Knows Nothing Bout Strings

[degroove]

Greetings:

 

I have an Breedlove Atlas AC-250/CR that has a Cedar Top. It came new with Elixir strings. Since I am a guitar newbie, they sound fine to me, but I have ZERO experience with guitar strings. What would you all recommend me trying with this instrument. I play with a pick, but am intersted in fingerstyle.

 

Also, the tag on the guitar advertised Elixirs, but not the string guage Is there a standard string guage that is most likely similar to what I am using? I know string guage can impact setup, so I would want something similar to what I am using.

 

Thanks!

[rab05]

Most guitars ship with light gauge (.12's). The Elixers are alright, subject to some controversy around here... Some say they sound weird, but will sound weird a long time till they sound dull. The coating on them makes them last longer (so it's advertised) and might even give them a desired slicker feel and reduce on noise when moving fingers over strings.

If you like the elixers, try them again... the strings on there might have been old to begin with. Breedloves site says they ship with D'Addario EXP's, which are coated just like the Elixers... so you can give them a try too for another example of coated strings.

My money usually goes towards the D'Addario EJ phosphor bronze strings... for the price (less than half of elixers and EXP's) they sound great and last a decent while. I play a jumbo and went from the factory lights to mediums (EJ17's, .13's) and it very noticibly increased the tone I got from it, however, for a beginer, lights are probably better because you dont have to manhandle them around as much.

Martin phosphor bronze are around the same price as the D'Addario EJ's... Go into your local shop and talk with the guys there, tell them you are new and don't know much about strings... buy about 4 different kinds you know the names of and they reccomend then go home and play each one for a week or two and make your own judgements...

Also, keeping the same light gauge shouldnt require any tweaking on the action that putting medium strings on might require.

[BMCS]

My Martin came with Elixers. 10s I think (10-42?). Light strings tend to give a thinner more treble sound. There is an entire thread on Elixers, but I just don't care for them. Try a couple different types of picks while you at the store. They can effect the sound as well and having several types (thickness) will give you an idea what you prefer.

[degroove]

Originally posted by BMCS My Martin came with Elixers. 10s I think (10-42?). Light strings tend to give a thinner more treble sound. There is an entire thread on Elixers, but I just don't care for them. Try a couple different types of picks while you at the store. They can effect the sound as well and having several types (thickness) will give you an idea what you prefer.

Yeah, I made my way through the Elixer thread!! I want to try some non-elixirs just to see the difference. I am a bassist, so its so diffferent when you can go drop $20 on four kinds of strings when with bass you can drop $30 for a pair easy. Although they do last longer.



Thanks for the recommendations. Any more?