What do you put 80/20's on?

[Riverwolf]

My Ibanez AC240 all hog recently came alive with D'Addario EXP11 coated 80/20

[arwhite]

I like DAddario 80/20s. Lower tension than PBs. I play them on my D18. They do start out a little bright but warm up quickly. Last as long as PBs for me.

I'll be trying them on my newly acquired Huss&Dalton OM soon. It could use a little brightening in the tone. It's a little dark sounding as is.

[Dylan]

I have a 1978 Hohner copy of a Martin D28. I only use 80/20's on it. PB make the guitar sound way to muddy, whereas the 80/20's give clarity to my guitar

[Golffishny]

I like them OK on my 00-28 and 000-15 for a change of pace. I still use PB's on those most of the time. Prefer PB's on my LG-2. I do mostly like a darker sound, but a change at times keeps it fresh.

[Oldguy64]

I used to use them exclusively, they sounded good and they were cheaper.
All in all, a good combination.
They were perfect on my 5013, and the Fender brand Strings I used mellowed in about four days to where PB’s start.
At that time, I was changing strings fairly often. So the Fenders always sounded good.

Currently, my conundrum is that I find 80/20’s too bright on some guitars. And PBs are too warm.
I’ve been trying Aluminum Bronze these days. And I like them on a lot of guitars.
80/20’s are an “acquired taste” these days it seems.

[ChrisE]

I had a friend who had just gotten back into playing and bought a Martin X-series dread. I recommended Elixir Nanoweb PB (because that's what I use) after a few weeks he said he was really disappointed with his new Martin because it sounded too dark and muddy.

I suggested he try Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 and they really did the trick. He loved the brighter tone.

So I think what I'm trying to say is that if your guitar is dark or muddy sounding, 80/20s would be a good way to brighten things up. I tried them on my D-18 and they were too bright for me on that guitar.

[guitararmy]

I have an Eastman E20D rosewood dread that I think is a bit dark sounding,
so I brightened it up with a set of Martin M145 80/20's in the elusive 12.5-55 gauge...

[Fresh1985]

I use them on everything, my Sitka/Hog OM and my Sitka/EIR 00.

I would say that when they are brand new they can sound a bit bright on hog guitars but once they are 2-3 weeks old they sound great, I find that they accentuate the fundamental sound that mahogany is known for.

I also like them on my 00-28 as I find they brighten up the characteristically darker sounding rosewood and balance it out nicely while again adding a boost to the fundamentals.

Generally I like the sound of older strings as I find you hear more guitar than string, for that reason I avoid coated strings as they sound new for too long.

I have used many brands over the years but standard Martin 80/20's seem too work fine for me these days.

[saullacoursiere]

Originally Posted by Rmz76

The only guitar I've found that I like them on is the Gibson J-45 and even with that instrument, it's Gibson branded 80/20s, D'Addario EJ11s or Elixir Nanowebs if I want coated.

I prefer 80/20s to PBs on my J45 (Sitka/Hog 2016) as well. I perceive more twang and brightness on the mids and highs, which I think compliments the thumpy bass well.

I've also had good results with JP nickels on that guitar.

[robey]

Originally Posted by Don Liv

The question I have for the AGF community: for those out there that really like 80/20's, which guitar (make/model/woods) are you using them on?

All of them, Katie.

Guild M20, Martin 00-18, Goodall Parlor (Sitka/Koa), Bourgeois Slope D (Sitka/Mohog), Bourgeois JOM (Adi/Mohog), Martin D35 and a Regal 00 (Spruce/Mohog).

I prefer John Pearce med and lights, though the D'Addarios work for me also. Sound great in the room and record really well.

[jmjohnson]

D28 Marquis, OM-21& LG-2.

I find 80/20s to be not necessarily brighter, but clearer - less overtones.

To me, this gives what I think is a more vintage tone.

The trick is finding a set that lasts a decent time...that was Markley Helix, but they stopped making them; Gibson Masterbuilt which came on the LG2 seem OK. Likely go GHS when current stock of Helix run out, if the Gibsons don't last too well.

[slowesthand]

I have put a set of 80/20's on my Yam. FG820. Sounded a bit jangly at first, but than calmed down quite a bit. I also enjoyed the lesser tension on my old fingers. I'll prob. try a set on the hd28 to see how they sound.

[rmsstrider]

I prefer 80/20's on my Composite Acoustic Carbon fiber guitar. PB's on everything else.

[jdto]

I have tried a bunch of different strings on my J-45 True Vintage and I’ve come back, yet again, to Gibson Masterbuilt 80/20. They just sound “right” to me on that guitar, although the PBs don’t sound bad.

On my Yamaha LL16 ARE, I’m still figuring things out in terms of strings, but the Masterbuilt 80/20s that are currently on it sound pretty good.

For my 12-strong, I prefer PBs. 80/20s were too bright. I’ll probably go with Elixirs at the next string change, just because it doesn’t get played as much and this will help keep the strings fresh. PBs, of course.

On my little Art & Lutherie Roadhouse I think it has Elixir or EXP 80/20s. I haven’t changed them in months.

[mr. beaumont]

Try them on archtops!