Strings for J-45 (I miss the Masterbuilt Premium 80/20 Bronze Lights so bad!!!)

[rokdog49]

I hear ya’ man
I have a dozen sets of Masterbuilts I gobbled up before they became extinct.
The secret to those strings was a thinner core wire and heavier gauged wraps.
The best substitutes are the GHS “Bright Bronze”
After that, Newtone Round Core 80-20 Custom Set in these gauges 54-43-33-25-16-12. They will emulate the gauge and tension of the Masterbuilts.

https://newtonestrings.com/shop/cust...-configurator/

I will be happy to offer you a set of the Masterbuilts for $50....
Nahhhh, it ain’t worth it.

[emtsteve]

Same story with my J-35, loved the stock strings (Gibson Masterbuilt 80/20 in .12). There are old threads on this and someone did the homework already to find that GHS made these and their Bright Bronze is almost identical. So this is what I use now. I have also tried the GHS Vintage Bronze which I like a lot too. Another thing I like about the GHS strings is that each string is sealed in it's own plastic packet, inhibiting rust and corrosion while stored.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by emtsteve

Same story with my J-35, loved the stock strings (Gibson Masterbuilt 80/20 in .12). There are old threads on this and someone did the homework already to find that GHS made these and their Bright Bronze is almost identical. So this is what I use now. I have also tried the GHS Vintage Bronze which I like a lot too. Another thing I like about the GHS strings is that each string is sealed in it's own plastic packet, inhibiting rust and corrosion while stored.

I was told by GHS that the core wire on the Bright Bronze is uncoated.
The Masterbuilts were zinc coated.
Also, the wrap wire isn’t exactly the same but it’s very close and you likely can’t hear much difference. I’ve tried the Bright Bronze and they work well.

[geelinus]

I much prefer Gibson Masterbuilts on my 2008 J-45 and still have two packs of them stashed away.

Since the strings went out of production, I've been experimenting and like Martin Marquis, Clapton's Choice, Earthwood Med/Lights strings but care for either type of Elixirs on the J-45. My search continues. I'll be watching this thread for more suggestions.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by geelinus

I much prefer Gibson Masterbuilts on my 2008 J-45 and still have two packs of them stashed away.

Since the strings went out of production, I've been experimenting and like Martin Marquis, Clapton's Choice, Earthwood Med/Lights strings but care for either type of Elixirs on the J-45. My search continues. I'll be watching this thread for more suggestions.

Newtones as in my previous post.

[poopsidoo]

I love martin MA-450's on my J45. They are phosphor bronze and the string sizes are 12.5. 16.5, 25.5, 34.5, 43.5, and 55.
almost medium for volume, almost light for ease of play and protection for the neck/bridge/belly!!

[nowgypsy]

My J45 standard really likes John Pearce 80/20 lights. With my skin chemistry they last months. I have used Cleartones 80/20 in the past but the uncoated strings last long enough that it doesn't pay to use the treated strings.

[soao]

Nothing wrong with Santa Cruz strings

[tippy5]

Agreed. My J-45 TV loves the Med. SC strings.

[nitram]

Originally Posted by soao

Nothing wrong with Santa Cruz strings

Except, maybe, the price.

[Gee Man]

Originally Posted by nitram

Except, maybe, the price.

Meh, they last forever, price isn't so bad. Do you put the cheapest tires you can find on a Porsche? I didn't think so.

[jwh2137]

Right now, I have a set of Curt Mangan Med-Lights PBs on, replacing the top two strings with a .013 and .017 so you get 13, 17, 24, 32, 44, 54 (got this idea from Jeffrey Foucault). Not overly bright and nice sustain. I plan to try these gauges with a set of 80/20s (my favorite 80/20 string) to compare

[rmp]

you could try the new Gibson Acoustic strings, they have coated and non-coated

I tried the coated, they were ok, but when they go dead, they REALLY go dead.
like overnight. I did get about 4 months out of em.

I really like D'Addario XS, but if you're not a fan of treated strings, the EJ16s are pretty comparable (for my ears/hands anyway) to the Masterbuilt's

[Goat Mick]

My old Gibsons really like John Pearse 600L PB lights. I would definitely give John Pearse 80/20's a try, they're pretty cheap too.

[gretsch4me]

I've tried them all in my 45 yrs of playing and find Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze the best solution to bring out the absolute best tones in your guitar. YMMV. Strings are cheap. Experiment.