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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:28 pm 
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The OM I just finished sounds pretty nice but the strings I've tried all sound too bright to me. I've tried John Pearse Phospher Bronze and 80/20 Phospher Bronze in lights. I've also tried a set of Martin SP Bronze in mediums which sounded the best so far but still pretty bright. Any recommendations on strings that might not sound so bright?

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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:49 pm 
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Phosphor Bronze is usually rich so you may have to wait for your guitar to settle in and get warmer.

Mike

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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:49 pm 
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Red Strings are the warmest strings I've heard. I've used D'addarios for years and will continue to. If you want to kill some treble (or add bass, depending on how you look at it) try the Reds.

Dean Markley Alchemy Gold Phos strings are pretty warm too.
To my ears D'addario PB's are in the middle tonewise of any string I've tried. That's why I use them. As always YMMV, and other ears may vary too :D

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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:03 pm 
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The D'Addarios are not overly bright, but sound great, and last much, much longer than conventional strings. I will not use anything else. Worth the extra cost, for sure.

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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:32 pm 
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Elixir 13's in phosphor bronze I've never used them but fitted them on a mates, I helped him chose this guitar as a first and the shop chucked a set of elixir 12's in and they added bass to the guitar, he practices loads and a year on the sound the same, makes me consider them, and they've lasted 4 times as long as my D'Addatio ej18's and are less than half the price

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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:19 pm 
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Thanks folks, I realize what sounds good is soooo subjective and I appreciate the input. I'll try some D'Addario PB and the Dean Markley Gold Phos since I can get them easily. If the guitar still sounds too bright after it settles in I might order some Reds - never seen them before but they look interesting; I can see where the additional copper might warm them up compared to a regular bronze.

IIRC the Elixer's I've used in the past sounded real good for a very short time but maintain a decent sound for a long time. I like fresh strings and usually change them every few weeks which is about 20 - 25 hrs of playing.

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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:26 pm 
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I really like DR's (the handmade string) They wind them while under tension so you get more wraps at a lesser gauge. At least that's my understanding. I find them to be a good warm sound. I've only played them on a Cedar top j45 I built so that may also have something to do with it. The cedar already makes for a warm guitar so sometimes I like a little brighter string. My 2 cents


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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:35 pm 
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Mitch, I'll add some DR's to the list as well. It's been a few years since I tried out different brands of strings so I'm due.

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PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:59 pm 
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Steve, Check these out.
[url]//www.curtmangan.com/[/url]

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PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 2:53 am 
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You need plain bronze strings. They have a much warmer sound then phosphorus bronze strings.


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PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 4:27 am 
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Warmer like more quiet,,,,or damping...or smoothe/sweet....or twisty/pushing...or just puffy/squishy? Elixer's really have a nice solid tone. Bends nice and is really responsive. I have small fingers so smaller strings help in playing. Tonelly I don't think it matters that much. I use med/lt martins on most my acoustics. And med/heavy on electrics.

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PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 9:53 am 
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I knew there would be a lot of different opinions but I appreciate the recommendations (useful even if for the ones that were NOT recommended).

Thanks.

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PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:30 am 
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Try the D'Addario Flat Tops. These strings are great and will really smooth out something that is too bright and thin sounding.

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PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 11:41 am 
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Did you try the Pearse bronze-silks? They're a bit less bright.


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