whats your thoughts on strings for a dreadnought guild d25

[JamesCarvalho]

i'm a entry level guitar player and i'm hoping to do some test recordings..

i really love the warm sound of martin guitars and i have used the medium martin strings alot..
but i wonder if i can get more of a taylor sound with some lights..

i never tried guild strings but i'm thinking about trying some..

maybe there's some tricks you guitar players know with different strings..
just wondering if you wanna share some thoughts

[jdhogg]

I have a d50, I have used various strings and they will push the tone to where you would expect BUT my guitar definitely sounds best with Guild strings.

[JamesCarvalho]

thanks JDHOGG
i feel i must try the guild strings..

[jdhogg]

Generally speaking, a sparse mix wants a full acoustic sound while a busy mix needs the mids/highs.

With the Guild strings you get a full warm Guild sound suitable for acoustic based tracks.

When the strings are on learn how to play 'scarboro fair' with a capo.

[marcblack30]

I have a Taylor and have always used the medium Elixir strings, they sound spectacular and sound great for a long time. I would recommend trying them out sometime, maybe after the Guild strings.

[lesmac]

I run elixir nanos on my gibson dreadnought. Sometimes I think they sound too 'zingy' but usually when I listen back they sound fine and they last for ages.

If you get hung up on string squeak try the polys.

I run D'Addario Flat Tops on the martin to keep the squeaks down but its a darker tone. The packet says warm semi bright. They are a long way away from your taylor sound though.

I liked the sound of martin strings but way too much squeak for me. I know your thread's not about squeaks but for me its my first priority for string selection, others may differ

[lesmac]

I know your thread's not about squeaks but for me its my first priority for string selection, others may differ

Edit; especially fingerpicked, maybe not so much strumming

[JamesCarvalho]

i'm glad to have any comment about strings....lesmac

i have used and enjoyed Elixir, Martin, D'Addario, medium strings but not Elixir nano.. hmm
i prob used medium martins the most ...

my guitar is getting old and worn .. i'm wondering also if i try lights if that will help with the worn frets for recording .. until i get a replacement.

thx guys

[funsongs]

Man... choosing guitar strings can be about as touchy & personal as picking out underwear.
(no G-string puns, please)...
all seriousness aside, I've always liked the sound, feel, and longevity of the Martin Bronze lights.
I used mediums when I had a '96 vintage Taylor 810; which I later replaced with a 2012 Martin D-1GT.
As much as that Taylor was big and boomy-nice, the combination of the Martin and an old
70s-vintage Lyle (off-shore knock-off of a Gibson Hummingbird) makes for a nice recording combination... and, to my ears, sounds better for Country/Bluegrass/Americana.

The good news/bad news about Taylors is their consistency. They pretty much have a signature sound... which can work for you, or against you... depending on what you wanna hear.
It's always about your ears, first.

TMI: but I also hope/plan to add a Parlor-size to my sound: either the Epiphone EL-00 Pro or the Takamine (probably the latter)... for some more dynamics.

Another thing about strings - sound & life - is how your body chemistry is... your hands... oily, sweaty?
I let a friend play a newly-strung guitar one time... the next day they were rusted!!
oy!!

Good luck with you search & experiment. Go with what feels and sounds good to you.

[cassmcentee]

Jimmy, these are "medium Elixer nano" on my Taylor 410ce:
https://soundcloud.com/robert-cass-mcentee/cass-in-a

The first time I used them was on my Takamine 12 string (Elixer lights) while touring.
I was sold from the beginning, went from changing my strings weekly (Guild Phosphor Bronze)
To... only when I broke one!
Now they are on all of my acoustics and mandolins
Haven't looked back!