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  #1  
Old 01-19-2021, 07:47 AM
DLQ DLQ is offline
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Default 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!
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Old 01-19-2021, 08:42 AM
Oldguy64 Oldguy64 is offline
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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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  #3  
Old 01-19-2021, 11:25 AM
JMFingerstyle JMFingerstyle is offline
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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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Old 01-19-2021, 11:47 AM
Mycroft Mycroft is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JMFingerstyle View Post
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.
As I understand it they quit making them. I had several sets that I really didn't care for that I sold last year to an AGF member who did.

If you want coated strings there are Elixers. I like John Pearse strings on my Baritones, but they are uncoated.
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Old 01-19-2021, 11:59 AM
Mandobart Mandobart is offline
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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.
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Old 01-19-2021, 12:16 PM
gfspencer gfspencer is offline
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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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Old 01-19-2021, 02:42 PM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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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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Old 01-19-2021, 06:28 PM
Mark L Mark L is offline
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Try Curt Mangan. Good strings.
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Old 01-19-2021, 06:52 PM
Tim Mullin Tim Mullin is offline
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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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Old 01-20-2021, 05:30 AM
colins colins is offline
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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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Old 01-20-2021, 11:59 AM
tadol tadol is offline
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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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Old 01-21-2021, 07:29 AM
DLQ DLQ is offline
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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.
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Old 01-21-2021, 02:08 PM
Earl49 Earl49 is offline
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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
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  #14  
Old 01-22-2021, 03:58 PM
AZLiberty AZLiberty is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DLQ View Post
Hi all, is there such a thing as D'addario baritone acoustic strings?
Thanks!
Well there used to be...

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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  #15  
Old 01-28-2021, 10:51 AM
DLQ DLQ is offline
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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.
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