80/20s on Sitka over Mahogany

[steelvibe]

Anyone prefer this combo over other alloy choices? I know some players like them with rosewood b/s but how about mahogany or sapele?

Thoughts?

[Lillis]

I have a set of Labella Golden alloy (80/20) on my Larrivee and they sound as good or better than any string I’ve tried. Also like the 80/20 Ernie ball. They will definitely be in the rotation. I must say a lot of strings sound great on this guitar.

[therbulus]

I have a Martin D-18S and a Recording King ROS-10. On both of these, I find that I prefer the brightness, projection, and note separation of 80/20's.

[Wade Hampton]

I use John Pearse 80/20’s in bluegrass gauge on my Martin D-18. It surprised me, but that was the set of strings that sound the best on that guitar.


Wade Hampton Miller

[cary]

Not Sitka, but I prefer 80/20s on my Adirondack/Mahogany D-18V. They just provide the dry sound I'm looking for.

[gibpicker]

Ernie Ball 80/20's sound fantastic on my Gibson J-30 which is very picky with most strings, but strangely likes 11's over 12's w EB.

[davenumber2]

I use Daddario 80/20’s on my J-45, Eastman E1SS, and E1D. I love the tone I get. They’ve become my go-to over PB.

[jrb715]

I've, at least for the time, moved almost entirely away from PBs and to 80/20s. Of the nine guitars I'm playing pretty regularly, eight have either D'Addario or John Pearse 80/20s. These guitars include rosewood, mahogany, maple and koa backs and sides, and sitka, German, Italian and red spruce top woods.

[Wellington]

Oh yes, spruce/hog is the combo I use with 80/20 when I use it, I didn't realize it was more popular with rosewood; that's too bright a combination for me. I really love John Pearse 80/20 and Earnie Ball Earthwood 80/20.

[robey]

No, I would never try to put a $5 pack of strings on a guitar to see how it sounds.

[musicman1951]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

I use John Pearse 80/20’s in bluegrass gauge on my Martin D-18. It surprised me, but that was the set of strings that sound the best on that guitar.

Wade Hampton Miller

This, unfortunately in some ways, tells the story. The unfortunate part is that the only reliable way to find out what works on any given guitar (to your ear) is to try a bunch of strings.

I think it's a fine idea to try and narrow down the way too many choices out there, but ultimately you're going to have to purchase a pile of strings and see what you think. I try to think of it as an adventure.

[slide496]

For Sitka Spruce and Mahogany I went with the alloy and brand that came with my Breedlove guitars which is Olympia brand phosphor bronze, but am getting a new one (replacement for one that developed issues) and may try the 80/20's if the PB doesn't work out, DR brand

There is a difference in the material for the nut and saddle on the one I am having replaced, and the mahoghany back and sides are layered wood. I can't imagine sticking with the D'addario that it's coming with as I have no other acoustic guitars that the D'addario has worked for me with any type of wood.

I have 3 drawers full of strings for testing in both PB and 80/20 in different weights to work with.

[noledog]

I prefer them as well and like Darco 80/20. I did use Earthwood 80/20 but price went up and I change my strings every 2 to 5 shows... I have them on my D18, and Taks with Sitka/sapeale as well as cedar/sapeale.

[Treenewt]

Slightly different, but I really like GHS Vintage Bronze, which are 85/15. Really nice, warm tone.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by noledog

I prefer them as well and like Darco 80/20. I did use Earthwood 80/20 but price went up and I change my strings every 2 to 5 shows... I have them on my D18, and Taks with Sitka/sapeale as well as cedar/sapeale.

Noledog! It's been a while. How you doing?

I just double checked my Taylor 314ce and Martin D-16GT which are both sitka/mahogany. Both have PBs on them. I used 80/20s on my Taylor for years though and I'm going to try them again next string change (I don't play that guitar much).