What strings for a NH F-30 ?

[Bernie]

I own a New Hartford F-30 : I had it with unknown stings' brand (guitar bought new but strings had been changed), then set up with Lifespan PB Custom Light Martin strings...I liked the guitar with these strings, but I then had to change them and tried the new Martin Authentic strings (Bronze Custom Light). This combination doesn't work fine I found, and I don't like it enough to keep using them; it might be linked to red spruce bracing (that makes the sound brighter or more treebly it seems), but I find the tone tiny and too 'thin". What strings do you use on your F-30 ? I've seen that D'Addario strings are usually set on Guild guitars...EJ16 or EJ17 I think, right?
Looking for a darker and deeper tone...

 

[jedzep]

I stay off PB's with all my guitars for that reason. 80/20's do the trick for me. I'm happy with SIT and Dunlop's versions, using 13's tuned down a step to D. If it has set up issues, like very low saddle and break angle, it could need something other than string a change.

Also, as you probably know, new strings need to be played until they soften to their peak balance.

 

[fronobulax]

Spec for a 2013 F-30 Traditional says D'Addario® EXP 16 Coated Phosphor Bronze (.012-.053 Gauges).

 

[Stuball48]

Cannot speak for F30 but I use EJ16s on my Guilds - G45, DV52, and D55. I really like them

 

[walrus]

I'm using Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze (11 - 52) on my '11 NH F-30RCE. But they are bright, which I like - probably not what you are looking for...

walrus

 

[mischultz]

Nickel strings can be just the trick for mating with mahogany. In order of ascending brightness you might try the Martin Monels, D’addario Nickel Bronze, and John Pearse Pure Nickel.

Alternatively, sometimes round wound strings can be a smoother expression of the bronze thing: DR Sunbeams are an excellent starting point there. But be certain to tune to pitch before trimming.

 

[mischultz]

Follow up/should have mentioned: my current favorite string is the Throbak (same folks that make the killer pickups) round wound phosphor bronze. Hifi old sounding.

 

[HeyMikey]

I’ve been happy with d’addario PBs and 80/20s. Usually one or the other will work. The individual guitar will tell you which it prefers. I also have guitars tuned to E, D and open G (actually F#) so the lower tuned may get medium or hybrid bluegrass thickness.

 

[Bernie]

Spec for a 2013 F-30 Traditional says D'Addario® EXP 16 Coated Phosphor Bronze (.012-.053 Gauges).

Thanks Frono, mine is an F-39 Standard but you're right, I got confused; I was thinking of EXP 16 & 17 when it comes to strings Guild guitars are usually sold with...They are the ones I might go for if I don't get on with the new coated Martin PBs, or if I decide to forget that make for that guitar...Still don't know what the number for Custom light is (but don't worry I'll find out)...

Nickel strings can be just the trick for mating with mahogany. In order of ascending brightness you might try the Martin Monels, D’addario Nickel Bronze, and John Pearse Pure Nickel.

Alternatively, sometimes round wound strings can be a smoother expression of the bronze thing: DR Sunbeams are an excellent starting point there. But be certain to tune to pitch before trimming.

Thanks mischultz, this is interesting : I had been thinking about Monels too as being strings that I should try. Thanks for your imput, I will seriously consider your advices and experience...

I’ve been happy with d’addario PBs and 80/20s. Usually one or the other will work. The individual guitar will tell you which it prefers. I also have guitars tuned to E, D and open G (actually F#) so the lower tuned may get medium or hybrid bluegrass thickness.

I like that, 'the individual guitar will tell you which it prefers'...
I might try their 80/20s as I liked the Marin 80/20's tone on an other guitar at the time (the new ones do not break as the ordinary would though, and are much easier to bend it seems)...

Thanks too Stuball, I've got things to think of now and things to try...

Jedsep, at least strings I have right now on the F-30 last for much longer than the old 80/20 Martin had before. I've had them for long and they are still in good shape...They did improve after a day or two but not so much as to suit me every time I play them. No problem with a low saddle or break angle either. Just the tone that doesn't fit that guitar I find (and maybe a little something in the way they feel under the fingers I find a bit strange).

Thanks for the alternatives you mention ; I use Dunlop picks most of the time and I like several products they make - Cry-Baby, used their standard capo -, so I might have a go on their strings...

 

[dougdnh]

If you want a fatter more powerful sound, you might want to try DR Rares. I've used DRs on all my guitars for years, very happy with them.

 

[Westerly Wood]

My F30R has EXP16 on it now. D’ADARRIO. I like them for it.

 

[GuildInAtlanta]

I've used many strings on my NH F-30R, and so far the roster includes the following.

- D'adarrio's: EXP16 & Nickel Bronze
- Ernie Ball: Earthworks & Aluminum Bronze
- Martin's: Monel's, Lawrence Jubber's, Tommy Emmanual's, Cleartone versions, and finally the Titanium's
- Elixir: Light's in Phosphor Bronze and 80/20, and the HD Light versions in both as well
- John Pearse: Silk & Bronze

I'm really happy with my F-30R, and at the end of the day the core sound of my guitar always came through no matter what I tried, although there were some differences as expected.

For the loudest, thickest, and surprisingly deepest sound with the most overtones the Elixir HD Lights in Phosphor Bronze worked the best for me. They seemed louder, and a little crisper during the first two weeks, but the extra tension really accentuated the bass. They settled in and retained a good full sound much longer than anything else non-coated or coated. However, since they have more tension, they were a little less comfortable to play compared to the tension on regular light strings, so I would simply suggest a great low set-up to make these work best. I have these on my guitar now, and I have a very light touch and my action is below spec.

The easiest to play were the Martin Titaniums and they seemed to create more of a fundamental tone. I guess most nickel strings might do this, but the Martins did it without being to jangly or bright. They are crazy expensive so I've only run one set, but I would use them again simply because how good they felt, I liked the tone, and they lasted a long time.

Today my experimental string binge is over and I've found options I'm happy with, so I just put on a set and play them until I think they're dead. Going forward I'll buy D-addario EXP's, Elixir HD Lights, and Martin Titaniums, but swap them around from time-to-time for a little change of pace.