Members bigald18 Posted January 30, 2017 Members Share Posted January 30, 2017 Put a set of Martin SP 80/20 Custom Lights on my new Tanglewood TW-73 parlor guitar today and what a difference it made to my ears (maybe not yours). Louder, better tone, better highs and lows than the Elixir that was on there. They were Nanoweb lights but I don't know if they were phosphor bronze or 80/20. Like the Martins much better and the Martins have been laying around for about 3 years in a closed package. I'm sure they won't last as long as Elixirs, but for $4 vs $14 per set for me on Social Security it's a no brainer. Never have been fond of coated strings except for the non-squeakiness of them. LOL Might try Martin Phosphor Bronze (uncoated) next time but not sure. Now if the weather might warm up a little here so my old fingers won't be so cold and stiff maybe my playing might sound better.LOL Cold here for Florida (40's at night, 55 during day). Yanks don't say a word! BigAl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted January 30, 2017 Members Share Posted January 30, 2017 Those are really nice strings. They were my go to for several years. I just got sick of how fast they died and the fact that they can change significantly during just one session of playing. I still prefer the sound of fresh uncoated strings like Martin SP or DR Sunbeams and would definitely use them for recording or a really important gig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members garthman Posted January 31, 2017 Members Share Posted January 31, 2017 Yeah. I use 80/20 strings on my acoustics. Much better than PB to my ears too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kwakatak Posted January 31, 2017 Members Share Posted January 31, 2017 To each their own. I've found that Martin strings sound brash on the first day, sound like heaven for about a week, then go stale quicker than white bread. Custom lights notwithstanding I actually prefer D'Addorio or DR Rares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted January 31, 2017 Members Share Posted January 31, 2017 They're brash for about 20 minutes of playing, which is less than it takes Elixirs to start sounding good. You're right about the Martin SPs sounding like heaven. I prefer them to DR for sheer tonal bliss and have yet to find a D'Addario acoustic string that sounds great by comparison, but they're consistent. I don't expect more than about 2 maybe 3 performances out of uncoated strings, but yeah, once SPs go they go quick. If I had a guitar tech and a successful music career I'd use Martin strings. Edit: I use PB not 80/20... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kwakatak Posted January 31, 2017 Members Share Posted January 31, 2017 It's the paper envelopes that Martin uses. I like that D'Addorio uses sealed plastic pouches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted January 31, 2017 Members Share Posted January 31, 2017 Yeah - I definitely prefer the sealed packaging as well. DR would be back on the menu for my acoustic electric if they did that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted January 31, 2017 Members Share Posted January 31, 2017 Happy New Strings Day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members davidself1001 Posted January 31, 2017 Members Share Posted January 31, 2017 I am with the majority. I prefer non-coated strings. I used to use Martin's prior to trying Elixir's but when i decided i didn't like them a friend had recommended the D'Addorio PB's and i have used them ever since. I seem to get a lot of wear from them (not like Elixir's) and i love the sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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