Strings

[jpwillD25]

Do try the JP 80/20 Bluegrass

~Jon

 

[West R Lee]

Do try the JP 80/20 Bluegrass

~Jon

Yes sir, I've tried them and like them a lot. As time goes on I'm beginning to understand what I like and want in strings. All completely subjective of course, but I think it's the mellow sound of 80/20 as opposed to the "brightness" of PB's. When I stop and think about it, the music I do is pretty mellow and that could be the reason for my preference, but 80/20 strings just seem to manipulate better fingerstyle. If I were a flatpicker or a guy that played rhythm for example, I might very well prefer PB's. I'm beginning to believe that the type music you play goes a long way to determining which type strings you prefer.

I think the same goes for lights vs medium vs heavy gauge strings. I think guys with a need for projection that need to cut through ambient noise and accompanying music probably prefer the mediums, and probably PB's, but 80/20 lights are great in small surroundings, though I think they sound just find miked or amplified.

Just personal preference.

West

 

[Ridgemont]

I can't help but laugh. All this time I thought I was an outsider looking in. I was under the impression that most people preferred phosphor bronze. For the longest time, I couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about. The come standard on almost every new guitar. And here I was in the corner with my 80/20s thinking they sounded more raw and true. I mainly stick to either EXPs or JP lights for my 80/20s but am open to others.

 

[West R Lee]

I can't help but laugh. All this time I thought I was an outsider looking in. I was under the impression that most people preferred phosphor bronze. For the longest time, I couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about. The come standard on almost every new guitar. And here I was in the corner with my 80/20s thinking they sounded more raw and true. I mainly stick to either EXPs or JP lights for my 80/20s but am open to others.

Nope, you're not alone Ridge, there's a bunch of us 80/20 guys here.

West

 

[adorshki]

Nope, you're not alone Ridge, there's a bunch of us 80/20 guys here.
West

Well I guess that beats bein' 5150's. :lol:
Seriously though the last time I tried 80/20's were Martin Marquis' on the '25 and they put some weird raspy overtones at the ends of the bridge pins (inside the box) as well as feeling stiffer to fret than same gauge PB's. I assumed it was a Martin peculiarity. Maybe I'll try some D'Addario 80/20's next time.

 

[Bill Ashton]

...then there are always GHS Vintage Bronze Lights, though I think they are 85/15...I don't find them more "bright" than PB...though don't care for them on my D55 (Tacoma, if that makes a difference)...my "go to" string for a fast change and great sound on by Gibson J-30 (spruce top, mahogany back/sides)...

 

[Bill Ashton]

Many people love 'em, and I will admit they sound real good, but to me any Martin string plays like a bridge cable...real, real stiff...

 

[adorshki]

Many people love 'em, and I will admit they sound real good, but to me any Martin string plays like a bridge cable...real, real stiff...

I bet you were the guy who said that before in another strings thread, 'cause I remember thinkin': "Yeah that's what I thought." :wink:
Maybe their motto should be "Can't bend 'em!" :lol:

 

[Bill Ashton]

Probably, and YES!

Actually, the metaphor as I use it actually comes from JP

 

[valleyguy]

I think it's the mellow sound of 80/20 as opposed to the "brightness" of PB's.
West

Wow, I think of 80/20s just the opposite, my experience the TWO times I tried them was that they were VERY bright for the first half of their life then went very mellow and dead quickly. I'm a flat picker BTW. Guess I'll have to try another set after I try out the PB Sunbeams Teem sent me to try (Thanks Teem)....

 

[West R Lee]

I think it's the mellow sound of 80/20 as opposed to the "brightness" of PB's.
West

Wow, I think of 80/20s just the opposite, my experience the TWO times I tried them was that they were VERY bright for the first half of their life then went very mellow and dead quickly. I'm a flat picker BTW. Guess I'll have to try another set after I try out the PB Sunbeams Teem sent me to try (Thanks Teem)....

Yeah, I think I'd probably prefer PB's if I were a flatpicker too.

West

 

[kdavid]

just a hacker here, but tried GHS, John Pearse, & all kinds of coated strings. i just keep going back to my standards--Martin Marquis pb's

 

[Ian]

Hey Jim,

I'm supposing all your strings have arrived by now, any chance of starting a new thread with the results of your experiments ? :idea:

Cheers, Ian

 

[spoonma243]

Ive used the Jp 80 20's twice now on my D40 and I think they are exceptional. I like the medium gauge on the adirondack top with a hard pick. Gonna try the PB's soon.

 

[hojo199]

This topic makes me neurotic. I just put a set of D'Addario PB on the DV-52 and am in love with those most hated (until now) strings. The PB did for that guitar what the 80/20';s just weren't doing. Am I fickle, psycho, unpredictable? Only about guitar strings.... Go figure.

 

[Treem]

Just to add more to the craziness on strings.......I like 80/20s on maple back&sides! :lol:

 

[bluesypicky]

Thanks Ian, TMG, Scratch, and everyone else that recommended the DR Rare....
I finally got to try them, and me like it!
Like the medium lite gauge too.... :wink:
I will get more!

 

[Ian]

I just got my 5 sets from Elderly, but havent had a chance to fit them on the D55 as yet. Jim how you getting on with your experiments ? What guitar did you put them on Pascal ?

 

[adorshki]

This topic makes me neurotic. I just put a set of D'Addario PB on the DV-52 and am in love with those most hated (until now) strings. The PB did for that guitar what the 80/20';s just weren't doing. Am I fickle, psycho, unpredictable? Only about guitar strings.... Go figure.

Personally I'm convinced that's who was supplying Guild when that guitar was made. So it makes perfect sense. I've spelled out my reasons to support my belief here before, but for now I'll just suggest doing some searching if you're interested in further research.

 

[bluesypicky]

I just got my 5 sets from Elderly, but havent had a chance to fit them on the D55 as yet. Jim how you getting on with your experiments ? What guitar did you put them on Pascal ?

I fitted the first set on the Dove, and will put the next set on the DV-52... I have a feeling they will sound even better on the rosewood box.