Martin 00 String Choices

[TDavis]

The previous owner of my Martin 00-18 had (I believe) Nickel strings of some sort on the guitar when I got it. To my ears they sounded a bit old, so I changed them to the D'Addario SP Lights that I've used on other guitars...and the guitar sounds muted and far less projective and full than it did with the Nickel strings on it! Needless to say, I want the volume and projectivity of the guitar as it was!

What are you guys using on your Martin 00's and other small body guitars that get you the best tone and volume from it?

Anybody tried Martin Retros or any Nickel Bronze strings?

[DanR]

I have a 000-18 and I use and like Martin Retro Monels.

[Brucebubs]

I don't have a 00-18 but I have used both Martin Retro Monels and D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings on a Martin guitar with mahogany back and sides.
Both are good.
I find the NB's are louder than the Retro and might have that projection you're looking for.

[weisser]

Originally Posted by davistld01

The previous owner of my Martin 00-18 had (I believe) Nickel strings of some sort on the guitar when I got it. To my ears they sounded a bit old, so I changed them to the D'Addario SP Lights that I've used on other guitars...and the guitar sounds muted and far less projective and full than it did with the Nickel strings on it! Needless to say, I want the volume and projectivity of the guitar as it was!

What are you guys using on your Martin 00's and other small body guitars that get you the best tone and volume from it?

Anybody tried Martin Retros or any Nickel Bronze strings?

I've been using Martin Retro Lights on my 00-18V and CE0-7 for several years now and I find them ideal in terms of tone. They're not as bright as fresh 80/20's or PB's but have a mellow projective sound. They also last much longer then bronze strings and don't turn your fingertips black. They may take a little while to get used to but I would absolutely give them a try.

Highly recommended.

[TDavis]

Originally Posted by weisser

I've been using Martin Retro Lights on my 00-18V and CE0-7 for several years now and I find them ideal in terms of tone. They're not as bright as fresh 80/20's or PB's but have a mellow projective sound. They also last much longer then bronze strings and don't turn your fingertips black. They may take a little while to get used to but I would absolutely give them a try.

Highly recommended.

Not turning my fingertips black might just be the benefit that did the deal for me!

[Mycroft]

Pearse Phosphor Bronze lights on my old 00-18.

[rmyAddison]

I use MSP4150's (12.5s) on my CS 00-42, in fact all my Martins.

Age has dropped me from 13's, to 12.5's but I will always use the heaviest gauge strings my old arthritic hands/fingers can handle, and picks of 1.5 or thicker........

[Fishfood]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

I don't have a 00-18 but I have used both Martin Retro Monels and D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings on a Martin guitar with mahogany back and sides.
Both are good.
I find the NB's are louder than the Retro and might have that projection you're looking for.

This has been my exact experience on my 00-18. If you're trying to cut through the warmth a small bit, the NBs are the one!

[Kh1967]

Pearse Phosphor Bronze.

[drjond56]

I like D'Addario EXP coated NY Steel sets. They are coated but do not feel "slick" with excellent tone and good lifespan. Come in 80/20 for bright or phosphorbronze for mellow.

Jon

[fwphoto]

I've gone through the Martins that were on my 00-18 when I bought it, to GHS Silk & Bronze that I like on a different guitar, to the Pearse PB Lights that are on now.

I really like the Pearse PB Lights. I think I'll stick with them for a bit.

Frank

[JoePa and Son]

Santa Cruz Mid tension on our OODB (Tweedy signature)

[JTFoote]

I'm using John Pearse 80/20 lights on my Martin 00. I like 80/20 strings on mahogany guitars, (with mahogany or spruce tops) both - for the clear, woody, resonant tonality they produce, and because of the balanced tension across the neck. JP 80/20 string have a wonderful, smooth, dynamically-sensitive feel, and the sound is "cleaner", minus some of the lushness and warmth of phosphor-bronze; which to me, on a mahogany guitar, is nearly overkill.

My 00 originally came with Retro lights, which I felt were stiff ... something I've noticed on previous occasions when I've auditioned Martin strings. And the natural resonance of the guitar seemed muted. My luthier did the initial set-up with light D'Addario phosphor-bronze (possibly because it was closest to what I'd told him would be going on the guitar), but I didn't care for how they sounded (a little muddy in the mid-range, and a bit too light in the bass) ... and the wraps on D'Addario strings have always felt rough to me. I didn't mind him using them - it helped settle any possible mental argument I was having about switching to the 80/20 strings.

80/20 strings and this Martin are a very fine match, indeed.

... JT

[51 Relic]

I use Martin SP 12/54 on my OODB Tweedy

[robey]

JP 80/20s. ymmv.