Recommend strings for my guilds

[jjracer]

Hi all

Am new to the forum. I have 3 Guilds, a JF 55 jumbo, D-40, and a D-25 cherry


I have tried d'addarios and Elixir's on the guitars in med. gauge on the 55 and lights on the others. The d'addarios sound rather well on the 40, so so on the others.

Just put a set of elixir lights on the 40 and I just don't seem to be getting the sound out of these great guitars.

They are not new, I have had them some 11 to 17 years.

Suggestions on what you are using on your Guilds. 8)

thanks so much.

 

[JerryR]

Welcome JJ Personally I use D'Addario lights - hate Elixirs. West will swear by John Pearce which I've never used.

 

[GardMan]

I tried elixers for a while, and while they suppressed string squeek, I thought they were pretty dead, tonally.

Now, I play John Pearse strings on all my Guilds (as do many other LTGers): JP 80/20 light gauge on my D-25, JP Phosphor bronze and silk light-mediums on my D-35 (similar to your D-40), and JP Phosphor bronze lights on my D-55 (rosewood dread, but the closest I have to your JF-55).

YMMV,
Dave

 

[cuthbert]

I'm experimenting Elixir phosphor bronze on my Cv2, previously I used Ernie Ball Earthwood, but I think the instrument is more suitable for phosphor bronze strings.

Elixir allows you to play faster and without squeeks, I noticed that they seem to have less volume and when they get old you won't notice by touch but by ear.

 

[Graham]

I second what Dave says.

John Pearse 80/20 lights 200L 12 - 53. Even my luthier babe says that they were made for each other.

Best price I have come across is from our very own leader here, Don.

PM him and check them out.

Oh, and welcome to LTG JJ

 

[West R Lee]

The last time I tried to get some from Don, he was out. I need to check again. Donald, are you listening? Do they still make John Pearse strings since he died recently?....seriously?

West

 

[Scratch]

Same problem with Elixers on my D40. I replaced 4-month old JP 80/20 lights and wish I hadn't. Live and learn, I guess... Must say that I've also had a very nice experience with DR Rare strings on one of the 12ers and Thomas Stiks on another... Of all I've tried, however; JPs offer the most reliable performance...

 

[dapmdave]

Welcome to LTG, jj.

Like others here, I tried Elixers (came on my Taylor) and they didn't do anything special for me.

My acoustic guitars have D'Addario Custom Lights. I think it's a good "all-around" choice, but it's all about personal taste.

Dave

 

[Dr. Spivey]

The last time I tried to get some from Don, he was out. I need to check again. Donald, are you listening? Do they still make John Pearse strings since he died recently?....seriously?

West

As far as I know it's business as usual since John died. The places I shop that carry JP products seem to have an abundant supply.

I've always played Martin strings, SP's recently. Always was pleased with Martins. Recently put a set of JP med. 80/20 on the D17, based on all the recommendations here. Wow! Love them. Got some light 80/20 and PB's to try on the D40, haven't put them on yet.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I like D'Addario men PB strings on all my Rosewood guitars.
I have tries a few sets of RD Rare strings and like them a lot.
I get a great price break on D'Addrios tho, so I will stay with them.
You may want to try the RD Rares for your guitars that use light gauge strings.
RD Rare strings are packaged as Mediums but they are light gauge in reality.
I have used JP strings before and while I like them, they don't last as long for me and with the use of guitar case humidifiers, the strings tarnish fast.

 

[West R Lee]

Thanks Doc, that's good to know. I guess if Don doesn't carry them, I'll order them. We had a store here that carried them but went out of business, and another that still does, but they carry them sporatically......they never have 200L's. I guess I could resort to Just Strings, but I'd rather buy them from Don and support the website.

West

 

[dreadnut]

D'Addario phosphor bronze mediums. The wound strings sound like a Steinway piano on my dreads.

 

[playsvintageguilds]

I have been using Cleartones Medium-Lite on my '73 and '81 D50's as well as my '76 D55.

They seem to behave well. :lol:

By the way,is our country closely comparable to the decline of the Roman Empire now? :shock:

 

[markus]

Welcome JJ Personally I use D'Addario lights - hate Elixirs. West will swear by John Pearce which I've never used.

Jerry, I hate to correct you (as Graham and Carl usually do :mrgreen: ), but it is John Pearse; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Pearse, not to be confused with "Psycho" Stuart Pearce http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Pearce …

@Scratch: Sorry, but Thomastik is the last name only … http://www.thomastik-infeld.com/company/start/start01.htm

Markus

 

[Pike]

I've been using Martin Acoustic SP Phosphor Bronze lights on both my rosewood and my mahogany dreads. A little spendy, but they sure work for me.

 

[jjracer]

Thank you for all of your imput. I will definately give some of the strings a try.

Question still puzzling me is guitar size. I was under the impression that the larger guitars, D and jumbo might need a heavier string to get the volume and tone out of the larger area top.

I am speaking striclly acoousicly (unplugged).

 

[Graham]

Thank you for all of your imput. I will definately give some of the strings a try.

Question still puzzling me is guitar size. I was under the impression that the larger guitars, D and jumbo might need a heavier string to get the volume and tone out of the larger area top.

I am speaking striclly acoousicly (unplugged).

Volume doesn't seem to be a problem with Guilds, unless it's too loud. I get plenty-O-volume with lights. :mrgreen:

 

[6L6]

I use D'Addario phosphor bronze Light gauge strings on all of my acoustics. Very happy with them!

6

'06 D-55
'06 D-40BJ
'06 F-412
'74 D-40
'98 Martin D-45V
'98 Collings D-1
'09 Martin D-35 Custom
'03 Taylor 214

 

[JerryR]

Welcome JJ Personally I use D'Addario lights - hate Elixirs. West will swear by John Pearce which I've never used.

Jerry, I hate to correct you (as Graham and Carl usually do :mrgreen: ), but it is John Pearse; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Pearse, not to be confused with "Psycho" Stuart Pearce http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Pearce …


Markus

Whatever...I can't spell anyway :mrgreen:

 

[Bobby McGee]

I have been using Cleartones Medium-Lite on my '73 and '81 D50's as well as my '76 D55.

I agree with the Cleartones - I use the Lights on my Rosewoods, going to try Bluegrass (Med Light) on the Maple. Haven't tried the 12s yet. I find the non-coated strings (John Peasrse) go dead within a couple a few gigs (many hours of playing) while the coated last more than twice as long. Maybe I shouldn't strum so hard.

Bobby.