What strings do you like on your J-45?

[gfa]

The stock Gibson 80/20s seem pretty good on my J-45 Vintage. I tried a set of Martin Retro/Monels, and hated them. For other J-45 owners (esp. Vintage or TV), what strings do you like? Thanks!

[dodge]

I have a gibson J-15 and recently strung it up with some John Pearse Bronze 600L light gauge strings and I'm really liking them.

[Matters]

Try the DR Rares. They are my favorite to use on my Southern Jumbo.

[sbpark]

I currently use D'Addario EJ16's on my J45 Standard. I was using DR Rare for a while, but for whatever reason prefer the EJ17's. DR Rare have a great low end, but something weird happens with the high B and E strings for some reason, and it's just the way the strings sound, not an isolated thing. I also tried Martin Retro's o my J45, and it sounded awful! I had been using 13's for a long time, but recently switched back to 12's. The 13's produced a thunderous low end on the J45 which was awesome, but the rest of the guitar just seemed a bit 'choked', and is much more lively and open with 12's, but sacrifice a little low end.

[pattste]

I have tried a number of different strings and the Gibson Masterbuilt Premium Phosphore Bronze are my favorite in terms of sound and feel. The only downside is that they don't last very long for me. My guitar is a Gibson Northern Jumbo, essentially a custom shop limited edition of the Southern Jumbo sold in Canada a few years ago.

[Pete'67]

I'm also in the process of trying out different strings.
The stock strings that came with the guitar (Gibson Masterbuilt 80/20 Light) were pretty good.

D'Addario EJ16 PB - somehow dull, without the punch on A-D-G strings, but pack was sitting in my shelf for years. Will try new ones.

Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 Light - Low E-string with uneven coating/wire wrap, got marks quite easily, coating peeled off and just didn't felt right although tone was ok.

John Pearse PB Light - very balanced strings, good bass response, need to try them for some days. Just put them on today.

Next candidates: John Pearse 80/20 Light, D'Addario EJ11 80/20, Elixir Nanoweb PB Light, Ernie Ball Earthwood Light Acoustic 80/20.
I very much liked the bright and more raw tone of the 80/20 stock strings. So PB does seem to be too mellow on the J-45 Vintage for me. To be continued ...

[Wade Hampton]

GFA, I no longer own a Gibson J-45 or WM-45, but when I did I used John Pearse phosphor bronze strings on them. I also tried other alloys and brands by the Pearse phosphors were what I kept coming back to on those guitars and what I also use on my current Gibson, which is an Advanced Jumbo.


Wade Hampton Miller

[RogerPease]

D'Addario EJ16 PBs are my ol' reliables. And cheap, too, if you buy
them on sale. For me nothing gets that good J-45 thump like these.

DR Rares are fine strings. Mostly they just cost more than EJ16s.

I'm currently trying the new D'Addario Nickel Bronze lights but the
jury is still out on those.

Previously tried Martin Retro lights (monel) and liked them but they
didn't hold my interest longer term for some reason.

Haven't liked any 80/20's or any coated strings I've tried. Nope.

Tried the Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze strings but did not care for
them.

I really must and will try the JP PBs that Wade recommends.

My random $.02 worth.

_Roger

[SalFromChatham]

I keep coming back to Masterbilt PB lights. DR Sunbeams are also great on my J45, as are EJ16s.

I sometimes use Elixir PB lights also, and they play and sound smooth and "buttery". But I gotst to have the bark. I need the bark. You're gonna want that bark.

Back to Masterbilts.

Ps I recently received Kurt Magnans but I haven't tried them yet..

[Wade Hampton]

The missal wrote:

Originally Posted by themissal

I keep coming back to Masterbilt PB lights. DR Sunbeams are also great on my J45, as are EJ16s.

I sometimes use Elixir PB lights also, and they play and sound smooth and "buttery". But I gotst to have the bark. I need the bark. You're gonna want that bark.

But are you sure? Is "that bark" something that's actually important to you, missal?

I mean, you're just so wishy-washy on the subject.....


Wade Hampton "Arf!! Arf!!" Miller

[Blueser]

Originally Posted by dodge

I have a gibson J-15 and recently strung it up with some John Pearse Bronze 600L light gauge strings and I'm really liking them.

This is what I use on my J-45 Custom Rosewood. Best sounding strings to my ear on this guitar (and my Martin OM-28 Marquis).

I tried D'Addario and Martin Monels lights (.12) as well, and keep coming back to the Pearse strings.

[yoni]

Not a J45 but my SC slope loves straight Up Strings medium tension.

[crwheat@sbcglob]

John Pearse phosphor bronze or Martin Clapton's Choice

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by pattste

I have tried a number of different strings and the Gibson Masterbuilt Premium Phosphore Bronze are my favorite in terms of sound and feel. The only downside is that they don't last very long for me. My guitar is a Gibson Northern Jumbo, essentially a custom shop limited edition of the Southern Jumbo sold in Canada a few years ago.

+ 1 on the Gibson strings. I use the mediums for extra punch.

[riverrummed]

D'Addario EJ-16's on my 2008 J-50 sound best to me and I've tried a lot of different strings.