best strings for a small acoustic?

[hamerican gigolo]

I own a 1995 Taylor 512. Rarely play it, but yesterday decided to digg it out for a go. Strung it up with EB Earthwound 80/20 Lights. Sounds well enough, but according to the forums, they are the "wrong " type. Lol Supposed to be phosphor bronze.  What type would you use in regards to brand, gauge, string material, etc.??? 

 

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

 

P.S. don't really like coated strings. 

[Jeff R]

My default acoustic strings are D'Addario Phosphor Bronze Custom Lights, 11-52. Good rich and balanced tone, very nice playability, easy transition from your electrics. EXP version if you wanted coated lifespan but don't like the feel or sound of coated strings. Most folks, myself included, wouldn't know the EXP coating is on them in a blind test. As far as phosphor bronze versus 80/20, here's what D'Addario says:

Phosphor Bronze – D’Addario pioneered Phosphor Bronze acoustic guitar strings in 1974. They are legendary for their full, rich, acoustic tone. Phosphor bronze provides a warm, and bright tone. 80/20 Bronze – D’Addario 80/20 Bronze (also referred to as brass) acoustic guitar strings provide a brighter tone. 80/20 Bronze strings have great acoustic clarity coupled with extra-bright, loud tone.

Considering most Taylors are voiced on the bright side of the spectrum, I'd definitely use a phosphor bronze alloy of whatever you select.

[crunchee]

I use the same as above-D'Addario Phosphor Bronze Custom Lights, 11-52-on my Ovation acoustics.  IMO they sound great, play well and stay in tune, plus they won't break the bank (I buy them in a 10-pack, which lasts me for a few years). 

[JohnnyB]

56 minutes ago, Jeff R said:

My default acoustic strings are D'Addario Phosphor Bronze Custom Lights, 11-52. Good rich and balanced tone, very nice playability, easy transition from your electrics. EXP version if you wanted coated lifespan but don't like the feel or sound of coated strings. Most folks, myself included, wouldn't know the EXP coating is on them in a blind test.

That's very close to what Taylor strings their 512s with: Elixir Phosphor Bronze HD Light.

As far as phosphor bronze versus 80/20, here's what D'Addario says:

Phosphor Bronze – D’Addario pioneered Phosphor Bronze acoustic guitar strings in 1974. They are legendary for their full, rich, acoustic tone. Phosphor bronze provides a warm, and bright tone. 80/20 Bronze – D’Addario 80/20 Bronze (also referred to as brass) acoustic guitar strings provide a brighter tone. 80/20 Bronze strings have great acoustic clarity coupled with extra-bright, loud tone.

When I read that the "20" in 80/20 "bronze" is zinc, my reaction was, "that's not bronze; that's brass." I knew a little about copper alloys from learning about cymbal formulas. Bronze is traditionally copper and tin; brass is copper and zinc, though there are some crossovers and more complex mixes out there. Still, zinc would definitely add stiffness to the feel and brightness to the tone.

Considering most Taylors are voiced on the bright side of the spectrum, I'd definitely use a phosphor bronze alloy of whatever you select.

There's another acoustic string that i consider outstanding, as well as people I know who use them--John Pearse. The link goes to the string weight you'd probably need. Check out the user comments, five stars for all of them. They echo exactly what I thought they did for an acoustic guitar as well as comments from other guitarists who installed them--customers for life. For as good as they are, they're very reasonable.

 

[Teh]

In 1995, Taylor was using D'addario PBs on their guitars, so using them now would set it up as when it left the shop.

If I remember correctly, the '95 512 has an Engelmann top over Mahogany, so you're getting a bit softer top end with a nice midrange push.  I have an '03 912 custom shop that's Engelmann over Cocobolo (same body dimensions and bracing specs - They added 1/4" to the body depth in '04).  While EJ16s work fine, I've found that I get a bit more oomph by going with a hybrid/bluegrass set.  The ones I use are the GHS Juber Signature Bronze in "True Medium" gauge (13-17-24-32-42-56) -- A bit heavier on the top E, B and low E strings than regular lights.

ETA - The Elixir HD Lights are essentially the same as the True Medium gauge, but I hate the way they sound and feel...

[hamerican gigolo]

Teh,

I believe you are correct about the specs. I kinda digg the way the EB EW's feel.

I might just try their version of PB,same gauge,maybe a little higher,maybe not.

Thanks for all the replies.