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View Poll Results: Strings on hand:
Martin Authentic Acoustic Light/Med MA545 .0125-.0550 10 45.45%
Martin Retro light MM12 nickel .012-.054 2 9.09%
Martin Retro Custom Light MM11 Monel .011-.052 1 4.55%
John Pearse 600L Phosphor Bronze .012-.053 8 36.36%
D'Addario Flat Tops EFT16 .012-.053 1 4.55%
Voters: 22. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 02-21-2021, 03:15 PM
Wags Wags is offline
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Default Poll: Help Me Decide Which Strings For HD-28 from my stock supply

This is what I have laying around. What do ya'll think?

I'm leaning toward the Martin Authentic Acoustic Light/Med MA545, hoping the get a little more volume. I also have had good experiences with John Pierce strings.

Last edited by Wags; 02-21-2021 at 03:45 PM.
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Old 02-21-2021, 03:41 PM
Tannin Tannin is offline
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Surely a guitar that deserves the ring of bronze.

Would it be better balanced with nickel or monel? Sure it would. But do you want it to be well-balanced? Or do you want it to sound like a big Martin dread?
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Old 02-21-2021, 03:44 PM
Wags Wags is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tannin View Post
Surely a guitar that deserves the ring of bronze.

Would it be better balanced with nickel or monel? Sure it would. But do you want it to be well-balanced? Or do you want it to sound like a big Martin dread?
I'm always after the big dread sound, especially since I play finger style, no picks.
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Old 02-21-2021, 03:51 PM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is offline
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Well, all of those are too light for a dread but I s'pose the first option is the nearest.
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Old 02-21-2021, 04:16 PM
Wags Wags is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silly Moustache View Post
Well, all of those are too light for a dread but I s'pose the first option is the nearest.
So, man up? Maybe it's time... How about these: John Pearse® Acoustic Six String Guitar 80/20 Bronze Medium Gauge, .013 - .056, 300M? Or?
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Old 02-21-2021, 04:36 PM
Mrbirdog Mrbirdog is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wags View Post
This is what I have laying around. What do ya'll think?

I'm leaning toward the Martin Authentic Acoustic Light/Med MA545, hoping the get a little more volume. I also have had good experiences with John Pierce strings.
Tried some Daddario 13-56's on two of my Martins including the HD-28 and love them. Have been a Martin string diehard but really glad I tried something different !!!

Mrbirdog

p.s. non-coated and PB
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Old 02-21-2021, 04:46 PM
Tnfiddler Tnfiddler is offline
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I’m a huge fan of DR Strings Veritas mediums on my D41.
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Old 02-21-2021, 04:53 PM
Tannin Tannin is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wags View Post
How about these: John Pearse® Acoustic Six String Guitar 80/20 Bronze Medium Gauge, .013 - .056, 300M?
That is what *I* would put on it (well, those or another brand amounting to much the same thing) but there were no brass strings in the poll, which suggests to me that the OP doesnt care for them.
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Tacoma Thunderhawk baritone, spruce & maple.
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Maton Messiah 808, spruce & rosewood.
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Old 02-21-2021, 05:15 PM
Wags Wags is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tannin View Post
That is what *I* would put on it (well, those or another brand amounting to much the same thing) but there were no brass strings in the poll, which suggests to me that the OP doesnt care for them.
I have several strings set laying around, mostly lighter gauge, but at this point I'm open to suggestion. I have had some tendonitis in the past so I was hesitant to go with heavier strings. Feeling pretty good these days and going up a size probably won't make much difference in playability. So, I'm open to suggestion. I'd like to get a bigger sound out of my dreads (d-18, D-28) Thanks.
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  #10  
Old 02-21-2021, 05:26 PM
Tannin Tannin is offline
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Cheers Wags. In that case, I'm inclined to change my choice to the Pearse set - just that little bit lighter. It's just not worth pushing the boundaries of what your body can do unless there is a clear benefit there.

I'm in the minority, but I don't really buy into the "heavier strings make better tone" belief. Not in themselves. I like heavier strings for myself, but that is because I like to hit hard with the right hand. (I fingerpick but I'm an ex-bass player.) Anyone with a more subtle right-hand technique (i.e., almost everyone!) could use lighter strings and sound fine.

In this decade, we tend to forget that most of those iconic sounds of the Sixties and Seventies legends were made using light guage strings. So play what is comfortable for you.

EDIT: What I'm trying to get at here is that it is probably more useful to have strings your body is easy and comfortable with and be able to work on getting the sound you like distraction-free than it is to go up a guage and have to worry about your hands.
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Tacoma Thunderhawk baritone, spruce & maple.
Maton SRS60C, cedar & Queensland Maple.
Maton Messiah 808, spruce & rosewood.
Cole Clark Angel 3, Huon Pine & silkwood.
Cole Clark Fat Lady 2 12-string, Bunya & Blackwood.
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