Martin strings-is there a difference?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by mark haselock on June 1, 2012 at 6:01am

good one ,,the only way is to try and see what the sound difference is like,,,i know that my martin d16 sounds stunning with light gauge strings on, the guitar sounds so different

Permalink Reply by Edward Sparks on June 1, 2012 at 10:33am

I don't know if the sound varies from type of set to type of set...I assume it does and that it's not just a gimmick!  If it is then they have fooled the masses!  Years ago I found the type of strings I like and have stuck with them! My Martin D28 gets light gauge M140s, my Guild 12 gets tuned to pitch (has two truss rods in the neck) with Martin Extra light 12 string set, my two Gibson acoustics get a Martin "Bluegrass" hybrid set with light top and medium bottom strings...Although I have to string many different brands of guitars, I have pretty much stuck with Martin brand strings...they just do the job for me and with my playing schedule I need to change the strings on from 5 to 7 guitars every two weeks, so it helps that I can buy my strings in bulk from Juststrings.com...check them out, great selection, great prices incredible service!   Hope this helps...Edward

 

Permalink Reply by Michael S. Jackson on June 1, 2012 at 12:02pm

What? Of course there is a HUGE difference! The EC strings are Eric Clapton's CHOICE!!!! If you buy these strings in lieu of the FX 92/8 strings which are exactly the same materials, the same manufacturning process, come off the same machines, etc., you WILL be a much better player! You'll instantly and expertly be able to play all 29 Robert Johnson songs (with Eric's embellishments). Just think - no more practicing! It'll be just like playing a radio... no effort at all!

Come to think of it, I wrote a story about that subject. Has a great ending.

Seriously, Mark, I've used both on my EC-OM and don't hear or feel a difference.

m

Permalink Reply by FloridaGull on June 1, 2012 at 12:22pm

If that's what happens when you try Eric Clapton strings, I think I'll go out and get a set of Cleartones - Tommy Emmanuel supposedly uses them...

And if I want to get "electric-y", I guess I'll try David Gilmour signature strings...I like the Floyd... ;-)

Permalink Reply by Mark Kennedy on June 2, 2012 at 8:01am

Sweet! Thanks Michael...I knew there was shortcut somewhere to all this practicing. ;)

Permalink Reply by Edward Sparks on June 1, 2012 at 3:08pm

It's all in the ear of the beholder!  

 

Permalink Reply by Ed Rhoades on June 8, 2012 at 1:05pm

On some of my guitars, which strings I use makes a huge difference...on others...I can't see any change. I'm one of those players who doesn't prefer the bright metallic sound of new strings. I like them broken in a little. Recently, I've been playing my HD28, D15M, and DC1E more than my other guitars. I have too many guitars to be changing strings on a lot.  No matter what I put on my old D18 and HD28...they sound great.  Once at a show, I let someone play my D18 and his hands must have had some heavy perspiration, because after he played them, they had a dull thud and needed changing. 

I'm grateful I don't need to change my strings every two weeks like Ed, but if I wanted that extra bright sound I would need to change constantly.   Months ago, I found a very old set of Martin strings that had never been open. I put them on one of my Martins and they sounded great, but I find strings also wear out just being on a guitar. 

Elixirs sound more broken in and the coating protects them from perspiration. I prefer Elixirs for recording because they have far less finger squeak sounds. I suspect they're not quite as loud though for an acoustic jam, the new SP strings sound fine on my guitars.

Permalink Reply by Edward Sparks on June 8, 2012 at 2:17pm

Some people have a condition in their skin that reacts to the metal and co