80/20 strings for a J-45?

[emuhunter]

Hi all,

I have a new J-45 (a 2021 ‘50s Original to be specific) that I’m loving but feeling like I need help in finding the right strings for.

This particular guitar seems bright to me which is definitely not a bad thing but seems to be making my string selection a little trickier.

So far I’ve tried Martin Retros which in terms of tone I found settled into a good spot (not too bright) but also felt like they weren’t 100% the right fit. I should note that I love the Retros on both my 00-18 Authentic and 000-18 Golden Era.

I recently tried DR Sunbeams for the first time on my Hummingbird and LOVE them so I slapped an extra set on my J-45. After about 3-4 hours of playing time they seem to have more metallic overtones than I’m looking for. It took about 30 minutes of playing time with my Hummingbird for the initial metallic new string sound to fade and for me to say ‘whoooa, I should have tried these YEARS ago.’ That hasn’t happened yet with the J-45.

This is making me think I should try some 80/20 strings of some kind, which is uncharted territory for me.

I’d really like a fundamental dry sound and don’t mind bright/cut but I really don’t like the metallic brightness and added overtones of new strings. I’m thinking 80/20s will start out bright but lose that brightness and settle into a less overtone-y spot than PBs.

Am I thinking of all this correctly?

If so, which 80/20s should I try first?

Any other types of strings I should look into?

Thank you in advance!!

[Wade Hampton]

Try John Pearse 80/20’s. They start out treble-heavy but mellow out fairly soon.


whm

[emuhunter]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

Try John Pearse 80/20’s. They start out treble-heavy but mellow out fairly soon.


whm

Thank you Wade!

[kizz]

I know these are PB´s, but you could try some daddario Ej16. They start out bright for the first couple of hours, then they mellow out and get a nice warm
and fundamental sound. One-two weeks in they are great IMO. If you go the 80/20 way ernie ball could be worth trying.

[emuhunter]

Originally Posted by kizz

I know these are PB´s, but you could try some daddario Ej16. They start out bright for the first couple of hours, then they mellow out and get a nice warm
and fundamental sound. One-two weeks in they are great IMO. If you go the 80/20 way ernie ball could be worth trying.

No harm in giving them a shot, especially since I used them a bunch in the past and have a stack of them in my music room already! I’ll likely try them out tomorrow.

I’m thinking the Ernie Ball ones would be the Earthwood 80/20s?

[kizz]

I’m thinking the Ernie Ball ones would be the Earthwood 80/20s?

That´s right.

[Brucebubs]

This is very similar to what I went through with my SJ-200. The factory fitted PB's sounded too muddy as they wore in and for some reason I thought I'd try 80/20's on the very first string change.

Now bear in mind I've really hated 80/20's on everything I've ever tried them on!

Went with John Pearse lights and they were excellent!

Currently trying DR 80/20's, finding them a little too warm compared to JP's.

[pagedr]

The best strings for J-45’s that I’ve found are PB’s from Curt Mangan. They give an excellent dry and fundamental sound, and personally I think most any PB string will lean more that way than 80/20’s, but can’t hurt to try both.

[SingingSparrow]

Not 80/20, but for "dry, fundamental", try GHS Vintage Bronze.

As far as 80/20s go, the JPs are very good.

[SalFromChatham]

I’ve tried so many strings in my Gibsons I’ve lost count!

I tend to love Elixir PB lights, Martin SP 80/20s, and the ones Gibson shipped their guitars with… Gibson 80/20 lights.

Gibson 80/20s are great for nearly all Gibson guitars in my opinion

[davenumber2]

I have liked Daddario EJ11 80/20 in the past. For dry and fundamental I’ve gravitated toward their Nickel Bronze set. Sounds great on my J-45.

[Bushleague]

Originally Posted by emuhunter

No harm in giving them a shot, especially since I used them a bunch in the past and have a stack of them in my music room already! I’ll likely try them out tomorrow.

I’m thinking the Ernie Ball ones would be the Earthwood 80/20s?

I'm a bit partial to EB 80-20's myself. They settle in quick and they dont have that anoying sticky/ sandpaper feel the Dadarios have. I'm sure alot of these other suggestions are good too, but for whats available to me localy, I'm a fan of the EB 80-20's on my Gibson. Makes the low end more crisp than any PB string I've tryed. At the same time I think the guitars' overtones come through better than with Elixers which just sound super bright.

[emtsteve]

Originally Posted by SingingSparrow

Not 80/20, but for "dry, fundamental", try GHS Vintage Bronze...

Originally Posted by SalFromChatham

...and the ones Gibson shipped their guitars with… Gibson 80/20 lights. Gibson 80/20s are great for nearly all Gibson guitars in my opinion

Yes and Yes. The GHS Bright Bronze are nearly identical to the Gibson Masterbuilt 80/20's. They are bright for the first few days but then mellow out nicely. I believe the Vintage Bronze are 85/15 alloy - I really like those too.

[cheer tunes]

Agree with Wade and others, try 80/20 JP strings. Assuming your J45 is mahogany back and sides I have had very pleasing experiences with that combo.

QUESTION: What do people like on Rosewood back and sides J45? 80/20 still?

[docwatsonfan]

I like the Ernie Ball Earthwood 80/20 lights, they might be a good fit on the J45

With that said you might like a set of D'Addario Nickel Bronze NB1256

These strings sound great on my 2009 Larrivee D03 , they give it a nice big bottom end, the package is marked LT.TOP/MED.BOTTOM 12 16 25 35 45 56