Guild D25 Strings!!

[Grad77]

Well I finally found the Guild D25 I wanted and I bought it!! Now I need to put new strings on it.
I am just getting my fingertips back into playing. Any suggestions on good string choices?

For a future note: Thoughts on changing the nut and saddle from original stock plastic to bone? :wink:

 

[killdeer43]

D'Addario EJ14, Bluegrass, Lt. Top/Med. Bot, .012-.056, 80/20 Bronze.

My string of choice for some time now. :wink:

Joe

 

[Ravon]

D'Addario EJ14, Bluegrass, Lt. Top/Med. Bot, .012-.056, 80/20 Bronze.

My string of choice for some time now. :wink:

Joe

+1 I love those strings. Ooops never mind. I never tried the 80/20 I use the PB Bluegrass in the same gauge as you Joe

 

[Ridgemont]

I have been using Martin FX lights which are pretty nice. Also can't go wrong with GHS or JPs in lights of either flavor.

 

[Ross]

hi Grad:

A D-25 has been my only acoustic since 1983. I've always used phosphor-bronze lights (.012-.053/54). I've used Martin Marquis or XP, but lately I've settled on D'Addario. These can be purchased in packs of 3 or 10 sets.

Lots of good ideas have been posted here. You should try different strings, and settle on what works for YOU.

As for saddle replacement, I installed a bone saddle a few years ago (bought a blank from Stew-Mac and sanded it to fit). It made a significant difference in sound. At the same time, I installed a brass Plate Mate (the bridge plate was getting chewed up). I left the original nut; it probably makes little difference to the sound.

Enjoy your Guild!

 

[killdeer43]

Lots of good ideas have been posted here. You should try different strings, and settle on what works for YOU.

There it is, the old bottom line!

You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself. :wink:

Joe

 

[davismanLV]

Everyone likes something a little different in sound, and with it being so subjective the choices will be all over the place. Good advice to try different ones. So far in this life, my favorite strings across the board with the guitars that I have are GHS Bright Bronze lights. My favorite strings. However, almost every time I order strings (Strings and Beyond has great prices and excellent service) I pick a different type of string that I've never used before.... just to see.

Last time it was the DR Sunbeams, and although they sounded okay (if a bit mellow) I noticed that the volume diminished greatly as they aged, and for the additional cost, I won't be ordering those again. However, now I know that.

Yesterday I ordered new strings and along with several sets of my faves, I tried two new different ones that I've never tried before, one being the GHS Cryogenic Laurence Juber Signature Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings. They were two bucks more than my favorites, but let's just see how they do.

Enjoy the journey!!

 

[GardMan]

I play John Pearse 80/20 lights on my D-25. Never thought it needed the extra bass from bluegrass gauge. It is the only one of mine still with 80/20s (tho' I plan to try 80/20s on my DV-73 next change). The D-25 has so much sustain, it sounds a little mushy with PBs.

Just spend a few changes trying different strings.

 

[valleyguy]

I don't like the sound of PBs on my D25, I use Martin SP 80/20 lights, but YMMV.

 

[kitniyatran]

We've been through this a few times before; I settled on GHS Silk & Bronze, 12 - 54 on mine.

 

[mutantmoose]

I've got John Pearse Lights on mine, and I'm really happy with them. I want to try the first set mentioned, though.

Bone saddle - absolutely. But it really has to be done right - I'm seeing too many guitars with absolutely flat saddles that don't match the radius of the fretboard. Nasty sounding and almost unplayable.

Bone nut - eh, if you need to replace the nut, use bone or tusq or something good, but if it is still good and not binding the strings, don't worry about it.

You didn't indicate how old the guitar is, but if the bridge pins are chewed up AT ALL, then replace them with something good - I really like Tusg pins, they don't seem to get chewed up, but aren't that heavy either. They won't deaden the sound. Good pins don't really improve the sound, but they save the bridge plate (the chunk of wood under the bridge) from excessive wear. Chewed up pins let the ball ends of the strings dig in to the plate, wearing it out prematurely.