dwasifar
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Hi folks.
As I mentioned in a couple of other threads, I'm about to start a "blind" string test of phosphor bronze lights (12s) from a variety of different brands. (I'm putting "blind" in quotes here because a true blind test would have more controls than I'm able to bring to bear, as you'll see in a moment.) I could have continued the earlier thread to do this, but I wanted a fresh start for the "official" test, and also I wanted to get away from the lingering stench of the Orphee strings.
Here is how the test will work. I've obtained several various string sets. Each time I'm ready to put a new set on, my wife will randomly select a set in another room and bring them to me unpackaged. (This is the "blind" part.) I'll install the set on the guitar (a 2021 Oxnard-built D-55), play them, and evaluate them at three intervals: immediately, after two days' break-in, and after two weeks. Typically I leave strings on for a month at a time, so any test set I leave on for a full month will receive a final evaluation; but if I really don't like a set, I'm not going to play them any longer than two weeks. I'll be making and posting personal assessments of tone, volume, construction quality, and ease of play. (I know those things are partly or fully subjective, but it's the best I can do.)
After the two-week evaluation, my wife will show me the packaging for the set I've been evaluating, and I'll finally know.
For those who are of a more scientific mindset, I do plan to collect some objective data on each set as well. I'll be maintaining a downloadable spreadsheet containing my evaluations but also some physical descriptions and measurements. I'll check the gauges of each string to see how closely they conform to what's stated on the package. I'll measure the strings for length. And I will do a rough check of flexibility by means of a testing jig I built:
Basically a string sample gets clamped into the jig:
And then a weight (the binder clip, with a hole drilled in it) is attached to measure how far the weight deflects the string:
It's not a precision instrument, but it should still provide some useful comparisons. I'm still working on where along the sample to attach the weight for best data.
The strings being tested are:
Now, I'm sure some of you have seen a flaw in the procedure here. "Dwasifar," you cry plaintively, "you'll know the D'Addarios because of the color coding." And that's true. It's true of the Rotosounds, too; and it's true of the DR Sunbeams because they're round core. This is one reason why I included a set of XT, the only coated string in this test. I added them (at the last minute) so that when I get a set with D'Addario color coding I won't know whether it's the XT or the EJ16; and when that happens I will ask my wife not to show me the packaging at the end of the two weeks, but rather bring out the other D'Addario set next, so I can review them back to back. It's not totally blind in that I'll know they're D'Addario, but I won't know which D'Addario until I've played them both. As for the Rotosounds and Sunbeams, well, all I can do is try to pretend I don't know and be as objective as I can.
To further "blind" it up, I have included three sets of Martin MA540. Why? Well, just to add a little more uncertainty about what I'm playing. Right now the guitar has Martins on it, and they sound great, so I figure it wouldn't hurt to have them come up more than once, to make things a bit more random and also to see if I rate them the same each time. I'll bet I don't, which would sort of invalidate some of the more subjective elements of the test, but on the other hand it's valuable information in itself. Why Martin and not any of the others? Because right now, on sale for $4.99, they're cheapest, and doing multiple sets of multiple brands would take years to complete. As the test group stands now, it will probably take the better part of a year to finish.
That's it. Test begins on Jan 1, 2022. If anyone has any suggestions, tips, or pointers before I start, I'm all ears.
Downloadable spreadsheet of results here.
Edited 01/08/2022 to add Black Diamond and Magma sets.
Edited 03/17/2022 to add indexing links to the start of each tested string's evaluation period.
As I mentioned in a couple of other threads, I'm about to start a "blind" string test of phosphor bronze lights (12s) from a variety of different brands. (I'm putting "blind" in quotes here because a true blind test would have more controls than I'm able to bring to bear, as you'll see in a moment.) I could have continued the earlier thread to do this, but I wanted a fresh start for the "official" test, and also I wanted to get away from the lingering stench of the Orphee strings.
Here is how the test will work. I've obtained several various string sets. Each time I'm ready to put a new set on, my wife will randomly select a set in another room and bring them to me unpackaged. (This is the "blind" part.) I'll install the set on the guitar (a 2021 Oxnard-built D-55), play them, and evaluate them at three intervals: immediately, after two days' break-in, and after two weeks. Typically I leave strings on for a month at a time, so any test set I leave on for a full month will receive a final evaluation; but if I really don't like a set, I'm not going to play them any longer than two weeks. I'll be making and posting personal assessments of tone, volume, construction quality, and ease of play. (I know those things are partly or fully subjective, but it's the best I can do.)
After the two-week evaluation, my wife will show me the packaging for the set I've been evaluating, and I'll finally know.
For those who are of a more scientific mindset, I do plan to collect some objective data on each set as well. I'll be maintaining a downloadable spreadsheet containing my evaluations but also some physical descriptions and measurements. I'll check the gauges of each string to see how closely they conform to what's stated on the package. I'll measure the strings for length. And I will do a rough check of flexibility by means of a testing jig I built:
Basically a string sample gets clamped into the jig:
And then a weight (the binder clip, with a hole drilled in it) is attached to measure how far the weight deflects the string:
It's not a precision instrument, but it should still provide some useful comparisons. I'm still working on where along the sample to attach the weight for best data.
The strings being tested are:
| Maker | Name | Model | Tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond | Phosphor Bronze Light 12-53 | N600L | Set E |
| D'Addario | Phosphor Bronze Light Gauge | EJ16 | |
| D'Addario | XT | XTABP1253 | |
| Darco | Acoustic Lights 12's | D220 | Set H |
| DR | Sunbeam | RCA-12 | Set F |
| DR | Veritas | VTA-12 | |
| Dunlop | Phosphor Bronze 12/54 | DAP1254 | Set B |
| Ernie Ball | Earthwood | 2146 | |
| GHS | Americana Series | S425 Light | |
| John Pearse | Phosphor Bronze Wound Light Gauge | 600L | Set A |
| La Bella | Phosphor Bronze Light | 7GPS | |
| Magma | Phosphor Bronze Med/Lt 12-54 | GA140PB | Set G |
| Martin | Authentic Acoustic SP | MA540 | Set D |
| Rotosound | Jumbo King | JK12 | |
| SIT Strings | Royal Bronze Fusion Wound | RL1254 | |
| Webstrings | Portland Acoustic | Light | Set C |
Now, I'm sure some of you have seen a flaw in the procedure here. "Dwasifar," you cry plaintively, "you'll know the D'Addarios because of the color coding." And that's true. It's true of the Rotosounds, too; and it's true of the DR Sunbeams because they're round core. This is one reason why I included a set of XT, the only coated string in this test. I added them (at the last minute) so that when I get a set with D'Addario color coding I won't know whether it's the XT or the EJ16; and when that happens I will ask my wife not to show me the packaging at the end of the two weeks, but rather bring out the other D'Addario set next, so I can review them back to back. It's not totally blind in that I'll know they're D'Addario, but I won't know which D'Addario until I've played them both. As for the Rotosounds and Sunbeams, well, all I can do is try to pretend I don't know and be as objective as I can.
To further "blind" it up, I have included three sets of Martin MA540. Why? Well, just to add a little more uncertainty about what I'm playing. Right now the guitar has Martins on it, and they sound great, so I figure it wouldn't hurt to have them come up more than once, to make things a bit more random and also to see if I rate them the same each time. I'll bet I don't, which would sort of invalidate some of the more subjective elements of the test, but on the other hand it's valuable information in itself. Why Martin and not any of the others? Because right now, on sale for $4.99, they're cheapest, and doing multiple sets of multiple brands would take years to complete. As the test group stands now, it will probably take the better part of a year to finish.
That's it. Test begins on Jan 1, 2022. If anyone has any suggestions, tips, or pointers before I start, I'm all ears.
Downloadable spreadsheet of results here.
Edited 01/08/2022 to add Black Diamond and Magma sets.
Edited 03/17/2022 to add indexing links to the start of each tested string's evaluation period.
Last edited:
and then 9 gauge 12 strings sets 
