Strings To "Warm Up" a Rainsong

[douglasfan1]

Elixir will be my pick. It colors the tone of my guitar the most comparing with other strings. I think it can somehow cover part of the tone of carbon fiber and make the guitar sound more like wooden guitar.

[gfa]

Another vote for Retros.

[K20C]

I bought an APSE a couple of months ago. It has a very mellow sound, not bright at all. A few days ago I put on D’Addario XT PB. Brightened the tone a bit and made it sound even more like a wood guitar. Love ‘em.

[steelvibe]

Originally Posted by douglasfan1

Elixir will be my pick. It colors the tone of my guitar the most comparing with other strings. I think it can somehow cover part of the tone of carbon fiber and make the guitar sound more like wooden guitar.

I can appreciate this comment. I discovered more "traditional" flavor when having DR Rares on my OF660. I love that monel rounds out any harsh overtones (which seem magnified with CF in general), and seem generally warmer once settled in. But a good set of phosphor bronze impart a more "traditional" tone. So I like both and for different reasons.


I also think strings are guitar specific. While my RainSong LOVED monels (and so did my ears), the OF660 does not sound as good with them. Something with a bit of bronze (Aluminum, Nickel, or Phosphor) seem better suited for it.

[ZebraKing]

I have tried quite a few different strings on my Emerald X20 and John Pearse Phosphor Bronze 600L Lights sound the best to me, they really add a warmth that I couldn't get from others. Also relatively inexpensive. I mostly strum.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by AZLiberty

My Rainsong Shorty has EXP-16s on her. Not sure what I will use when I run out of those. But, something Phosphor Bronze.

The 80/20 Elixirs used by the factory are simply god-awful sounding. Although to be fair to Elixir, I think that 80/20s of any manufacturer sound terrible on everything.

Boy, you’re in the minority on that one.
As a for instance, the Gibby J45 comes standard with those for a reason.
To each his own.

[guitararmy]

Using Martin Retros on my Rainsong Jumbo…

[Long Road Home]

I went through a similar process with a CH-OM several years ago. I ended up settling on Martin Retros.

I started out with lights, which I liked a lot and then changed to a medium/light hybrid set called LJ's Choice MLJ13 (13/17/24/32/42/56, compared to 12/15/25/31/41/54 for lights). They made quite a difference, fattening up the trebles and giving a bit more oomph to the base, while still being pretty easy on my fretting hand.

[guitar4fun]

I have two Rainsong dreadnoughts which seem quite different in tone to my ears. One is a H-DR1100N2 and the other a CO-DR1000NS. So a 14-fret hybrid and a 12-fret Concert series with the unidirectional carbon fiber top. The hybrid seems naturally brighter and the concert is warmer to slightly muddy with "warm" strings. I've tried several strings and currently use GHS Silk and Bronze (370ML) on the hydrid to warm it up, and D'Addario 80/20 Bronze (EJ11) to brighten up the 12-fretter. The hybrid is still brighter than the concert series, but now both sound like they are closer to middle of the tonal spectrum than with other strings I've tried.

[mountainmaster]

Originally Posted by guitar4fun

I have two Rainsong dreadnoughts which seem quite different in tone to my ears. One is a H-DR1100N2 and the other a CO-DR1000NS. So a 14-fret hybrid and a 12-fret Concert series with the unidirectional carbon fiber top. The hybrid seems naturally brighter and the concert is warmer to slightly muddy with "warm" strings. I've tried several strings and currently use GHS Silk and Bronze (370ML) on the hydrid to warm it up, and D'Addario 80/20 Bronze (EJ11) to brighten up the 12-fretter. The hybrid is still brighter than the concert series, but now both sound like they are closer to middle of the tonal spectrum than with other strings I've tried.

Strange. According to the blurb at the time the inclusion of glass fiber in both body and top was supposed to make the hybrid series sound warmer than pure carbon fiber.

Then again there was the concert hybrid which was the only one in the hybrid series with a unidirectional top and a hybrid body. I suppose technically that would be a hybrid hybrid. Anyone still with me?
Is that the one you have?

[guitar4fun]

Originally Posted by mountainmaster

Strange. According to the blurb at the time the inclusion of glass fiber in both body and top was supposed to make the hybrid series sound warmer than pure carbon fiber.

Then again there was the concert hybrid which was the only one in the hybrid series with a unidirectional top and a hybrid body. I suppose technically that would be a hybrid hybrid. Anyone still with me?
Is that the one you have?

The specs I've read says the 14-fretter has carbon/glass fiber for both the body and the top. The specs for the 12-fretter says it has an all-graphite unidirectional carbon top and an all-graphite body. It could also be the 12-fret configuration that gives it additional warmth and makes the 14-fret hybrid sound bright by comparison. I have not heard an all carbon non-unidirectional carbon top dreadnought played live for a comparison.

[Finger Stylish]

Martin Retros(custom Lights)have been my choice for 9+ years on my Rainsong HDR 1000.
Not pricey.
Great string life as well.

[Markcarl]

Over the last few years I’ve been using Elixir Polyweb and Nanoweb strings on my guitars (including the carbon fiber guitars). I’ve been happy with the sound and longevity of the strings. Having said that, reading this thread has got me interested in trying the Martin retros. I saw an interview with Laurence Juber where he talked about these strings. I just ordered some .013-.056 LJ’s choice Martin retro strings and will post after comparing them with my Elixirs.