Members jb1911 Posted May 23, 2005 Members Posted May 23, 2005 I've been playing guitar for 35 years and I just bought a Martin DM. I use Super Slinkies on my Strats and Teles (9-42). What strings do you guys think I would like on my Martin? I don't like the wound 3rd string.
Members rockguitar2000 Posted May 23, 2005 Members Posted May 23, 2005 I hear lots of people swear by Elixer strings. they last a long time and are coated with something. Chris
Members Cldplytkmn Posted May 23, 2005 Members Posted May 23, 2005 every guitar is different. I like EB electric strings, but think they blow for acoustics. everyone has their own opinions. what you need to do is try as many different sets as you can in as short a period of time as possible. whatever your budget allows. I'd put on a new set, play the hell out of them the first night, then play them the next night and that should tell you what they sound like when settled in.
Members mrbigisbudgood Posted May 23, 2005 Members Posted May 23, 2005 Originally posted by rockguitar2000 I hear lots of people swear by Elixer strings. they last a long time and are coated with something.Chris Get the nano-web Elixers.
Members onetubetone Posted May 23, 2005 Members Posted May 23, 2005 You can give Elixirs a try... personally I really dislike them. My favorite are Phosphor bronze strings... Martin SPs are nice and can be had at most guitar stores. My personal favorite, however, is Newtone Masterclass PB... last long, song amazing. Check them out.
Members knockwood Posted May 23, 2005 Members Posted May 23, 2005 I didn't use any strings for the first year or so that I played guitar. Easy on the fingers that way, cheaper than Elixirs, and gave off a nice, kind of airy sound... There is also the fact that my first "guitar" was a frying pan my father gave me to halt my constant bitching about wanting a guitar, but that is neither here nor there. If you do go the frying pan route, I recommend T-Fal. It is teflon-coated and thus you will not have to worry about scrambled eggs sticking to your guitar - which, I learned the hard way, is quite a turn-off to chicks.
Members The Master Posted May 23, 2005 Members Posted May 23, 2005 As far as the 3rd string goes, that's something you're gonna have to deal with. You can play with extremely light guages that may have nonwound 3rd strings, like 10, but you'll get absolutely no tone. I play DR. Rare Phosphor. DRs are the best strings you can get, IMO. I've never played their coated strings.
Members UGB Posted May 23, 2005 Members Posted May 23, 2005 the hardest thing an electric player has to overcome when picking up an acoustic is to not try and play the acoustic like an electric and I say this from the position of experience. Forget about killer string bends, forget about notes that sustain forever and just focus on clean chording and picking patterns. Light gauge strings, 12's, are pretty much the industry standard, meaning if you can put those on your acoustic and learn to play them then you can play pretty much anybody's acoustic. One day I might try a set of extra lights, 10's, on a Blueridge just to see how loud it is. Being that they are killer loud guitars to begin with, maybe the lighter gauge set wouldn't be as nasty on them.
Members onetubetone Posted May 23, 2005 Members Posted May 23, 2005 Yeah, I'd definately recommend 11's, 12's or 13's to start out with, depending on your playing style and the tone you want. 10's are really light and sound flimsy, and anything higher than 13s is just very difficult to play.
Members solitaire Posted May 23, 2005 Members Posted May 23, 2005 Originally posted by rockguitar2000 I hear lots of people swear by Elixer strings. they last a long time and are coated with something.Chris More so to indulge themselves the strings aren't that dull sounding as their ears tell them, if you ask me. Yes they're coated at delivery, but the nylon stockings will only stay on for about 6 months or so till they start shedding. Nothing beats DMS Alchemy in terms of longevity and tonal output combined, great rythm strings. A wet cloth every 6 months and they'll go on forever. Looking for a brighter sounding string that will also last you a while? - then the BlueSteel is your answer. More punch and longer ring (and 100% less insulation) than Elixirs.
Members bradberry00 Posted May 23, 2005 Members Posted May 23, 2005 I have just switched to BlueSteels (custom lights) on my Martin D-16R in the last few days, and they sound OUTSTANDING! I would definately recommend them as well. Before these, I've also had pretty good luck with the Martin SP phosphor bronze.
Members ChuckM Posted May 24, 2005 Members Posted May 24, 2005 I've had my DM for 6 yrs and use either Martin SP or D'Aaddario 80/20 lights. I think Phosphor Bronze gives the guitar too" bright" a sound. Don't care for coated strings. Is your DM new or used? Just curious. Chuck
Members jb1911 Posted May 24, 2005 Author Members Posted May 24, 2005 I got a coupon in the mail from Sam Ash for $100 off anyting over $399. I went to the one in Burbank, southwest of Chicago and tried a dozen or so different guitars. The DM won the contest, without any doubt. I got the thing brand new for $649.95. I really love it, but the strings are a little bit heavy for me. I'm used to playing electric guitars and when I went back to my AVRI Strat, I couldn't beleive how easy it was to play. I think I'm going to try D'addario EJ16s first. It has 13s on it now and I think 12s will be a little more to my liking.
Members ChuckM Posted May 25, 2005 Members Posted May 25, 2005 The reason I asked about new or used, if yours is anything like mine, it will "open up" and sound even better than it does now. Good choice on strings. I've also changed the pins to ebony but that is the only modifying I've done. Will probably try a bone saddle it the future.
Members JasmineTea Posted May 25, 2005 Members Posted May 25, 2005 Originally posted by jb1911 I've been playing guitar for 35 years and I just bought a Martin DM. I use Super Slinkies on my Strats and Teles (9-42). What strings do you guys think I would like on my Martin? I don't like the wound 3rd string. Don't be such a {censored}. If you want to play acoustic guitar, don't expect it to play like an electric. I use 10-46 on my electrics, 12-54 on acoustics, and I'm a 90 pound weekling with thick glasses.
Members tamolina Posted May 25, 2005 Members Posted May 25, 2005 If you are used to playing electrics, light strings will ease your transition to an acoustic.
Members jb1911 Posted May 25, 2005 Author Members Posted May 25, 2005 Originally posted by JasmineTea Don't be such a {censored}.If you want to play acoustic guitar, don't expect it to play like an electric. I use 10-46 on my electrics, 12-54 on acoustics, and I'm a 90 pound weekling with thick glasses. I just said: "I think I'm going to try D'addario EJ16s first. It has 13s on it now and I think 12s will be a little more to my liking." Then you call me a {censored} for wanting to try the same strings you are using. Am I missing something, or are you?
Members JasmineTea Posted May 25, 2005 Members Posted May 25, 2005 Originally posted by jb1911 Am I missing something, or are you? I am. Sorry, I did'nt bother to read the rest of the thread.Enjoy your new guitar!
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