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  #1  
Old 10-02-2020, 07:34 AM
Goodallboy Goodallboy is offline
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Default String Suggestions

My Emerald X30 is ready for it’s first set of strings since I acquired it. I think it came with some Elixers the previous owner had put on.

Is there any string brand that you CF experts have come to rely on?

The X30 is a big, bold, well balanced monster of a guitar and I can’t wait to restring it with a set of my go-to GHS PB strings, but I’d like to know if there’s any “consensus” on what complements the CF.
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Old 10-02-2020, 08:19 AM
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David Eastwood David Eastwood is offline
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I’ve been using D’Addario Nickel Bronze on my X20 ever since its first string change 2 years ago. Lovely well-balanced sound, they feel good under my fingers, and they last a long time.

I wish I could get them for my X20-7 - I’m using a custom Newtone PB set on that, which seems to suit it very well, so I’m not overly concerned. My choices are much more limited for that guitar.
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Old 10-02-2020, 10:47 AM
mountainmaster mountainmaster is offline
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Consensus? There is no such animal.

My Rainsong sounds great with Elixir phosphor bronze. My X30... not so much. I'm not sure why.

Soon I am going to try the new D'Addario XTs on my X30.
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Old 10-02-2020, 02:07 PM
NoodleFingers NoodleFingers is offline
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I love the sound and feel and durability of Ernie Ball Paradigm Acoustic Phosphor Bronze on my RainSong. They last at least as long as Elixirs and don't have the same slippery feeling the first week. They feel and sound exactly like uncoated strings to me.
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Old 10-03-2020, 06:50 AM
Goodallboy Goodallboy is offline
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As I suspected, it’s a subjective exercise.

I’ll start with PB and see what I hear.

Thanks!
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Old 10-03-2020, 12:31 PM
AZLiberty AZLiberty is offline
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Subjective.

I normally default to EXP-16s, but since those are discontinued I'm not sure what I will start using.
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Old 10-03-2020, 12:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AZLiberty View Post
Subjective.

I normally default to EXP-16s, but since those are discontinued I'm not sure what I will start using.
I liked the EXPs too, but I like the XTs even better. I'm not sure why they don't get more love on here on AGF.

And, IMO they sound really great on CF. And, this coming from a guy who can't stand the industry standard D'addario EJ16s.
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Old 10-03-2020, 02:01 PM
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I always actually liked Monels on my X20, but that was a bright guitar I was trying to calm down. On my much warmer sounding X7, I liked Monels but LOVED DR Sunbeams. I'd try Sunbeams on the X30 since it's tonally more similar to the X7, just a lot bigger and louder...
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Old 10-04-2020, 08:23 AM
Goodallboy Goodallboy is offline
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I appreciate th suggestions, I put on a set of my go-to PB GHS strings and they sound great as I expected.

I’ll take a look at all the suggestions.
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Old 10-25-2020, 11:53 AM
mountainmaster mountainmaster is offline
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Today, as promised previously in this topic, I put a set of 13-56 D'Addario XT Phosphor Bronze on my X30.

The wound strings immediately lost their brightness even as I was tuning them up. They already sound much duller than the old Elixirs they replaced!

Now I could live with that warmer sound for a while if only the unwound strings would behave the same. But as it is these two did not (yet) lose their brightness and they stand out like a sore thumb.

I love D'Addario NYXLs on my electric guitars but I will never buy these acoustic XT strings again.
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Old 10-25-2020, 04:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Goodallboy View Post
As I suspected, it’s a subjective exercise.

I’ll start with PB and see what I hear.

Thanks!
Good thought all subjective. I’m old used Martin Marquis on wood. Still have sets I purchased in the ‘80 and helped brighten my composite acoustic a bit. But, My Emerald came with D’Addario Phosphor Bronze 12 string mediums. Brings out the base. They are less ‘Brassy’ than Marquis but seem to end up in the same place with time. My experience with coated not as good. I’m not looking for longevity. I’ll just put on another set. I play lightly enough.
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Old 10-25-2020, 04:41 PM
Goodallboy Goodallboy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GuitarDoc View Post
Good thought all subjective. I’m old used Martin Marquis on wood. Still have sets I purchased in the ‘80 and helped brighten my composite acoustic a bit. But, My Emerald came with D’Addario Phosphor Bronze 12 string mediums. Brings out the base. They are less ‘Brassy’ than Marquis but seem to end up in the same place with time. My experience with coated not as good. I’m not looking for longevity. I’ll just put on another set. I play lightly enough.
For some strange reason I have a set of GHS PB Mediums, I don't use mediums on anything but I have a set it appears.

I'm going to put those on the X30 at the next string change.
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  #13  
Old 10-29-2020, 08:24 AM
GuitarDoc GuitarDoc is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Goodallboy View Post
For some strange reason I have a set of GHS PB Mediums, I don't use mediums on anything but I have a set it appears.

I'm going to put those on the X30 at the next string change.
I tried lights one time last year. My luthier said less tension on my 1979 Martin, easier on the fingers. They lasted 6 months. In a four guitar rotation that’s a long time.

Even tried them on my composite Acoustics. I’m just a medium guy. Except my Martin 12.
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  #14  
Old 10-29-2020, 09:04 AM
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My standard strings were EJ16 phosphor bronze, but it always took forever on my Composite Acoustics GX for the harsh midrangey "zing" to go away. Something about them really didn't suit the guitar well.

I recently tried a set of DR Rares, after searching the forum for "mellow" string ideas. Much, much better! They have a nice brightness, but a bit softer and not so "sizzling".

It's funny because I seem to have the opposite issue from everyone else who wants bright strings. There's bright, and then there's "bright", I guess.
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Old 10-30-2020, 12:25 PM
Goodallboy Goodallboy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chipotle View Post
My standard strings were EJ16 phosphor bronze, but it always took forever on my Composite Acoustics GX for the harsh midrangey "zing" to go away. Something about them really didn't suit the guitar well.

I recently tried a set of DR Rares, after searching the forum for "mellow" string ideas. Much, much better! They have a nice brightness, but a bit softer and not so "sizzling".

It's funny because I seem to have the opposite issue from everyone else who wants bright strings. There's bright, and then there's "bright", I guess.
The EJ16’s have been a standard for guitarists for many years, so they probably sound different on your instrument.

“Mellow” strings don’t quite check the boxes for me and that’s why we have so many choices. The DR’s are a great brand as well and I’ll have to try them on the CF guitar at some point.
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