular SPs with 2 or 3 times the life would be a good thing. |
#6
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I think you may well find the longevity is longer - I am a big fan of the Cleartones and want to try the Martin version (who knows, they may be made at the same facility!). I find the Cleartones last at least as long and for me sound better, in effect like "normal" strings but without the short playing life.
The Cleartone/Martin solution doesn't peel at the picking/strumming end like Elixir and D'Addarios do as the protection isn't a wrapping (Elixirs coat the strings after production, D'Addario coats the winding before being coiled around the string). That factor alone helps the strings feel fresher longer.
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Gibson ES-335 Studio 2016; Furch OM34sr 2015; Fender MiJ Geddy Lee Jazz bass, 2009; Taylor 414CE 2005; Guild D35 NT 1976; Fender MIM Classic 60s Tele 2008; Fender US Standard Strat 1992; G&L ASAT classic hollowbody 2005; Ibanez RG350MDX 2010(?); Ibanez Musician fretless, 1980s; Seymour Duncan Tube 84-40; Vox AC4TV; Ex-pat Brit in Sweden
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#7
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What is the difference in the lifespan strings and 80/20 vs 92/8? Somehow I like to try the sp 7100 lights 92/8? Is that the % of coating on the strings. the 92/8 having more coating but a ton of folks like 80/20's on any string.. what is the difference?
I am going to order couple sets of the lifespan cleartone sp 7100 and hope they sound great and hold up! |
#8
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#9
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80/20 brighter but less metallic. Both worth trying on any guitar. JD
__________________
Martin 00-21 (LA Guitar Sales Custom) Martin 00-15M (LA Guitar Sales Custom) Eastman E20p Rainsong S-OM1100N2 |
#10
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thanks.. amazing how I have discovered that sitka vs englemann and cedar and adi and mahog, and nut and saddles and now certain style strings all contribute to varrious sound qualities!
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#11
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JD
__________________
Martin 00-21 (LA Guitar Sales Custom) Martin 00-15M (LA Guitar Sales Custom) Eastman E20p Rainsong S-OM1100N2 |
#12
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Thanks for the posting. I've used Martin string for years but haven't tried these new ones yet.
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#13
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I don't know if this is a characteristic of PB's but I've noticed this about all coated strings, especially Elixir's ... they are much better sounding and feeling after about 4/6 hours of playing ... if I judged whether I liked Elixir's from only right after putting them on, I would have abandoned them a long time ago ...
__________________
-- Scriptor For some very simple demos of original music: https://soundcloud.com/rick-langdon -- Play on!! |
#14
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I was ambivalent about the 914CE when it was strung with Elixir nano pb lights. I have to say that the new coated Martin SPs made a remarkable difference in the tone of this particular guitar. Much fuller sound, more emphasis on the mids. |
#15
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Hambone, have you noticed any tonal difference between Martin Lifespans and regular Martin SP strings?
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