What strings do you use - a poll

[rllink]

My acoustic came with Elixers PB mediums and I've kept it simple. I did switch to lights, to tame it down a bit so that I could sing over it, but I'm not going to start switching out strings just to see if I might like something better. There is a no winner in that one. I play Ernie Ball Slinkys on my Les Paul.

[BadWithNames]

A couple of posters mentioned GHS and John Pearse - I also voted for both. Seems like liking one implies the other.

Is there a similarity? Same wire?

[JC.]

Thomastik Plectrum for the win.

[nweekes]

I have enjoyed John Pearse strings for over 26 years. I’ve tried all of the big names and many smaller ones. I continue to return to John Pearse.

6 string: Phosphor Bronze 12-53

12 string: Phosphor Bronze 13-56

Electric: Pure Nickel 2500 11-46

I purchase strings in bulk from JP directly. I also vacuum seal each set individually - they last years!

[Doug Young]

I've used D'Addario EJ24s (DADGAD) or John Pearse New Mediums for ages, but have recently been using Newtone Masterclass double-wounds, which are very cool. It took a few rounds of experimentation to find the right gauges, but once I narrowed it down, I ordered a bunch of sets, and so far have ben liking them on every guitar I've trie them on.

[Robin, Wales]

Originally Posted by EZYPIKINS

D'Addario and Rotosound both started making strings about the same time.
Though I'm not surprised D'Addario has so many players.
I "am" surprised at how little love Rotosound gets.
I know here in the states, they're not easy to find.
But there are allot of UK people around here.
Once I tried them I was hooked.

I'm in the UK. I tried a set of the Rotosound Jumbo King PB 12s on a guitar this week. They were 'cleaner' than the EJ16s I was using - like a move towards a mellow version of 80/20s. On that particular guitar I think that I prefer the EJ16s but I'm going to try Rotosound on another guitar that needs a little taming.

BTW - judging by the number of reviews posted across online string selling shops the EJ16 must be the most popular acoustic guitar string set in the world!

[Big-E]

I've used Ernie Ball PB Earthwood 11-52 for years but now trying Elixir Nanowebs 11-52 which seem to be lasting well. Next couple of purchases will be Newtone Masterclass 80/20s in 12-52's and 12-54.

[srbell]

I use Elixir Nano's on everything - acoustic and electric. The guage depends on the guitar. In a pinch I'll use D'addario XT's.

[JBCROTTY]

Curt Mangan is my top brand preference for strings. D'addario is a close second.

[Naboz]

Way back I used EJ16s (6 string) and Martin Marquis (12 string). Then, as the guitars I owned changed, I started The Search for the best strings on each guitar (as my player's knowledge matured also).

With that maturing, I came to see that each guitar has a particular set of strings to be found to make it sound its best. About 10 years ago, my favorite tech at Elderly suggested I try GHS during a visit, and I found that pretty much every option GHS had, I liked (plus they are a Michigan based company and I like the idea of supporting local); New Mediums for DADGAD, and for the last 5 years or so, Vintage Bronze Bluegrass or Lights--each guitar "likes" one or the other.

Wade (who knows all things) Hampton is a John Pearse fan, and as my travel guitar-Martin DX-R was on the chopping block because it just wasn't doing it for me sound-wise, I had read his descriptions and so tried JP PB Lights. It made that Martin a whole new guitar! (I pick it up as much as any of my guitars now!)
'BadWithNames, I agree with your thought that GHS and J. Pearse are similar in the tonal spectrum, and if someone likes one they should try the other. As a side note, one of my ears does not hear the upper treble range well (hears the B & E like an old TV speaker gone bad--until I activate my Music setting on the aide), and I think both GHS and J. Pearse alleviate that lack with mellower unwound strings.
Summary: GHS and J. Pearse are all you'll find in my strings drawer.
But all of this talk about Newtone Masterclass (Dbl wound?) has me intrigued!

[The Watchman]

I didn't see Black Diamond on the list.

[Pickcity]

I'm mostly using the D'Addario exp16 strings these days, and I have used Elixir and GHS for many years too.

[Garrison314]

Switched almost exclusively to D'Addario NB

[gmr]

I have been using Martin Retros for the last few years, having switched from D’Addario strings. Recently I have been transitioning my acoustics over to D’Addario Nickel Bronze strings 12-53 and 11-52

[gmel555]

In addition my D'Addario and Pearse, my "other" is SCGC Parabolics.