NFT: Guitar String Question

bronze coated vs EXP coated strings?

That is a beautiful instrument....do you know what year it is ??

I guess it depends on how you play that Jumbo. Are you a finger-picker, or do you strum full throated chords ??

Bigger strings = bigger sound.

Mediums work fine.

I think you mean bronze alloy... they are 80/20 brass - bronze alloy. That's a pretty popular string for acoustic. Strings are VERY subjective though, for tone and feel. I like the Martin Phosphor bronze because they are a bit warmer than 80/20 (IMO).

EXP is a coating similar to what is used by Elixir. The coating can go on any type of metal / alloy string. It's to make the unwound strings last longer. I do like the Elixir's as well, and actually the coating makes the unwound strings a bit warmer (some people like this and some hate it lol).

For the strat, I always like Ernie Ball Super Slinkys (for most of my electrics)

I generally use .12 - .53 for acoustic and electric .11 - .48

I bought it in 2012 - it's a standard, but nonetheless a beautiful instrument with a big full sound.

I'm mostly re-learning, after a couple years' hiatus so lots of strumming right now.

Either way, less tension on the strings.

I prefer Elixr because of there lifespan, Martin lifespans that came on my Larrivee were the best sounding though imo.

for an intermediate player?

I don't agree that there is a right answer here. The strings you want largely depends on one thing: what kind of sound do you want? 80/20 bronze is going be brighter, phosphor will be darker.

As for gauge, 12-52 is standard, but it's preference if you want to go up or down, and how much low end you want.

In comment 12439926 DC Gmen Fan said:

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for an intermediate player?

It's not really going to make a difference.

Coated strings could be a little easier on your fingers.

source: I worked at Guitar Center for 2 years, in accessories actually. Had this convo millions of times, lol.

Feel free to let me know if you have any more questions.

Honestly, I don't really have a tone in mind - right now I'm getting to know my J-45, doing a lot of practicing on basic skills (bending, hammer ons, pull offs, some finger picking, etc). I guess if there was one "tone" I'm aiming for it'd be David Gilmours in Wish You Were Here (since I'm learning that right now).

The J-45 still has the original strings on it from when I bought it, but I need to sac up and put some new ones on there as these are a bit oxidized now and muddy.

A little more expensive but last longer

put mediums on a jumbo. I'd try Elixir Nanowebs phosphur bronze.
It's a big top and will take some power to drive it.

You might have to try two or three different brands, alloys, gauges before you decide what you prefer.

strings for close to 30 years before switching to Thomastik-Infeld. Absolutely love TIs for what I play.

They are expensive but they are great strings. So many options... so many choices. At the end of the day just try different string brands and sizes, and note what you like/don't like. I am more about the playability then the tone honestly, and I find that different guitars play better (for me - again totally subjective) with different sizes and metals. I (almost) always use a bigger string on shorter scale guitars, and smaller on longer scale... but even that is only a general rule. There are so many factors that go into the playability along with scale, nut/neck width, depth, shape, string spacing... and on and on and on... lol.

In comment 12439996 PA Giant Fan said:

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A little more expensive but last longer

+1 on the elixrs!! Have used nothing else since i started on with them

Really the tone only has an effect for me for like the first week with a new string. I kill them fast whether from the oils/acids on my fingers... and that is generally why I stick to Elixirs now. The initial tone of the Martin phosphor bronze is amazing to me... but is fleeting. The Elixirs have decent tone new but not on par overall with new Martin PB... but they have a more consistent tone for a longer period of time and is generally why I use them. I used to dislike the flaking, but with the release of the nanowebs that is much less of an issue.