What strings do you like on your J-45?

[Pete'67]

Tested quite some strings ( Lights only) now on the J-45 Vintage.

Ranking:

1. John Pearse 80/20
2. Gibson Masterbuilt 80/20
3. Ernie Ball Earthwood 80/20
4. John Pearse PB
5. Elixir PB
6. D'Addario 80/20 (weak sounding D-string)

99. D'Addario PB (muddy, metallic)

Will check out Elixir 80/20 next time.
Liked the JP 80/20 best: fundamental base, punchy mids and very balanced

Definitely prefer the more clear voice with less overtones of 80/20's on this guitar.

[Rev Roy]

Very much liking the Elixir PB Lights on mine.

[jmkratt]

Originally Posted by dodge

I have a gibson J-15 and recently strung it up with some John Pearse Bronze 600L light gauge strings and I'm really liking them.

Those are my current favs, too!

[Blueser]

Originally Posted by Jim Owen

They are really fine strings. I find they quiet my J 50; if, like Sal, you're all about the growl, they aren't very snarly.

I had the same experience on both my J-45 and my Goodall Concert Jumbo. Seemed like the guitars lost a third of their volume with TI Spectrums and they muted the top end, which seemed to have less in the way of that upper end chime. I thought they sounded good, but I didn't think they were worth the money. In fact, if they were $10 per set, I still wouldn't use them.

[bobster7]

I only use Thomastik-infeld strings now on all of my guitars (Thomastik Plectrum AC112 12-59's on my J-45)

Others that I quite liked in the past on the J-45 specifically were DR Sunbeams, Gibson Masterbuilt and J-200 strings and John Pearse 'New mediums'.

[sfden1]

Originally Posted by pjroberts

I've recently been using Curt Magnan's on a few guitars, and really dig the balanced tone on the high, mid and low-ends, with so far great playability and longevity (3 months in on my SCGC dread and Collings CJ35). Next they're going on my smaller Gibsonesque SC and 814. Though I don't own a J45, the CJ35 is a similar sloped jumbo Gibson-like guitar, and they sound great. I know they are not super well known, but the shop I bought the CJ, a major Collings dealer, called the Mangan strings their typical recommendation for Collings jumbos, and they are also very popular with the SCGC forumites.

Try a set, they're totally reasonable price-wise. I use their 12-54 Medium-Light PBs. Good luck.

Yep, the Curt Mangan PB Light 12-54's, among my favorites. I no longer have a J-45, but when I did, these were the strings I used. Started out with the D'Adarrio EJ16's, which I liked, but ended up preferring the Mangan's. They lasted a long time between string changes and still sounded good. As pjroberts mentions above, they are also well balanced, I felt that they brought a warmer tone than the D'Adarrio's, which suited the J-45 well.

I also have them on my '49 Southern Jumbo and my SC OM/PW. I've also used them on an LG-2, liked them on that guitar as well, but since have gone to a slightly lighter string on that guitar.

They're well worth checking out.

[Mcrafty1]

Elixir nonoweb PB meds. I've tried a few others but I keep coming back to these. I like the feel and the sound more than any of the others.

[craigj]

Elixir HD Lights (13-53) fatten up the trebles and leave the bass alone.

[Davis Webb]

Elixir nano 80/20, I just got the guitar, so its the first attempt. I must say that they give me fantastic tone and the bass really comes forward. I will probably go to the EJ16s if I perform with it, since they handle abuse a lot better then coateds.

[Guth]

For years, make that decades, I've used nothing but D'Addario EJ17 PB strings on all of the guitars I've owned with the exception of the 000/OM guitars in which case I used the EJ16 PBs. A number of years ago i received a free set of Martin Lifespan SP Phosphor Bronze strings. They sat in my closet until I was all out of the D'Addarios. Ever since I strung up the Lifespans for the first time, they've slowly worked their way onto all of my guitars. The lone exception has been my J-45TV, which is still sporting the EJ17s. It's only a matter of time until I try the Lifespans on the J-45. I doubt that I'll be disappointed with them.

[Warrenaines]

Originally Posted by Pete'67

Phosphor/Bronze does not seem to be the best choice for the J-45 Vintage.
PB overtones do not work well with the Adirondack top. Just my guess.

Interesting. Seems like most people prefer P/B with the standard J-45. I have a J-45 Elite with Adirondack top so looks like I'll need to broaden the string experiment.

[Warrenaines]

Originally Posted by themissal

I keep coming back to Masterbilt PB lights. DR Sunbeams are also great on my J45, as are EJ16s.

I sometimes use Elixir PB lights also, and they play and sound smooth and "buttery". But I gotst to have the bark. I need the bark. You're gonna want that bark.

Back to Masterbilts.

Ps I recently received Kurt Magnans but I haven't tried them yet..

I guess you find that lights provide plenty of bark. Do you find that mediums choke the sound, or just aren't as comfortable without a benefit in tone?

[Warrenaines]

Originally Posted by Pete'67

Phosphor/Bronze does not seem to be the best choice for the J-45 Vintage.
PB overtones do not work well with the Adirondack top. Just my guess.

Bumping this thread.

I have a J-45 Elite with Adirondack top, standard scallopped X bracing, bone nut and saddle. Any other thoughts on types of strings for this guitar? Currently have D'add EJ16 (PB lights) and I like them but haven't tried anything else yet. Going to try the Gibson Masterbuilt 80/20 lights next.

Guessing I'll probably just experiment with a bunch of types of strings but thought I'd see if others have thoughts about PBs with the Adirondack top or otherwise. I like the bark/growl.

[Rmz76]

Originally Posted by gfa

The stock Gibson 80/20s seem pretty good on my J-45 Vintage. I tried a set of Martin Retro/Monels, and hated them. For other J-45 owners (esp. Vintage or TV), what strings do you like? Thanks!

+1 to the Gibson Masterwork 80/20s. On my WM-45 I started with Martin Lifespan PB Lights. Left them on for a week... They were alright... Put the Gibson Masterworks 80/20 Lights (same strings used at factory on new J-45s) and discovered that's the sound I was looking for

[GuitarLight]

I would recommend 80/20's on a J-45. ( light guage .12 -.53 )