String suggestions, please

[JerseyGuy]

I have an Alvarez-Yairi DY-61, a slope-shouldered dread of mahogany and cedar top. It's the first 6-string I ever bought, about 26 years ago, and although I've bought and sold a bunch of guitars, I can't bring myself to part with it. It has a very bright sound, but a little too bright at times. I am wondering if I could find a type of string that would not enhance the brightness. I've tried swapping out heavier versions of the low E and the A, but that doesn't seem to help. Any suggestions for a type of string that is NOT bright? Thanks.

[Grant Harding]

Elixir phosphor bronze are less "zingy" than uncoated strings, particularly 80/20's. Silk and steel would be warmer still.

[DeepEnd]

Try various phosphor bronze strings. koiwoi is right in telling you to avoid 80/20's. Given that it's a 26 year old guitar I'd also put lights on it. d'Addario Flat Tops are fairly mellow sounding but they're also not cheap.

[Freeman Keller]

Plus one to what DE and Koiwoi have said.   There are two major compositions in acoustic guitar strings are commonly called  80/20 (which is the alloy composition, 80 percent copper) and Phosphor Bronze (PB, 90 percent copper)   Of the two PB's are usually considered to be "warm" while 80/20 are commonly called "bright".   Adding a coating like Elixer Polyweb or Nanoweb (poly is a heavier coating) will mellow the sound a little more..  When brand new strings tend to be a little brighter - old strings mellow some before they completely die.

If PB's aren't warm enough for you try to find a set of Reds (thats all they are called, I don't know the manufacture).   They are something like 99 percent copper and are very warm sounding.   I was given a set but didn't really care for them - went back to PB's which seem to be about right on my guitars.

String gauge (diameter) has very little effect on the tone of the string but does change the loudness slightly.  

[Graeca]

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koiwoi wrote:

Elixir phosphor bronze are less "zingy" than uncoated strings, particularly 80/20's. Silk and steel would be warmer still.

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Good call. Elixer Polywebs are even lesss bright.

[masterbuilt]

My vote is on the Silk & Steels. They are easier on the fingers, too.

[JerseyGuy]

Thanks, everyone!

[Freeman Keller]

Jersy, don't forget that you can change the sound a lot with technique.  Pick closer to the bridge and it will be brighter, move towards the fingerboard and it will be warmer.   Also, if you play fingerstyle, using more nail will be brighter, more flesh warmer.