Vintage M-20 string size

Kitarkus

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I likely spend more time with my 1968 M-20 than with all the rest combined....and I'm about ready to give her some fresh strings. Just curious...among those that own old M-20's (or old F-20's)....what size strings to you use? 10's? 11's? 12's??? If you use smaller gauge...do you do it out of concern for your guitar's structural health?....or simply personal preference? I s'pose it is worth noting that my M-20 is short scale.

Kit
 
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When I still had my '65, I just used the same phosphor bronze lights I put on most of my flat-tops--GHS or D'Addario usually. Or, sometimes, GHS Silk & Bronze, though the M-20 didn't need to be babied--just that those strings sound good on a wide range of guitars.
 

swiveltung

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Mine's an F20. I use 11-50 or 11-52. Lately been using 11-52 Dunlop's.... inexpensive and are fine.
 

mavuser

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11s all day every day. Martin Retro (11-52) and/or John Pearse (11-50), both F-20 and/or M-20, long scale and/or short scale. have fun!
 

Kitarkus

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martin retro eh?...I'll check it out. I've got a new Martin that shipped with "SP Acoustic 92/8 PB Light (MSP4100)"...and don't mind them at all. I'll take a look at the 'retro'. Thx Mav
 

mavuser

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they are very different from PBs or anything else, they are monel strings. the feel of them takes some getting used to for sure. really good mahogany top tone, really, really good. and they last forever. The John Pearse 11s have similar tone but dont last as long, however the feel and playability of the JPs (11s) is my number 1 for acoustic, no question. I use the JPs exclusively on my short scale 1970 F-20, that will never change. I have several mahogany top M-20s and mahogany top D-25s, and I run the Martin retros on those. Ive had the JPs on a D-25 and it sounded the same as the Martin retro strings. The Martin retros sound really killer on my short scale M-20s (1960s)
 

Quantum Strummer

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I've got a set of the Martin monels set aside for the Martin 0-15 I had restored in 2016. It's a very rich sounding guitar with PBs but could use a little more treble clarity for jamming & recording.

-Dave-
 
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