Guitar Talk: Acoustic Guitar Strings

[swordfreak16]

I'm not trying to be a idiot, but D'addarios suck!  I placed them on my acoustic the first day I bought it. The never stayed tuned popped often and sound horrible. Now don get me wrong they sounded beautiful when i first put them on, but the NEVER stayed tuned. I've found that Ernie Balls sound best and stay tuned.

[eram64]

@swordfreak16 Yup, put em on brand new, tuned it, untuned it to put it away, next day tune it, E string snaps

[klgrif]

hey, umm what are the strings on an acoustic guitar im kinda new

[Jamalsish]

my electric guitar strings are really full of dust and shit and stains of the fretboard, really dirty, strings are ernie ball regular 11-42 gauge i think

[iloverumi]

cat stevens baby!

[nutmegger1957]

Not for nothing, but..........Did you know that D'Addario is the "string of choice" of most guitar manufacturers out there? (Obviously not Gibson & Fender of course).

I've visited their factories, and talked with the guys at the end of the production line, who have to install the strings and tune them and test them. D'Addario's everywhere!!

[christoth90]

thank you sooo soo much for introducing me to silk and steel, they are by far the BEST strings i have ever put on my guitar and i will continue to use them, once again thanks.

[teddyboysmith2]

hey friend, im using 10's on my acousitc and it sounds rubbish for strumming

will 12' or 13's give me a better strumming sound

[DoorMat444]

@teddyboysmith2 12's or 13's will give you a better sound period! I would never recommend below 12's or maybe 11's at the lowest.

[tannermiddleton]

i bought a set of martin silk and steel strings and it literally only took 2 weeks for them to feel so disgusting that i couldn't bear to play them anymore. i play every other day or so, and i always wipe my strings down before i put my guitar up. i think i must have had a bad set or something. Either way im back to my ever reliable elixer's!

[fenderbendable]

Hi, What song are you playing at the beginning of this video ? Sounds like Cat Stevens..

[arielcardona]

Between D'addarios and Elixirs, definitely D'addario will be my choice. Elixirs are a bit brighter, and they break easily, at least when I play them. D'addarios, on the other hand, sound fuller, bassier if you can say that, and they won't break like Elixirs do.

[killingj0ke23]

youre such a nice happy man, and all your guitar advice has changed enlightened me so much! thank you :)

[makemebad700]

thumbs up if you heard the voice change at 2:14

[jehovahuponyou]

"A BIG PART OF THE SOUND THAT COMES FROM YOUR GUITAR ARE THE STRINGS..."

REALLY, I'LL BE DAMNED!

rofl!

[tushamj]

@jehovahuponyou You are the definition of pedantic.

[jehovahuponyou]

@tushamj - When I find my dictionary, that better be a good word!

;^)

ROFL!

[Ellustrium]

so can old strings cause extra buzz on the fret board? haven't had the the strings changed in 3-4 years and they are hard to control and they buzz constantly. just wondering if its the strings or the fretboard thats making the buzz

[ScullyboyDX]

@Ellustrium yesssssss

[CokeMachineGlo]

i just changed my guitar strings. They always sound like tin when i first put them on.  after a day or 2 they sound fine.

[killerdeels]

I usually use martin 12 gauge, they're cheap and sweet

[ScReaM11000]

thnx dude ur cooL!

[Watertraveller]

A likeable, knowledgeable chap, thanks for all your helpful hints :-)

[Watertraveller]

A likeable, knowledgeable chap, thanks for all your helpful hints :-)

[SuperGuitarMark]

This might sound weird but me personally. I really like the tone and the feel of guitsr strings when they have been worn out a little cause it really brings out a warmer, rounder, woodier tone and not so much of a stringy tone that you commonly find when you use a brand new set of strings. So basically, i save a who lot of money on strings. (I buy like 1 pack every 2-3 months and i play alot everyday).

[Socioistic]

@SuperGuitarMark

(Old comment, I know, but) I agree, I treat my acoustic strings just like I do my bass strings. I love the way they can get very full, and the highs start to die down a bit when they get older. I've had the strings on my only acoustic for about a year; I'm only changing them now because I never liked the strings in the first place, but I liked them more after they died down- but I'm about to put the silk and steel he's talking about on my acoustic, when they get to me.

[guitarkiller72]

you should really try Elexir polyweb coated strings on your Epiphone Dr-100, its a great combination and sounds fantastic

[UnclePutin]

Ahhhh, Into White--love that song. You have a great channel with lots of practical information. Thanks for making these videos.

[flexwinggpipi]

Hi Mark

the tune you playing at the beginning,, " Cat stevens Into White", I love . Any chance of doing a lesson on that. really appreciate it if you get the time.Either way thankyou for all your help

[Blackout20000]

thanks dude

[frwyguy]

How do you like DR's? Have you tried them?

[Matthewteeetonkin]

whats the best strings for a really nice acoustic sound

[niceaznkid916]

You are right! I need new strings xD. No wonder I have problems holding them down.

[Lowdenjim]

Anyone else found that Martin strings sound as dull as dishwater?

[shacowboy]

You did it again Mark. Great Video wish I could have had seen this before 3yrs. of trying many strings I did not like.

[walbuzz]

Thank you Mark, for your advice, I will move from ultra light to light when I next buy my sets. I am very grateful for your comment Walbuzz.

[badfinger11123]

Thank's Mark!

[123EddieC]

Ditto............I change my strings about once a month.

[gnuonageoj]

Thanks for the video

[MrClimate1986]

thanks for the info

[deanb92]

You're right Mark! I need to change my strings right now. I was leaving mine on over a year and they sound awful.

[goldhat3]

Hi dean, yep, your guitar will sound great after the string change.

[trshev]

@deanb92 So I'm not the only one who has year old strings!!! LOL!!!

[walbuzz]

I respect your opinion and experience and I am a huge fan of your work, you talk it straight and sensible. Could you possibly advise me what gauge is best on my Epiphone Jumbo as I am using ultra lights and not enjoying the bottom B & E strings buzz! I know it's personal choice, but I would appreciate your comment. Many thanks Wal.

[goldhat3]

Hi wallbuzz, you can use heavier strings on a jumbo if you want to, I use light cage on mine, and some people even like mediums, which I do not use. Heavier gauges usually give you more base power, but you can also control that with your picking hand technique, so I stick with lights.

[FiremanOly]

Good to see you Mark. I finally got around to checking up on your posts again. Your a good man to share your knowledge with everyone. Blessings My Friend. I haven't forgot about Luka. Let me know if you ever get the time and are still thinking about it.

[goldhat3]

Hi Oly, yep still have it on my to-do list.

[johnthobden]

Thank you Mark, Some one who talks sense. When I first started I was told that I needed to practise 10 minutes a day and change my strings every 3 weeks. Have a nice day. John

[tonygrimsley]

I alternate between D'addario and Ernie Ball 10's on my electrics. Honestly , I can't really tell a difference between the two brands. I usually buy a box of 10 sets when I buy just to save some money in the long-term. For acoustic I usually go with Elixer or D'addario coated, just to keep down the level of finger squeaking.

[Trepeg]

I don't really like coated strings, they cost more and you just can't beat the sound of new strings that costs half the price. (able to switch more often on a budget)

This might sound weird, but I use d'addario 9's on everything. they are cheap, their packaging is easy on the environment and I just flat out like them. But, when I go in to buy new strings I NEVER mention my acoustic. I don't like the weird looks or the speeches that I get heh.

peace, Goldhat! 5* as always

[DunDamage]

@Trepeg.. doood i understand your point, but my dad (a very very good guitar player) used regular non coated strings at a recording session and they died within three hours, elixer coated strings last forever as long as they dont break, so it doesnt matter but coated strings are on my side for more mature guitar playing.

[Trepeg]

@DunDamage You dad must have been playing like hell for new, uncoated strings to die that fast lol

[DunDamage]

@Trepeg like i said my dad is a very very good guitar player.

[seadreamer12]

Great video Mark. What's your opinion on Elixir's? I use them and they seem to last a long time and continue to send quite good.

[goldhat3]

@seadreamer12 I have used Elixers, but I prefer D'addario, Martin, or Dean Markley for coated. I have some cleartone waiting to try out. It is really your choice for sound and feel.

[SEXY243]

@goldhat3 I tend to favor the Martin Medium strings. The last me a while.

[DamianSix66]

Thanks Mark just bought my first ever set after 2 years ! I proceeded to then snap the thick E string when fitting it . I got Earthwoods by Ernie Ball

[goldhat3]

Hi damiansix66, I have some earthwoods waiting to try out. Taylor guitars has a great string changing video on their website.

[CrazyRazorFilms]

Great video Mark!

Especially for your subscribers that are newer guitarists, and I'm sure there are alot, because you are a great inspiration.

Great job, I expect to see alot more.

Take it easy.