Strings on a Martin 000-28 for a less bright sound

[jonbutcheraxis]

I just picked up a nicely played in Martin 000-28EC for what amounts to a steal, the strings on it are old and I want to throw a less bright set on the guitar.
Take a look at the image below, the strings I have in my inventory at the moment. Which of these two sets are the least bright ? Any fans of either set ?

[Osage]

The Silk and Bronze will be less bright.

[EZYPIKINS]

Might try La Bella Silk & Steel

[lowrider]

I absolutely love D'Addario XS on my rosewood Martin.

[jonbutcheraxis]

Are .012's too much for small body Martins like the 000's ? Are you guys using .011's or .012's on your 000's guitars ? Am reading a lot about 'low tension' strings..

[wguitar]

Originally Posted by jonbutcheraxis

Are .012's too much for small body Martins like the 000's ? Are you guys using .011's or .012's on your 000's guitars ? Am reading a lot about 'low tension' strings..

12's are recommended I believe, and to me they sound noticeable fuller than 11's. I use Elixir Nano 80/20 (12's) on my Martin 00-28 and it sounds amazing! 12's and a good setup will make your Martin 000-28 (a GREAT guitar) be all that it can be !

[Pender]

What's the difference between Elixir Nano 80/20 and Elixir Poly 80/20?

[mjw61]

thomastik-infeld, spectrum bronze 12-54. beautifully controlled strings. you will not be dissapointed.

[TDavis]

I’d try a set of Santa Cruz Low Tension Parabolic strings. They aren’t cheap ($23), but they last a good while and “round out” the tone on, at least the guitars I’ve had them on.

[raysachs]

Nothing but personal preferences here, but I have an 000-28EC too and I found it a little bright for my taste with various PB strings on it, including some from Daddario, Martin, DR Sunbeams, etc. I put a set of DR Rares on it and it mellowed it out JUST enough, while still maintaining it's fundamental rosewood sound. I haven't played anything else on it since. For me, DR Rares are the perfect match for that guitar. For my ears, of course. YMMV.

BTW, I LOVE Monels on my CEO-7, but didn't care for them much on my 000-28EC...

-Ray

[mawmow]

I would suggest Martin Monel retro…

[Seattlesurfer]

Second vote for the Santa Cruz Low Tension Parabolic strings - I use them on my 00-18 and 00-28.

[Boomstick]

The John Pearse Phosphor Bronze strings are pretty bright. However their 80/20 set is one of the better 80/20s out there and would be one suggestion the next time you buy strings.

I will also throw out two other suggestions as well. The DR Veritas are coated strings that sound just like 80/20s. They coat the wound strings before winding them so they don't feel coated (they provide the coated or uncoated non wound strings - I always use the non coated ones).

Second, if you want to try an experiment and go the opposite route, try the D'Addario XTs. They are actually brighter than normal, but they have very rich highs and tend to make small guitars sound larger from my experience with two I've put them on recently. It definitely is not thee sound you're after but it would make a fun experiment.

[Sasquatchian]

After my '47 000-18 had a new bridge plate and bridge it was considerably brighter than it was before the bridge split. The two sets of strings that made the biggest improvement to a too bright guitar were D'Addariio Flat Tops and Martin Retro Monels, with the D'Addario's running 12-53 and the Martins 12-54. The Martin strings last a lot longer than the Flat Tops and are my current first choice.

[terrypl]

I have a similar model, an 000-28H, and I have found that GHS Vintage Bronze strings give it a nice warm, round tone.