New Strings For F50R

Greenstar

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I currently have a set of EJ19 light mediums on it now but I’m not liking the balance from the light e and b to the medium E, A D strings. I am thinking about putting a set of mediums on it tomorrow and I have a bunch to choose from. Does anyone have any experience with any of these sets on an F50R? John Pearce pb or 80/20, DR Sunbeams or Veritas, D’addarrio 80/20 Or EJ17s?

Are there any other brands / gauges that make this model sing? I also have a bunch of different light gauge strings, Martin, Elixir HDs, EJ16s, DR Veritas if maybe I’m missing the boat by gauging up. As always I value everyone’s input here.

I have a set of EJ17s on my Gibson SJ200 maple and they sound phenomenal on that guitar.
 

Greenstar

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Got the smoker going on the back patio for a nice Sunday morning start to an all day Boston butt. My strings are laid out but haven’t made a choice yet. Nobody with an F50R can make a recommendation? I’d hate to waste a set with the limited supply available out there right now.
 

fronobulax

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As a bass player who rarely changes strings I am continually amazed at how important strings are to players of acoustics. I will, however, make the observation that strings are comparatively cheap (two or three lattes?) so making a mistake is usually not a great financial hardship. If you like "fresh" strings you will be going through this again in a month or two anyway. So pick one, put it on, enjoy your day and report back with your chocie and whether it was a good one or something you will never do again :)
 

Coop47

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Sorry, I've only had EJ16s on mine, and planning to try EJ19s next.
 

Greenstar

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As a bass player who rarely changes strings I am continually amazed at how important strings are to players of acoustics. I will, however, make the observation that strings are comparatively cheap (two or three lattes?) so making a mistake is usually not a great financial hardship. If you like "fresh" strings you will be going through this again in a month or two anyway. So pick one, put it on, enjoy your day and report back with your chocie and whether it was a good one or something you will never do again :)


I feel you on bass strings. I have 4 basses and haven’t changed the strings on any of them in four years. I guess I really like that James Jamerson sound!

My acoustic guitars are completely different animals however and string price has nothing to do with selection. Supply chain, at the moment, does however so I was looking for a friendly suggestion from another owner of this model. It sounds flat so maybe someone has had good luck with 80/20s. Something similar to that. FWIW I hate changing strings so a push in the right direction was all I was asking for. Changing 4 strings every few years is quite less of a chore than 6 every month or so on 20 something guitars.

Cheers
 

Greenstar

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Sorry, I've only had EJ16s on mine, and planning to try EJ19s next.

I have EJ19s on it now. I think the issue with my guitar is the guy I bought it from is a luthier and he set it up for mediums. I checked the nut action and the B string is a tad too low sort of choking it out. Other than that they sound pretty darn good on this guitar so I think you’ll really like them. I have EJ19s on several guitars and they never disappoint.
 

Brad Little

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I've used bothe EJ-16 and EJ-17 on my F-50 blond for years, and the 12 string version on my F-512 (RW). Tried others over the years, always came back to these.
 

Greenstar

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I've used bothe EJ-16 and EJ-17 on my F-50 blond for years, and the 12 string version on my F-512 (RW). Tried others over the years, always came back to these.

Thanks Brad. I actually had the EJ17s in my hand when you sent that. I’ll slap them on and report back!

Enjoy your Sunday
 

Stuball48

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And giving the EJ16 lights a "time at bat" might get them a little more playing time.
 

fronobulax

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I feel you on bass strings. I have 4 basses and haven’t changed the strings on any of them in four years. I guess I really like that James Jamerson sound!

My acoustic guitars are completely different animals however and string price has nothing to do with selection. Supply chain, at the moment, does however so I was looking for a friendly suggestion from another owner of this model. It sounds flat so maybe someone has had good luck with 80/20s. Something similar to that. FWIW I hate changing strings so a push in the right direction was all I was asking for. Changing 4 strings every few years is quite less of a chore than 6 every month or so on 20 something guitars.

Cheers


I've got a receipt for a set of Rotosound rounds that were bought in 1976 and they are still on a bass :)

I didn't catch the "supply chain" comment/issue. It's not like they are toilet paper but I can imagine circumstances where if you don't get it right now you have to live with it for several months. Hope the smoking is proceeding nicely.
 

Greenstar

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I've got a receipt for a set of Rotosound rounds that were bought in 1976 and they are still on a bass :)

I didn't catch the "supply chain" comment/issue. It's not like they are toilet paper but I can imagine circumstances where if you don't get it right now you have to live with it for several months. Hope the smoking is proceeding nicely.

I love Rotosounds! Have them on all my basses except for flats on my Fender P.

Great day for some hickory smoking, a little strumming and the past due string changes.

The EJ17s sound great and have solved the B string issue. Thanks everyone and enjoy your Sunday!
 

chazmo

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I've strung a number of F-50Rs with the John Pearse phosphor-bronze strings. They're my personal favorite. But, as for suggesting which strings make a guitar sing.... I suggest that you're asking the wrong question...

Different strings make the biggest difference in sound that you can make to you guitar. Your favorite sound might be anything from silk & steel or Thomastik SPectrum-style all the way to the 80/20 or even high-copper strings. The fun is in the hunt, Greenstar!

Anyway, good luck!
 

Greenstar

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The EJ17s have absolutely opened this guitar up. It sounds huge now. My buddy came over and played some Bluegrass on it and he was absolutely blown away with the tone. I should have had mediums on it all along.
 

Greenstar

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I've got a receipt for a set of Rotosound rounds that were bought in 1976 and they are still on a bass :)

I didn't catch the "supply chain" comment/issue. It's not like they are toilet paper but I can imagine circumstances where if you don't get it right now you have to live with it for several months. Hope the smoking is proceeding nicely.

I was wondering all day yesterday about your receipt from 76. Can you still see the price on it? I would love to know what they cost back then in relation to what we spend on them now.
 

fronobulax

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Scan_0001.jpg


78 not 76. Veneman Music in Rockville MD. $18.50 Color is off on the scan because the package is still a dark red.
 

Westerly Wood

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EJ12 or 17s if you must go medium. the 12s are 80/20.
I really like the 80/20 bronze now from D'A, their original alloy, and they break in well after a week or so.
 

Greenstar

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Scan_0001.jpg


78 not 76. Veneman Music in Rockville MD. $18.50 Color is off on the scan because the package is still a dark red.

Heck, they have always been expensive strings! That's really great that you still have that. Thanks for sharing.
 

Greenstar

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EJ12 or 17s if you must go medium. the 12s are 80/20.
I really like the 80/20 bronze now from D'A, their original alloy, and they break in well after a week or so.

I put the EJ17s on yesterday and this guitar just came alive. My buddy brought his 76 Martin D41 and his D18 over to compare and he was just blown away with the sound of the Guild. He actually took it home with him and he wants to buy it from me now. After hearing it like that I don't think it's for sale. Rivals my Gibson SJ200 for the big, full tone.

Amazing what the correct strings can do for a guitar. I started with Martin Marquis Lights and didn't like the tone, went up to EJ19 bluegrass med / light and it still wasn't there. The guy I bought it from had it set up for mediums, which I normally avoid, and the guitar just jumped to life when I put them on. Sounds amazing now and plays better as well.
 

Westerly Wood

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I put the EJ17s on yesterday and this guitar just came alive. My buddy brought his 76 Martin D41 and his D18 over to compare and he was just blown away with the sound of the Guild. He actually took it home with him and he wants to buy it from me now. After hearing it like that I don't think it's for sale. Rivals my Gibson SJ200 for the big, full tone.

Amazing what the correct strings can do for a guitar. I started with Martin Marquis Lights and didn't like the tone, went up to EJ19 bluegrass med / light and it still wasn't there. The guy I bought it from had it set up for mediums, which I normally avoid, and the guitar just jumped to life when I put them on. Sounds amazing now and plays better as well.

the D'A EJ17s are surprisingly playable for medium gauge strings. they sound great too. glad your F50R is blowing other guitars out of the water. i couldnt imagine a D-18 having a chance, and surprised about the D-41.

also there is a professional player on here, Glenn, who plays in all sorts of different tunings on Guild dreads and he swears by them so I figure if you gonna play mediums, might as well choose EJ17s. :)
 

Greenstar

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Yes, the D41 has a beautiful tone but the Guild was overpowering it big time. My buddy had his jaw on the floor.
 
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