Author Topic: Go from PBs to 80/20s because of "that" guitar?  (Read 1672 times)

Edward

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Go from PBs to 80/20s because of "that" guitar?
« on: July 18, 2014, 11:48:46 PM »
Long-time convert and devotee of Phospher Bronze, more specifically Elixir PBs.  But experimenting with fine-tuning the balance of one particularly "deep" sounding guit, I'm now wondering: who here has made the intentional, conscious shift from PB to 80/20 because of one particular guitar's voicing?  Just wondering aloud here....  Chime in if you've made that change because somehow that one guitar benefitted from it (if not "needed" it outright).

Edward

Ciarre

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Re: Go from PBs to 80/20s because of "that" guitar?
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2014, 09:47:51 PM »
I did for the 514.

Strumming Fool

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Re: Go from PBs to 80/20s because of "that" guitar?
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2014, 08:09:25 AM »
I've done it before with mixed results. I'm going to try it again one of my darker-sounding guitars with Cleartones. I'll let you know.....
My Taylor Grand Auditoriums:

1997 Cujo14 - old growth cedar/black walnut
2014 K24e - master grade koa
2018 Custom GA - bear claw sitka spruce/mahogany
2019 614 - torrified sitka spruce/flamed maple
2020 714 - lutz spruce/rosewood

Edward

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Re: Go from PBs to 80/20s because of "that" guitar?
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2014, 12:35:55 PM »
Thanks for the feedback, guys!

SF,
Yes, I'd definitely appreciate you chiming back in with what your thoughts between the cleartones vs elixir PBs

Ciarre,
So elixir PB to elixir 80/20 ...what were your final impressions?

Edward

Ciarre

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Re: Go from PBs to 80/20s because of "that" guitar?
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2014, 11:40:56 PM »
The PB sounded pretty decent, don't get me wrong, but the cedar/mahogany combo seemed to muffle the bass notes to my ear. I guess that's what people mean when they say it was "muddy".
The 80-20s are a lot more balanced and the bass doesn't cloud the overall sound. This subjective experience has repeated itself even with different brands of strings, so I'm convinced they are the best for my 514.

TaylorMate

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Re: Go from PBs to 80/20s because of "that" guitar?
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2014, 11:30:05 AM »
I am no devotee of anystring. On my 812 I went (after some string errantry) from Elixir PB's to Martin 80/20's and I still think they produce on that guit the best result. But they squeak a bit too much. I have a set of Elixir HD light's waiting for a try. Who knows...
If you dig it, do it; if you dig it a lot, do it twice (Jim Croce)

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Jersey tuning

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Re: Go from PBs to 80/20s because of "that" guitar?
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2014, 02:00:06 PM »
I acquired a Froggy Bottom small bodied guitar last fall.  The luthier, Michael Millard, strings his guitars with 80/20, because he believes they give the guitar the sound he intended them to have.  The guitar sounds awesome.   Who am I to argue?

Every other guitar I own is strung with PB's.   I am, however, about to string my Taylor custom GC with a PB Elixir HD light set for the first time.
CURRENTLY PLAYING

'30 Martin 2-17 solid Mahogany
'97 Tacoma PK-30 Sitka/koa
'99 Alhambra 11C classical cedar/EIR
'05 TAYLOR 614ce 
'07 Breedlove Atlas 12-string Sitka/Mahogany
'10 Froggy Bottom "C" Adi/Brazilian   
'11 TAYLOR BTO GC 12-fret sinker/EIR.  
'14 Alvarez Baritone Sitka/Mahogany
'18 Cordoba hybrid Flamenco Euro Spruce/Ziricote
'23 M. Colbert Baritone Alaskan Sitka/Black Limba multiscale with Manzer wedge

Strumming Fool

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Re: Go from PBs to 80/20s because of "that" guitar?
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2014, 05:54:51 PM »

SF,
Yes, I'd definitely appreciate you chiming back in with what your thoughts between the cleartones vs elixir PBs

Edward


Okay, I put the Cleartones on my '97 Cujo (cedar/walnut GA - thick as molasses sound). The Cleartones definitely increase the clarity, but the note decay is a bit quicker. Overtones are different, but still very nice. I'm going to live with these a while - they certainly don't suck....
« Last Edit: July 22, 2014, 08:17:11 AM by Strumming Fool »
My Taylor Grand Auditoriums:

1997 Cujo14 - old growth cedar/black walnut
2014 K24e - master grade koa
2018 Custom GA - bear claw sitka spruce/mahogany
2019 614 - torrified sitka spruce/flamed maple
2020 714 - lutz spruce/rosewood

Edward

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Re: Go from PBs to 80/20s because of "that" guitar?
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2014, 02:41:31 AM »
Thanks for that, SF!  I may check out the clear tones alongside the elixir 80/20.  I appreciate you chiming back and sharing!
Like all things " tone" there is no substitute for giving it an  actual try :)

Edward