#1
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D'addario Baritone acoustic strings? Baritone strings in general
Hi all, is there such a thing as D'addario baritone acoustic strings? I could only find extra heavy regular acoustic sets, or nickel electric sets made especially for baritone.
I was thinking 80/20 or phosphor bronze would be good. What gauge would you consider a light or medium light in baritone acoustic world? Thanks! |
#2
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I’ve been using an Electric set of 14-62’s.
The quote, unquote Baritone strings might be a little light. My first time stringing the Bari I went with GHS 13-59’s. And they were fine for fingerstyle. But they buzzed a lot when strummed. I went with the electric set because they are much like the Nickel Bronze sets. I use nickel Bronze on some of my other acoustics with very good results.
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A bunch of guitars I really enjoy. A head full of lyrics, A house full of people that “get” me. Alvarez 5013 Alvarez MD70CE Alvarez PD85S Alvarez AJ60SC Alvarez ABT610e Alvarez-Yairi GY1 Takamine P3DC Takamine GJ72CE-12-NAT Godin Multiac Steel. Journey Instruments OF660 Gibson G45 |
#3
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D'Addario used to make the EXP23 set for acoustic baritone in phosphor bronze. I used to use them when I had an Alvarez ABT60. Perhaps they've stopped making them, as I can't seem to find any for sale in a quick web search.
You might consider an Elixir Baritone set as an alternative.
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- - JM ************************* |
#4
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Quote:
If you want coated strings there are Elixers. I like John Pearse strings on my Baritones, but they are uncoated. |
#5
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You don't have to buy a special set of strings!
I have some one-off, custom instruments (10 string 17" mandola tuned C-G-D-A-E, 10 string 26" mandocello with octave pair courses tuned C-G-D-A-E, 10 string Hardanger viola with 5 sympathetic understrings....). I have to make up my own custom string sets based on the builder's recommendations for tension. No one is making packaged sets for my custom instruments. Individual strings in a variety of types (phosphor bronze, 80-20, monel, chrome, flat wound, round core, etc.) are available at most music stores and all the on-line string guys. This ain't rocket surgery folks. |
#6
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LaBella makes a set of Phosphor Bronze Baritone strings for a 12-string baritone. I think they are a bit heavy. They would be okay for tuning B to B.
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#7
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I've used J Pearse 80/20 light baritone .015 - .068 set #3260L and GHS custom shop .014 - .060 sets.
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Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#8
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Try Curt Mangan. Good strings.
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#9
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I didn’t like the D’Addario, but felt ok with Elixir 80/20. Have another baritone in the design stage where the client definitely prefers John Pearse 3260L 80/20 bronze. Of course, they won’t last nearly as long as the Elixirs.
For electrics, I don’t like really heavy unwound 3rd string used in most sets, as they are too stiff over the nut and won’t intonate properly. These days I generally use the bottom 6 strings from a regular 7-string pack (usually Elixir Optiweb) and throw out the unused 1st. Players really appreciate having a wound 3rd.
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Tim Mullin Shefford, QC CANADA |
#10
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Sound and playability could be affected by nut to saddle length and tuning as these will vary between baritones. Mine is 27.5 inch, tuned B-B and I have had a lot of success with Elixirs (which I don’t normally choose) and Newtone baritone strings. With the Newtones I use what I consider to be “lightish” gauge, at 14-66 or 15-68. You can buy them direct from the factory and postage is very cheap.
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#11
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I think scale length and tuning preferences are more critical in choosing baritone strings than with regular, or “standard” scale guitars. My Santa Cruz baritones are extremely responsive and sound great even with “medium” gauge strings, and when I’ve tried baritone sets (with 68 to 80 gauge bottom strings) although they sounded good, they were not at all fun or pleasant to play -
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More than a few Santa Cruz’s, a few Sexauers, a Patterson, a Larrivee, a Cumpiano, and a Klepper!! |
#12
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Hi all thanks for the replies. Great feedback on the pre-matched regular six string sets feeling a little light on a longer scale. I was thinking I’d just go with a set of 13s to start but I think now I’ll look to wound strings with a low E that is thicker than .60.
I actually don’t have the guitar on hand yet and unfortunately I don’t think there will be any strings on it when it arrives in terms of having any kind of baseline. Anyhow thanks again. |
#13
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For my ABT60, I often use heavy gauge EJ18 (59-14) but swap out the bass 59 for a single 62. I tune C-c typically, four half-steps down. You could also just take a regular set of lights (54-12) and move them over one notch, adding a 64 or heavier bass string. If you pick a 68 you can tune B-b ("true" baritone tuning) at five half-steps down. I find the pre-made baritone sets at 70-16 for B-b tuning just a little too heavy for my left hand.
I've also had good luck with these John Pearse baritone sets: https://www.juststrings.com/jps-3260...hoCtGAQAvD_BwE |
#14
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Quote:
All I have ever used on my Baritone is D'Addario baritone strings. It's also what it shipped with. D’Addario EXP23, 16-70 gauge are my go-to. When the EXPs being discontinued though...
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Larrivee OM-03RE; O-01 Martin D-35; Guild F-212; Tacoma Roadking Breedlove American Series C20/SR Rainsong SFTA-FLE; WS3000; CH-PA Taylor GA3-12, Guild F-212 https://markhorning.bandcamp.com/music |
#15
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Thanks all for further input. I went with Nickel D'addario "baritone lights" as that was what would come the quickest.
I'm finding that the set feels pretty light on the right hand at 62-13. I am going to check out those Pearse 80/20, although as someone else commented maybe it'll start feeling too stiff on the left hand. |