[Robyn Hood]

I bought a Takamine G Series acoustic a while back, i think around March. The strings are wearing out now so can you guys help me out with some good types of acoustic strings to buy? I've heard about Elixer and D'Addario. But i jus need some advice. I dont really have a genre that i play, mostly just what i think sounds good to me. So any help would be appreciated.

[Graeme! Yes, Graeme!]

Takamine G Series are good guitars. Nice choice

Guitar strings are really down to personal preference. There are a lot of different brands out there, but really it's down to what you feel comfortable with and what you think sounds good on your guitar.

Personally, I like Elixir strings. They have a coating ont hem that means that they don't wear out as quickly as other strings, so they keep a new string tone for longer. The coating also helps to reduce the fret noise/squeaking when changing positions on the neck. I find they give quite a warm, mellow tone.

If you like the idea of coated strings, but don't want such a mellow tone, D'Addario have EXP strings. They also have a coating, but the coating goes around the winding of the string before it is wound, not around the entire string. This makes it much less noticeable to look at and feel. The coating doesn't last quite as long as on Elixir strings, but they do keep tone for longer than uncoated strings. The tone is also a bit brighter than Elixirs.

Then there are uncoated strings. These are just plain guitar strings with nothing fancy. I find that Martin & Co. ones are pretty good. They give brighter tone again, but they are likely to wear out faster. They are also cheaper than coated strings though.

As well as the type of strings, something to consider is the gauge of string. If you have a light gauge then it means that things like string bending and pressing down the strings are easier. However, thinner strings break more easily. Heavier gauged strings tend to have a fuller tone, however they aren't so easy to bend with.

My personal favorites are either Elixir Light or Light-Medium, otherwise known as 12s. I find that the tone stays brighter for longer, that the initial tone is good and works well with my guitar. I don't mind the extra cost, because I find the strings sound better.

At the end of the day, it's whatever you find works best for you and your guitar.

[improviduto]

You also have the option to use brass strings, rather than bronze; however, these are tough to come by. The advantage of brass stings is that they are brighter and cripser than bronze strings. The disadvantages are availability and string life because of corrosion -- regular use and they won't last more than 3 weeks.

I've played a lot of strings. Adamas are by far the worst strings I've ever played. The second worst are Dean Markley strings. They get brittle fast.

The best I've ever played -- and the brand I continue to use -- are DR Rare Bronze. They've got a lower tension, tighter wind, bigger sound, and they last longer than regular strings.

A close second to DR is the Martin Marquis 92/8 phosphor bronze.

[ouijaouija]

i have a simon patrick guitar and the string it came with made it sound crap, but i bought some extra light gauge and it plays a lot better and sounds nicer too

[Jim Lee]

I went to buy some new strings yesterday. Following your advices I looked for EXP or phosphor thing, but hey, the EXPs were like 35 $ CAN and the phosphor 25 $ CAN. What the hell !!? did I say to my friend. So I decided to stick with the usual bronze strings. I chose Martin & Co, but wasn't to sure about the gauge I needed, I'm kinda new to guitar playing, so I bought some "light", they call. After putting em on my guitar, which is a Takamine Serie G, I found they sound kinda crappy and were way too small for me! They are perfect for the usual guy (or gal) who don't want to put too much pressure on his fongers for them not to hurt after a long run of playing. I guess I'm not that kind of peep... So next time I'll buy some med gauge, they will probably better suite my style!

Thanks


PS: Sorry for my poor english writing, it's my second language...

[Graeme! Yes, Graeme!]

Don't worry about your English. I've seen natives who do worse

It took me a couple of years before I found a gauge and string type I was really happy with, so don't worry too much about not getting it right the first time. Experiment, see what you like.

[Mikky04]

I haven't got a clue what make my strings are.
except my high e string I know thats a gibson cos I broke the one b4 that

[Graeme! Yes, Graeme!]

How long have those strings been on your guitar, Mikky?

[Mikky04]

umm....I got my guitar around the middle of July so then.
Except the high e string cos I broke that a fortnigh ago and the replacement I got in the shop broke because I didn't know to slightly stretch the string and then I got a pack of Gibson Strings and my cousin put that one in and It grand now

[Graeme! Yes, Graeme!]

Most shops (if they're good) will put a new set of strings on for a guitar when they're in the shop, so the strings on your guitar shouldn't be too bad depending on how long it was in store.

[el_burton]

I put a brand new set of D'Addarios on my Tanglewood yesterday, and already all of the wound strings sound really, really dull. Like Graeme, I like Elixirs. The set I replaced yesterday had been on for about 2 and a half months and still sounded pretty bright, but the top two were painful to play.

But just keep trying out different brands 'til you find one you like. I'll definitely be sticking with Elixirs from now on.

[guitex]

D'Addario for sure. It is my first choice, always.

[guitarfan19]

D'Addario for sure. It is my first choice, always.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

same. haven't broke a string on my acoustic for a long time.

[fatboy1]

D'Addario rule

[billy16]

I use Musicians Friend 13's. I think they're 80/20 phosphor bronze. They last for a while. I usually don't change strings too often though, probably not as much as I should. But the strings sound fine and I only broke one high E because of a bad wrap that caused the string to snap as I detuned.