phosphor strings vs 80/20 bronze

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Author	Comment
cletusmcduff	phosphor strings vs 80/20 bronze	Lead	[-]
(05/15/08 7:42 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None What is the tonal difference between the 2 strings. I have always used 80/20 and I was curious about the difference. In YHO what is the best string out there for Martins? Cletus D. McDuff Lake of the Ozarks, MO Martin D28 Marquis (Hoss) Mid-Missouri M1 Mandolin (Lil' Joe) Dobro Hound Dog (Trigger) Cordoba Classical (Smokey) www.myspace.com/cletusmcduff
ASC67		#1	[-]
(05/15/08 8:25 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Just like Ice cream there is no " Best " guitar string. 80/20's = Vanilla and Phosphor Bronze = Chocolate. Get a set of each and decide for yourself which are better for your guitar. Steve
JayBee1404		#2	[-]
(05/15/08 8:35 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I'm with Steve - PB is 'warmer', 80/20 is 'brighter', but you need to find the string that floats your own personal boat. You might like to start with Newtone Masterclass PB 12-54 Custom-Lights, probably won't need to go any futher! John OM-28 Marquis (2007) Lowden O-25 (2002) Fylde Octave Mandolin (200?) Jim Dunlop 'Heavies' Thumbpicks Nails by Linzi at Amethyst Nails and Beauty, Gainsborough, UK.
omeagerman		#3	[-]
(05/15/08 11:40 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	With PBs, you hear less of the guitar and more of the strings. With 80/20s, you hear more of the guitar and less of the strings.
guitarpath		#4	[-]
(05/15/08 11:46 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I have played exclusively with pb for a few years. I just recently tried 80/20's on my Huss & Dalton and I have to say that I really like them. They sounded a little woodier to my ear than do the pb (which have somewhat of a metalic zing to them when new). Alan.
bkwallen		#5	[-]
(05/15/08 11:55 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	They both have their strong points. PB has a really strong sound. Don't know quite how to describe it, kind of a twangy, shimmery type thing. You definitely hear the strings more. For some guitars this doesn't work. I don't like them on my D40, but I just put a set on my Morgan Monroe M-20, and they work well for that. 80/20 gives you, IMO, a richer and clearer sound. If you want to hear the true tone of the guitar, put on a set of 80/20's. Which set is best for Martins? It's impossible to say. Depends on your preference, and also the guitar. Brianwallenmusic.com
kydave		#6	[-]
(05/15/08 12:21 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Cletus, What guitar have you mainly used 80/20s on? I'm mainly a rosewood guy who loves that lush sound of a full guitar chord behind me while I'm singing, yet want cutting power when I take a lead. For me, for several decades, that has meant phosphor bronze. When I'd try new strings (MANY over the 45 years I've been playing) and if they were 80/20, they just sounded too thin on my old D-28 for my tastes. Now that I have multiple Martins, I'm experimenting again, but so far the PB's tend to have what I want. But I'm trying out 80/20's, for instance on my lightly braced custom 00-28 and they sound very nice. I'm going to try some light/medium Martins in the 80/20 on a new hog dread as soon as I get around to ordering them. Report to follow. FYI, I have never understood the "hear the strings more than the guitar" or vice versa. It's a package deal. Strings don't make sounds in the package and the guitar doesn't make sounds unstrung (other than as an expensive percussion device). The others above are absolutely correct, though - string choice is a personal taste thing. We can all make recommendations on what WE like on A PARTICULAR guitar, but that's just our taste. Dave 2006 Custom 00-28H / 1999 0000-28H / 1999 SP000-16R / 1971 D-28 / 1959 0-18
DarrellTriple0		#7	[-]
(05/15/08 12:33 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I'm surprised to finally hear the "woodier" and "more guitar" descriptions for 80/20's. That's usually missed in these type discussions. I whole-heartedly agree! 80/20's can certainly show off your guitar's true tonal characteristics. Nine times out of ten, that's what I want to hear! Darrell 000-28GE
kydave		#8	[-]
(05/15/08 1:08 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	80/20's can certainly show off your guitar's true tonal characteristics. Darrell, I'm truly curious about why you (or others) feel that a certain string shows off true tonal characteristics. I mean, there are no tonal characteristics in the absence of strings, so how are 80/20s, PB, brass, bronze, nickle, stainless, etc. deemed to be the string illustrating this "true-ness"? What or who defines (and how) what is the "true" sound of a guitar? I'd really like to understand the thought process behind this. I'm not trying to single you out and this is an open question. A lot of folks make generally the same statement and I always wonder, since the sound of a guitar is inseparable from it having strings on it - how is one string better than another soundwise, aside from personal taste. Curiously yours, Dave P.S. To original poster - If this is too far afield please tell me & I'll start another thread. Thanks 2006 Custom 00-28H / 1999 0000-28H / 1999 SP000-16R / 1971 D-28 / 1959 0-18
SixxStringer		#9	[-]
(05/15/08 1:15 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Ok, I'll be the first to admit it--like Coke and Pepsi, I can't tell the difference! Richard Hiscox Flight Cases--U.S. Dealer
Fred aka George		#10	[-]
(05/15/08 1:33 PM) Local user Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Phosphor bronze strings have somewhat higher string tension than 80/20 strings of the same gauge. In my experience, phosphor bronze strings have longer sustain than 80/20s. 80/20 strings do tend to exhibit a woody/thumpy tone quality as they get older. Last Edited By: Fred aka George 05/15/08 1:35 PM. Edited 1 times.
robwil54		#11	[-]
(05/15/08 1:36 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	When I put PB's on my D18, it's hard to explain but you definitely hear the jingle of the string. With 80/20's, the dry woody sound comes through, a sound that to my ears is bound more closely to the wood in the guitar. However, I do not notice the woody sound coming out of my D28 (a '69) with the 80/20's. Just a little more subdued than with PB's. For me, it seems that hog & 80/20's are a great combo for a quiet setting. Maybe it's the wood? I also have a '77 D18 that behaves the same as my '68. The sound is very close. And Dave, I also much prefer the PB's on my 28. They do cut more, even on my 18's, and usually when I'm playing out I use them. Bob
desaljs		#12	[-]
(05/15/08 1:50 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Good comments in this thread. I was playing PB's for quite a while. Have gone back to 80/20's and very much like what I hear. I can hear more of the wood with the 80/20's! Never thought of it this way before. Jim D
TaylorMartinGuild		#13	[-]
(05/15/08 2:29 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I stated in another thread that in my opinion, 80/20 strings generally sound better on a Mahogany guitar and PB strings generally sound better strung up on Rosewood. I still hold to this as a general thought, but I do like PB on some jumbo Mahogany guitars. I have also noticed that PB strings last longer than 80/20 strings before going dead. PB strings do break easier though and I think that it is because they are wound under more tention. The reason that there are different strings out there is because we all have a different sound that we are looking for. As others have said, try both and try different guages. You will know which strings sound best to you.
cb00ne		#14	[-]
(05/15/08 3:03 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I'm with desaljs... I've always used PBs, but tried 80/20s on my 000-18GE, and was blown away by the pure, clean, woody sound. Next string change on my 15s I'll give them a try. - Chris 2006 000-18GE \| 2001 D-15S \| 2001 000-15S \| 2006 5-15 Terz \| 2006 Felix II \| 1979 Silver Anniv. Strat \| Big Mo M-2 Mandolin
JBGash		#15	[-]
(05/15/08 3:25 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I use em both SP+ medium guage. Like to trade off once in a while. Has to pick I would take the 80/20's cuz I play dred. Martin SP+ strings are the best imho. I love em. http://www.withoutwheels.org/Profiles/jburns/index.html www.broadjam.com/JimBurns
Buck49		#16	[-]
(05/15/08 3:35 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Phosphor bronze strings have somewhat higher string tension than 80/20 strings of the same gauge. That may be true for a particular manufacturer, or it may be true for all manufacturers, I haven't checked. But I do know that the windings do not carry any tension and therefore do not increase or decrease the tension. Is there something about PB or 80/20 that mandates that a bigger or smaller core must be used...and therefore affects tension? Tom Travel has no longer any charm for me. I have seen all the foreign countries I want to except heaven & hell & I have only a vague curiosity about one of those. - Mark Twain
powerandwisdom		#17	[-]
(05/15/08 3:58 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	It seems that every guitar "likes" different strings. How great it would be to find one that fit them all! Generally, I prefer the tone of 80/20s over PB. I also hear a metallic sound (zing) with PBs (usually) that I don't hear with 80/20s, and I find 80/20s to produce a warmer tone overall. PBs also feel more tense under my fingers. Opinions certainly vary greatly when it comes to strings... Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire. -William Butler Yeats
vallguy		#18	[-]
(05/15/08 5:37 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Wow, amazing the discrepancy, and in fact, the contradictions in the description of the differences. IMHO based on my exoperience, the 80/20s sart off bright and metallic (like a Taylor) and quickly go dead. PBs start bright for a VERY short time, then produce a mellower sound for a longer time. On mahogany I generally prefer 80/20, and pb on rosewood, though I ususally just buy Daddario pbs and use them on all my guitars. That said I definitley am not a fan of a bright guitar sound.
DarrellTriple0		#19	[-]
(05/15/08 5:54 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Well Dave....it's a bit hard to describe. First off, I like both types of strings (PB's, 80/20's). I switch back and forth, between the two, quite regularly........though I do tend to favor the 80/20's a bit more. So, I'm not saying anything against the PB's. The guitar is a wooden instrument. I seem to hear more of that woodiness, with 80/20's. Don't know how to quantify that.....it's just a thing you either hear, or you don't. That, to me, is a truer guitar tone.....woody, from wood. I suppose it's the "truer" you have trouble with? How about, "more simple" or "drier"? Maybe that works for you, better? A merlot, as opposed to a cabernet. The older the 80/20's get, the more prominent this characteristic seems to get. I tend to think of the differences as 80/20's more old timey.......PB's more modern. Just my personal unscientific mental frame of reference. Darrell 000-28GE
Daniel Dorogusker		#20	[-]
(05/15/08 6:08 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I like 80/20s on Rosewood. I feel as though I am hearing the wood of the guitar. The strings are just there to bring out the sound of the guitar. With PBs I feel that I am hearing strings first and the wood of the guitar second. I don't like PBs on Rosewood but find them to be okay on Mahogany. No science here, just what my weird old ears tell me. DD
Guitaropsimath		#21	[-]
(05/15/08 8:10 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Like everyone else, I'm unique. My HD28 is heavy and rich, so I use 80/20 mediums. My D-18GE had D'Addario PBs on it when I bought it, and I like how it sounds, so I'll stick with them for at least one change. My 000-18 is very dry and woody sounding, needed brightening, so I use 80/20s on it. Gibson L-00 I wanted to enhance its fat sound, so I use PBs on it. My 2-17 also gets PBs to bring out its natural deep tone. Seagull needed some depth, so it's PBs for it. That's just my perception, my ears, my hands. The tones vary with picks, too, but that's another thread. Doug
ianderson		#22	[-]
(05/15/08 10:19 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	DarrellTriple0 wrote: Well Dave....it's a bit hard to describe. First off, I like both types of strings (PB's, 80/20's). I switch back and forth, between the two, quite regularly........though I do tend to favor the 80/20's a bit more. So, I'm not saying anything against the PB's. The guitar is a wooden instrument. I seem to hear more of that woodiness, with 80/20's. Don't know how to quantify that.....it's just a thing you either hear, or you don't. That, to me, is a truer guitar tone.....woody, from wood. I suppose it's the "truer" you have trouble with? How about, "more simple" or "drier"? Maybe that works for you, better? A merlot, as opposed to a cabernet. The older the 80/20's get, the more prominent this characteristic seems to get. I tend to think of the differences as 80/20's more old timey.......PB's more modern. Just my personal unscientific mental frame of reference. I'd like to echo this assesment. It depends on what the tonal characterisic is of the guitar you're putting them on. If your guitar has got the right balance I'd stick with PB's. If the guitar is a little too warm - dull, use 80/20's and keep your strings fresh. Good luck with it.
cletusmcduff		#23	[-]
(05/16/08 9:10 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Great reponses and a lot of food for thought! Thanks! I have always used 80/20 on my old Taylor and now on my Marquis. I am in a Duo act with another picker who owns a D41. We do pick alot and bend quite a bit. We both play medium gauge strings. Now something new to me is 'dialing' in the Martins through a PA. We both use the K&K systems. If I am not careful we can get some serious mid/low overtones when we are both gettin' it on rhythm. What cannons they are! I have always been on a search for that perfect tone in my head and the Marquis has answered that quest. However, I was thinkin of tryin the PB, but here is why I am hesitating; Thougher to 'bend' 'squeekier' Too 'sparkly' Please correct me if I am wrong on this assumption. Cletus D. McDuff Lake of the Ozarks, MO Martin D28 Marquis (Hoss) Mid-Missouri M1 Mandolin (Lil' Joe) Dobro Hound Dog (Trigger) Cordoba Classical (Smokey) www.myspace.com/cletusmcduff
kydave		#24	[-]
(05/16/08 9:36 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	"Thougher to 'bend' " Naw "'squeekier' " That's not anything I've encountered "Too 'sparkly' " That's something I associate with 80/20. PB go on bright (the one I've used for years are not too bad at this, though), but mellow out quickly THEN last at a very good consistant tone level for a long time on my guitars with my relatively hard playing. This is my experience with Ernie Ball Power Slinky Acoustic Phosphor Bronze on an old D-28, using these strings over a period of at least 2 decades. Recently, I've experienced similar results with Martin SP4200 medium PB. 2006 Custom 00-28H / 1999 0000-28H / 1999 SP000-16R / 1971 D-28 / 1959 0-18
hogwldfltr		#25	[-]
(05/16/08 9:44 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	If your guitar has got the right balance I'd stick with PB's. If the guitar is a little too warm - dull, use 80/20's and keep your strings fresh. Good luck with it. OK, I admit it, I never ever did a comparison between string alloys. Now I've got an '82 D-41 which is a bit dull sounding with its straight bracing and my 000-82EC is ready for a string change. I guess I've always figured that it was the playing and not the strings that would effect peoples hearing. In retrospect the guitar sounding its best can draw me to want to play it more. -Lee *********** I've been known to play with the following: D-18 : D-18V : Backpacker : 000-28EC : D-41 : Breedlove OM-M : Gibson C-0 Classic : Martin D12-1 : and a '98 Harley-Davidson FLTR Road Glide *********** Hand me my old guitar, pass the whisky round. Won't you tell everybody you meet that the Candyman's in town. -Hunter/Garcia