80/20s vs PBs on Rosewood

[Antney]

Does anyone have any comparisons of using lights 80/20s vs PBs on a rosewood dread? I use exclusively elixir nanoweb pbs, sound great finger or flat picking, but if the strumming gets faster or heavier the mids and bass can muddy up a bit. I read somewhere 80/20s can sometimes be a better fit for rosewood.

 

[gjmalcyon]

I used to put 80/20's on my DV-6 and F-47 (both Tacoma rosewood instruments) and PB's on everything else. Then the Orpheum 14-fret RW dreadnought showed up and it sounds better with PB's.

This all led me to the conclusion that it varies instrument-by-instrument AND by string manufacturer and if I fall into the "80/20's for rosewood and PB's for everything else" stereotyping trap, I might miss the right string/manufacturer combo of each instrument. I've settled on John Pearse and Curt Mangan for strings, and continue to experiment with different combinations.

I would NOT be able to tell you definitively (at least yet), what the optimum string is for each guitar in the herd.

 

[Westerly Wood]

I used to be a D'Addario EJ16 snob. I admit it, happily. Phosphor bronze .12-.53 good ole D'As.
Now I have since moved onto EJ11s, which are 80/20 bronze and D'As original string alloy. I like how the metal ages once the strings are broken in and less metal stain on my finger pads vs EJ16s.

But I am no longer snobby about it. Just happy I have found my string of choice, it's kind of like finding your beer brand.

 

[GGJaguar]

I keep a journal to document how a particular string brand and type sounds on each of my acoustic guitars. It's helpful because it can give me clues on what to use on a guitar that is "dark" (i.e. - find a bright sounding string for it). It takes time, but in the long run is worth it. It's also fun to try new brands or types when they are on sale. I think I have some Galli strings in the cue next. I can't really directly answer your question, other than to suggest trying various strings. Some PBs sound good on my rosewood guitars, others not. Same for 80/20s. None of the rosewoods like monel strings at all!

 

[HeyMikey]

Depends on the guitar. Generally I prefer PBs, but if the guitar sounds too dark or favors the bass end more than I like the 80/20s often help add a little life to the overall sound. Right now I am only using 80/20s on my A-50 rosewood flat top.

 

[GardMan]

I have been playing Jon Pearse strings for maybe 10 years now, and compared PBs vs 80/20s on most, if not all of my Guilds at some point. I found I preferred PBs on everything EXCEPT my D-25M. The D-25 was my DADGAD guitar... PBs made it sound muddy and indistinct, but it sang with 80/20s.

 

[hearth_man]

I used to be a D'Addario EJ16 snob. I admit it, happily. Phosphor bronze .12-.53 good ole D'As.
Now I have since moved onto EJ11s, which are 80/20 bronze and D'As original string alloy. I like how the metal ages once the strings are broken in and less metal stain on my finger pads vs EJ16s.

But I am no longer snobby about it. Just happy I have found my string of choice, it's kind of like finding your beer brand.

West,

I am with you... D'A 80/20's all around!