OM-21 string question

[TacomaDR20]

I picked up a like-new 2012 OM-21 a couple of weeks ago and am trying to find the right strings for it. I typically like Elixir polyweb mediums on most guitars, although my VoyageAir OM doesn't like them at all. This guitar came with fresh D'Addario EXP lights. They sounded good but just a little thin to me; not jangly, but I just felt like I wasn't hearing the mids and bass that a nice rosewood OM should deliver. So, I put medium Polywebs on it and so far, it's not working for me. The sound seems muffled almost. It's very warm and mellow but there is no ring, no overtones to speak of. Not what I want from rosewood.

So, I'm looking for middle ground. My next thought was Nanowebs instead of polywebs, but I'm wondering if I need to go back to lights? Or, try medium EXP's? Mediums feel "normal" to me but I can get used to the lights. I like the John Pearse bluegrass strings but my fingers eat them too fast.

As far as playing style, it's 50/50 flatpick/fingerpicking; I tend not to drive it very hard. When I do play in a group I'm plugged in. Anyway, all input will be appreciated.

[skitoolong]

I put some Martin Retro's on mine. I really like the way they sound, but they don't seem to last very long

[OnTheLedge]

I had an OM-21. I used Martin Lifespan SP Lights. I too like some jangle and I have hands that tend to kill strings quickly. Martin Lifespans sound great to me and they last long.

[terrapin]

My OM-21 is happiest with John Pearse Phosphor Bronze. I agree that most all coated strings sound a bit thin and lacking in low mids and bass.

[TacomaDR20]

Russ, what gage JP's do you run?

[terrapin]

Originally Posted by terrapin

My OM-21 is happiest with John Pearse Phosphor Bronze. I agree that most all coated strings sound a bit thin and lacking in low mids and bass.

12-54, but thinking of going to sets with a 13 for high E and a 17 for the B.

[kydave]

Originally Posted by TacomaDR20

I picked up a like-new 2012 OM-21 a couple of weeks ago and am trying to find the right strings for it. I typically like Elixir polyweb mediums on most guitars, although my VoyageAir OM doesn't like them at all. This guitar came with fresh D'Addario EXP lights. They sounded good but just a little thin to me; not jangly, but I just felt like I wasn't hearing the mids and bass that a nice rosewood OM should deliver. So, I put medium Polywebs on it and so far, it's not working for me. The sound seems muffled almost. It's very warm and mellow but there is no ring, no overtones to speak of. Not what I want from rosewood.

So, I'm looking for middle ground. My next thought was Nanowebs instead of polywebs, but I'm wondering if I need to go back to lights? Or, try medium EXP's? Mediums feel "normal" to me but I can get used to the lights. I like the John Pearse bluegrass strings but my fingers eat them too fast.

As far as playing style, it's 50/50 flatpick/fingerpicking; I tend not to drive it very hard. When I do play in a group I'm plugged in. Anyway, all input will be appreciated.

Try Martin SP4200 medium phosphor bronze.

[jmjohnson]

When wishing to find more jangle/color/over-tones, I try round-core or Martin FX strings. I use lights on my -21, which are nice for finger style.

[RussMason]

These strings are light/mediums.

The gauges are 12.5, 16.5, 25.5, 33.5, 43.5 and 55

They pack more punch than lights but exhibit less tensions on the bridge than mediums.

Martin makes light/mediums in plain steel - the phosphors are M545, the 80/20s are M145. They are also available in SP (the core wires are bronze plated).

Generally speaking, the bridge pull in lights is in the 160 range; the light/mediums around 173; the mediums are around 185.

Sometimes, with an older guitar I will change the G string from 25.5 to a 24. This lessens the tension on the bridge somewhat and sounds just as good to my ears.

If you like lights, there are no better strings than Rotosound Jumbo12. They are just superb. No light string has the tone of the Rotosound Jumbo12's.

I do not like coated strings at all. But many people do.

By the way - if you are plagued with acidic hands, put 1/2 tsp of baking soda in a glass of water and drink it - twice a day. It will neutralize the acidity in your body's chemistry. It works. Honest. No more acid hands!

[Dryfly]

Thomastik-Infeld Spectrum SB111
You'll rarely go back to Pyramid Western Folk lights.
Steve
OM-21 Special

[Jmaulz]

Originally Posted by terrapin

12-54, but thinking of going to sets with a 13 for high E and a 17 for the B.

That's my favorite for my OM-21, lights with a 17 "b" and 14 "e".

[fwphoto]

Right now I have JP PB Lights on mine. It usually takes a couple weeks before they settle in to my liking. Tried Retros & didn't like them at all, but I have a set of JP Nickel Lights ready to try next.

Frank

[pagedr]

I recently tried DR Sunbeams on my OM-21 for the first time. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I've actually grown to like them quite a bit now that they've settled in a bit.

[dukebrot]

After trying a lot of options for my own OM-21, I have been exclusively going with regular old D'Addario phosphor bronze lights (EJ16's). They sound just perfect to me.