The Aluminum Bronze "Experiment"

[ii Cybershot ii]

I love Nickel Bronze on my DN3.

I have been somewhat afraid to try Ernie Ball acoustic strings due to the odd gauges. I can imagine the lower strings definitely have more tension as they are larger than the standard "light" gauge strings on say a pack of D'Addarios.

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Originally Posted by PiousDevil

I have a couple of guitars I'm going to try these on, including my new Bedell all mahogany dreadnought that I'm finding to be a bit lacking in low end with Monels (though the lack of breaking in is probably a large contributing factor).

Aluminum Bronze brings more low end than the Monels. If you care enough about the low end, go Aluminum. If not, Monel does the trick.

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Originally Posted by ii Cybershot ii

I love Nickel Bronze on my DN3.

I have been somewhat afraid to try Ernie Ball acoustic strings due to the odd gauges. I can imagine the lower strings definitely have more tension as they are larger than the standard "light" gauge strings on say a pack of D'Addarios.

Nickel Bronze sounds somewhat similar to Aluminum Bronze, IMO. My GS Mini will stay with its Nickel Bronze.

I totally dig the lower strings tension on Ernie Ball's

[Tnfiddler]

Originally Posted by Guitarplayer_PR

Nickel Bronze sounds somewhat similar to Aluminum Bronze, IMO. My GS Mini will stay with its Nickel Bronze.

I totally dig the lower strings tension on Ernie Ball's

So what gauge will I need for my DN and GS guitars? Mediums??

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Originally Posted by Tnfiddler

So what gauge will I need for my DN and GS guitars? Mediums??

Well, string gauge is kind of a subjective thing and it'd depend on your playing style and/or other factors. Having said that, Dreadnoughts and Grand Symphony guitars are built to deliver more volume and, especially in the case of dreads (my experiences with GS other than the GS Mini have been few), they can handle aggressive strumming really great. Therefore, medium gauge strings are PERFECT for Dreads and GS. In fact, I even use mediums on my GS Mini. And if you fear the higher gauge will be problematic, a good setup will make them feel as good as light gauges.

[Pura Vida]

Originally Posted by Guitarplayer_PR

UPDATE

My DN3 keeps sounding mellower, but still maintain the very crispy tone that makes me love the DN3 so much. One thing that strikes me a bit is the responsiveness of its plugged in setting. These Aluminum Bronze strings are a perfect match for the LR Baggs Anthem (SL). I own a Fender Acoustic 100, which I find a very transparent amp. All the harmonics are present, including the 5th fret ones, which are, for me, a great indicator of how good or bad a string and/or an acoustic pickup is.

That was my experience, as well. They're bright when they go on, but then after a week, they really mellow out in a good way... and stay that way for 6-8 weeks or so (vs. PB, which last 4-6 weeks for me).

[Tnfiddler]

Originally Posted by Guitarplayer_PR

Well, string gauge is kind of a subjective thing and it'd depend on your playing style and/or other factors. Having said that, Dreadnoughts and Grand Symphony guitars are built to deliver more volume and, especially in the case of dreads (my experiences with GS other than the GS Mini have been few), they can handle aggressive strumming really great. Therefore, medium gauge strings are PERFECT for Dreads and GS. In fact, I even use mediums on my GS Mini. And if you fear the higher gauge will be problematic, a good setup will make them feel as good as light gauges.

I’ve used mediums for years, but when someone mentioned the string tension, I was wondering if there was something different about them. I ordered 3 sets of the 13-56 gauge last night. I’m gonna string up all 3 of my full size Taylors with these and use my other brand sets on my GS Mini.

[Guitarplayer_PR]

A week and days later:

The Taylor 414CE sounds. . .REALLY warm, especially its trebles. Really smooth tone. Some people say ovangkol reminds them of koa in terms of its highs; well, with the Aluminum Bronze, it's even more "reminding."


The DN3, still, is the one which has experimented more change with the AB's. More bass and smoothness than with the Monels, and the the Monels still sounded smoother than with the 80/20s it had when I bought it.

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Huge update:

During the worship service I was playing. . . TWO of my strings broke: the D and the A!!!! What a bummer!!! Since I had a pack of Martin Retros at home, right now, I put them on my DN3.

[PiousDevil]

Originally Posted by Guitarplayer_PR

Huge update:

During the worship service I was playing. . . TWO of my strings broke: the D and the A!!!! What a bummer!!! Since I had a pack of Martin Retros at home, right now, I put them on my DN3.

Wow, that is bad news. Ever break strings on that guitar before?

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Originally Posted by PiousDevil

Wow, that is bad news. Ever break strings on that guitar before?

No. First time.

[Tnfiddler]

I put the AB mediums on my ‘02 W10ce and I can tell quite a bit of difference tone-wise between them and the GHS LJ Signature Bronze mediums that were on it. I can hear more bass and a cleaner tone in the mids and highs than the GHS strings had. I can’t wait to hear how they play in over the next few days.

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Update!


As you possibly read before, I broke two strings on my DN3 and I put a pack of Retros back. The 414CE still has the Aluminum Bronze and now they've mellowed. I think the Aluminums and the 414CE are a perfect match, just a bit warmer than the Retros, but the Retros will say with my DN3 for now.

[Ludere]

I put a set of AB medium-lights on my Takamine dread last week, and noticed a serious increase in high end "articulation" (over PB's), which has mellowed a bit over the last few days, but still quite pronounced and nice for picking ... but the lows seem to respond about the same as my "usual" PB's do; so from your reports, I can only surmise that string characteristics are highly dependent on the guitar ... ?

[Tnfiddler]

Moderators, please delete!!

Overlook my sloppy playing, but here’s a quick clip of the strings on the W10ce.

Well, I thought it was!