Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Lessons, Recordings, How Tos, Repair, Accessories => Lessons, Recordings, How Tos, Repair, Accessories => Topic started by: Jimmer on May 02, 2016, 01:34:44 AM
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Hi Gang.. right now I'm using Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 Bronze custom light .011-.052. on my 214. I hear that changing strings can make a big difference. Really not sure what I'm looking for I just thought a change would be fun. I have never used any brand other than Elixir. And does it make a big difference between laminate and wood as far as string change goes.
Thanks guys
Jim
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I'd go back to what it came with. Elixer Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze Lights. Will be a nice change from what you have on there now. Everybody has a string brand preference. It's fun trying different brands. I've found some that I liked the sound of. Keep using Elixer's because they last.
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Hi Jim,
There is no shortage of strings to try out, and strings are the single biggest factor in altering your guitar's tone: laminate or not, it's significant. In my experience of trying string brands long ago, I had found some that I didn't care for, and many that sounded good. But none that sounded good and lasted so long as Elixir nanowebs. So like AZ above, I've long been back to Elixirs on all my acoustics because they hold a consistent good tone for so stinkin long ;)
Just my experience so you have to consider yours. But as you're considering brands, also consider composition (80/20 vs Phosphor Bronze) to "settle" on a voice that suits you.
And from that point you can further "fine tune" the process by experimenting with gauges: not just "light" vs "medium" but there are "med-lights" (for more bass tone bias), or Elixir HDs (for more treb-string bias). There are no shortcuts in the "search for tone" so be objective, patient, and enjoy the journey. Once you've found the right recipe, bear in mind that it is right for that one guitar so as soon as you decide to add to the herd, you'd be doing it all again. Drink it in, sir, as it's a great ride! :)
Edward
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The problem with suggesting "which string is best" is that it is such a personal perception. I could no more suggest which brand of underwear would be most comfortable for you. I can only say what works for me.
I use Elixirs on most of my guitars because they last a long time, some guitars get played pretty infrequently, and I don't much like to change strings. Some have Nano's, some have Polywebs to help tame finger squeak, some guitars prefer medium-light sets, some prefer mediums. When I want to tame the brightness down a little, I use GHS White Bronze, which are a 52% nickle string. They sound mellower overall and about three days old when first put on, but their tone stay that way for a couple of months for me.
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yep..Elixir Strings 16077 Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze Medium Light will be my next set providing the set I have on now wear out some day. They have been on for a good 3 months and still play and sound great. Some times I get itchy and want change right now. Once I settle on the strings for my 214 I'll have to start over when I get my 414 or 412. That will be fun also.
Again you guys have been a huge huuge (Trump impersonation) help:). Especially for someone who has been doing this for only a few years.
Thanks again Earl, Edward, Azslacker & anyone else thats chimes in
Jim
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John Pearse PB's
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Here's a second vote for John Pearse Phosphor Bronze. Full disclosure that I'm one of their supported players, but I use them because they sound and play great. I wished they lasted longer in high-humidity outdoor gigs, but other than that...perfect for me. I like their "New Mediums" for fingerstyle (mediums on both E strings and the B, lights on the rest). I tune down 1/2 step because my voice is getting lower as I get older, and this mix of gauges helps my hands survive long gigs (many clubs ask for 4 hours around here) without my tendons screaming. Your ears will tell you what's right for your guitars, but there are many different demands (different guitars, environments, your body chemistry, hours of use), and you have to find that perfect balance.
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I really like Martin FX Phosphor Bronze Lights on my cedar topped hog 514. They're the strings with Tommy Emmanuel on the package as it is said he uses them (among many others), but this is clearly the string he represents and sponsors him.
I've written about these strings many times on this forum, and no one, I mean I think no one, has chimed in and said they agreed, but they're under $5 so not an expensive test.
What I like about them is that the bass strings seems to have a grittiness to them, and at about three days old throw a lot of bass. They're supposed to flexible core, too, which supposedly makes for easier play and bends. But I feel like they're pretty tight and not that flexible, so not sure about that feature.
In the drier winter months I can play them for about a month which is pretty good for a non-coated, non-treated string. But when summer humidity arrives here in the dirty south, I can't get much more than a week out of them, and if I play a gig, especially outside, and as with the John Pearse, forget about it.
So then the trusty Phosphor Bronze Elixir Lights come back, or even the Phosphor Bronze Martin Life Spans, which have the Cleartone treatment rather than the coating like Elixir. They sound bright to me, too, almost too bright, and don't last as long as the Elixirs, IMHO.
The final note on the Elixirs as far as recording goes: they eliminate a lot of the string squeak and are worth their weight in that situation, especially if you have the ES2, which can be really squeaky.
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Elixirs are OK for me if I am playing fingerstyle only but to my ears they have a jangly tone when I strum. My favorite strings are Thomastik Infeld Plectrums. To my ears they offer minimal finger noise, balanced tone, and long life (unless you have corrosive finger oils, you should get 4-6 months or longer out of a set). They also string up with less tension so seem easier to play. That said they are pricey at around $23 a set but given the life I get out of them, they are a good value for me. I've also gotten good results with Martin Silk and Steels and Retro's (Monel), worth a try if you don't want to spend for the TI's. IME, they have a bit more finger noise and the Silk and Steels seem to only last about 6-8 weeks before they start to die off. If you like the Retro's, they last a long time so to me are a good bet for good tone and value. They feel a bit stiffer than the TI's (the Silk and Steels have as nice a feel as the TI's). I've tried some D'Addario's and while I liked the tone a lot, they seemed to have the stiffest feel and the loudest finger noise (pretty annoying squeak for me on their latest NY Steel). If it was not for the string noise, I'd probably buy them again. I'll probably give them another try in the future.
Don't invest a lot into advice from anyone who says one string brand is "better" than another. It's 100% subjective and one player's wine will be another player's water. I maintain a string journal spreadsheet so I can check back on how long it's been on a specific string set and my own comments on what I hear playing a string set. Trying different strings are a fun "science" project. Enjoy this part of the journey.
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Really enjoy John Pearse light strings, both 80/20 and PB. And they also have a new set similar to Elixir HD lights. All are non-coated. DR now offers the Veritas line of strings, uncoated strings that reportedly last 4x longer than other non-coated strings. I'm a fan of their strings as well, especially the round core Sunbeams on my slighter built guitars (like my Martin 1930 size 2)
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Elixirs are OK for me if I am playing fingerstyle only but to my ears they have a jangly tone when I strum. My favorite strings are Thomastik Infeld Plectrums. To my ears they offer minimal finger noise, balanced tone, and long life (unless you have corrosive finger oils, you should get 4-6 months or longer out of a set).
Thanks for mentioning the Thomastik. I'm definitely going to try them!
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Another vote for phospher bronze strings. Over the years I've preferred them on most of the Taylor guitars I've owned. The exceptions being hardwood topped guitars (i.e. my 320) where I like the 80/20 strings.
In fact, just pulled off a set of Elixir 80/20 strings from my 12 string for a set of regular D'Addario strings. Not that I enjoy changing strings, but they really work a lot better on my 150e.
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Boutique luthier Michael Millardof Groggy Bottom uses JP 80/20's on all his guitars. Says they make his instruments sound truest to their intended tone. Haven't yet tried using PB on my Froggy.
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From time to time I enjoy trying different string brands
I seem to always return to my Elixers 80/20 Nanos lights
On my Taylor 614 though, I can change out to the John Pearse Jazz Mediums from time to time and really enjoy the different sound and play-ability they give me
One of the great things about my guitar hobby is the opportunities to experiment and learn from tweaking this or that...
Enjoy your picking no matter whatever string decision you make!!
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I recently changed strings on my 214ce from the factory Elixir Nanoweb PB Lights to Nanoweb PB Med-Lights. At the same time I changed out the plastic bridge pins to ebony pins. The truss rod also got readjusted because it needed it anyway. I have noticed a distinct mellowing of the overall sound, and I like it! Saddle is the factory Micarta; same with nut.
I didn't dislike the bright tone with the lights, but the new strings impart a more rounded tone. Perhaps the bridge pins made a difference, too. Anyway, I'm quite pleased with the results.