My Overall Rating:

Dean Markley Blue Steel Strings is currently on sale on Amazon US / Amazon UK.

I had never try Dean Markley strings before and out of curiosity, I decided to give it a shot on these Cryogenic processed Blue Steel strings. Seriously, I didn’t put too much of expectation but to my surprise, these strings turned out to be pretty good!

At my first impression, DM Blue Steel Acoustic Strings produced bright and mellow sound. They are easy to install and the action is gentle on my fingertips. This is very useful if you are a guitar beginner with no callouses on your fingers. They are light and sound very nice with fingerpicking style. And these strings also hold a tune very well and stay in tune after playing. They did last quite a while if compare to my other D’Addario or GHS strings.

To me, Dean Markley Blue Steel produces rich and big sound at moderate levels. These strings are quite touch-sensitive and expressive. They are worth for a try if you looking for alternatives to your current acoustic strings. Read more user reviews.
 

Brand	Dean Markley
Model	Blue Steel Acoustic
Type	Acoustic Strings
Coated / Non-coated	Non-coated
Gauge	2034
Consumer Rating
Price Range	Discount price on Amazon US / Amazon UK

Other user’s comment:

Maverick B.

I bought these because I wanted some heavier strings on my guitar and I read that they ring out differently. Whoa, I was supprised on how clear and metalic these strings rang as I started tuning my “travel” guitar. It almost made it sound like a full sized guitar. Totally recommend these type strings for anyone looking to liven up their guitar sound. [Read full review..]

B. Astrup

I have always liked these strings, every time I try something else I wish I had gotten these. Sound is a subjective matter, I just happen to like the sound of these and their action. [Read full review]

A clip from YouTube on Dean Markley Blue Steel Strings.

Tweet

My Overall Rating:

Ernie Ball Earthwood is currently on sale on Amazon US / Amazon UK

We all know Ernie Ball makes top notch electric guitar strings. But what about acoustic strings? To my surprise, I find they sound pretty good too. I tested Ernie Ball Earthwood 2003 on my Gibson and I’m actually quite like them. These Ernie Ball strings sound clean, resonant and lasting.

Other than clean tone, another thing makes Ernie Ball Earthwood Strings attractive is the price. They are cheap, but give you good and crisp tone. Unlike those “high-end” strings which cost you twice or even 3 times of the price (but you couldn’t tell that they sounded or lasted any better), the price of Ernie Ball strings are very reasonable. And I found they sound great for fingerstyle playing.

These strings are sturdy and easy to play. They tune up very quickly upon install and stay in tune. I would recommend you to try them up because Ernie Ball strings are simply good and cheap! Read more user reviews.
 

Brand	Ernie Ball
Model	Earthwood 2003
Type	Acoustic Strings
Wrap Wire	80/20 Bronze
Coated / Non-coated	Non-coated
Gauge	Medium Light
Consumer Rating
Price Range	Discount price on Amazon US / Amazon UK

Comment from another happy user:

I. T. A

I use these on one of my acoustics that has a nice warm sound but not a lot of punch. Lights are a bit too light for this guitar, and these particular strings seems to be the perfect match for fast light action, and warm tone on this particular instrument. [Read original review here..]

A clip from YouTube on Ernie Ball Earthwood Strings.

Tweet

My Overall Rating:

Martin MSP4100 is currently on sale on Amazon US / Amazon UK.

C. F. Martin & Co. not only produce guitar, they design and make guitar strings as well. This Martin SP strings (Studio Performance series) is one of their great launch and ideal for live performance or studio. The Martin MSP 4100 are made to deliver outstanding tone.

I bought my pack of Martin MSP4100 not too long ago. Had always been a fan of D’Addario acoustic strings, this is the first time I try on Martin SP. And I must say I’m very please with the result. These strings use a brass electro plating on the non wound strings. What you will get is a softer and fuller tone.

Like D’Addario strings, Martin MSP4100 is also very consistent. From day one I put them on my Martin guitar, they sound absolutely amazing. Is almost 2 months now, and they haven’t lost any of that perfect sound. While I slight, the Martins seems singing in fuller and more complete tone if compare to the D’Addario.

I must agree with many people’s opinion that your perfect string is ultimately come down to your guitar and your ears. It’s kind of personal preference. So I would suggest you to give Martin MSP4100 a try. Feel them on your guitar. You might found they are perfect for you. Read more reviews.
 

Brand	Martin & Co.
Model	MSP4100
Type	Acoustic Strings
Wrap Wire	Phosphor Bronze
Coated / Non-coated	Non-coated
Gauge	Light
Consumer Rating
Price Range	Discount price on Amazon US / Amazon UK

What other user comment about Martin MSP4100 Strings:

D. Leach

Prior to using these I would break strings constantly. After a very long period of trying every string out there it was an easy choice. They are the only strings I use now, and occasional efforts to find something better have failed. Super reliable, tough, and they sound fantastic on my Rainsong Jumbo. I haven’t done a lot of reviews, but I truly think these are the best acoustic strings you can buy. [Read original review here..]

A clip from YouTube on Martin MSP4100.

Tweet

My Overall Rating:

Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 is currently on sale on Amazon US / Amazon UK

I was looking for new strings for my Yamaha acoustic guitar. I had played on Ernie Ball and D’Addario acoustic strings, and I wanted to try something new and different. So I decided to give Elixir Nanoweb coating 80/20 with a try, after browsing through some good reviews online.

Generally, Elixir acoustic strings come in 3 major types: Polyweb 80/20, Nanoweb 80/20 and Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze. I opted for Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 after being told by a friend that Polywebs are a bit dull in tone and that Nanoweb coating is not as thick as the Polyweb. You will get a brighter tone, and the coating doesn’t peel like the Polyweb.

So I put these strings on my Yammy. I found that they sound great and lively! The Nanoweb coating is so thin that it feels no different from playing an uncoated string. My guitar sounds beautiful; the tones are soft and bright. It is simply amazing!

Another great feature of Elixir Nanoweb strings is their consistency. They sound great when you first play them. And they still sound that good months later! Other strings may sound good at first, but after a couple of days, they start to sound dead. I’ve been using my Elixir Nanoweb strings for almost two months now, and they seem to maintain their original tone.

These are the best strings I’ve ever tried. You should try them out, seriously. Read more user reviews.
 

Brand	Elixir
Model	11052
Type	Acoustic Strings
Wrap Wire	80/20 Bronze
Coated / Non-coated	Nanoweb Coating
Gauge	Light
Consumer Rating
Price Range	Discount price on Amazon US / Amazon UK

Other user’s comment on Elixir Nanoweb 80/20:

O. BLGN

I have a 25 year old Yamaha FG-200D(Domestic model, made in Japan) acoustic guitar. When I bought it, it was around 200 – 250 USD. I always liked the way it sounded. It was always loud, bass rich, but a little dull in high tones. Recently I purchased a set of Elixir Nanoweb Light strings. Afterwards, it sounded so great that I won’t change it for a thousand dollar worth Martin. I realized that the difference was not in high strings, it was the coated low ones which now sounds crystal clear and still rich. I strongly recommend to any acoustic player. [Read original review here..]

A clip from YouTube on Elixir 80/20 Nanoweb.

Tweet

My Overall Rating:

D’Addario EJ16 is currently on sale on Amazon US / Amazon UK.

I got my D’Addario EJ16 through Amazon with their bundled pack of three. I have no reason to complain, because these strings sound great, and I got them for a steal— almost 50% off! I have a habit of changing my guitar strings frequently to keep the tone right, so this value-pack (three sets) suits me nicely.

I like the sound of my new strings. But oddly, the strings turn colors very quickly— after just a few hours of practice. May be I should blame it on my acidic fingers. Anyway, it’s okay, because the more I play my D’Addario EJ16 strings, the mellower the tone becomes. I love mellow sounds, so these strings are great for me. If you find that these strings sound too bright, give them a few days to settle in. The EJ16 will develop a very nice warm sound after couple of days.

One thing I really like about D’Addario EJ16 is the color code on the ball ends. These make it much easier when I do the restringing. I don’t have to worry about mixing my strings accidentally, and have no trouble identifying which string is which. Another advantage is the packaging: unlike other brands that keep their strings inside a normal paper envelope, D’Addario protects their strings with a corrosion-proof sealed bag.

Some of my friends have told me that Elixir strings are much more durable than the D’Addarios. But I have tried both types of strings on my guitar and tested them for quite a while. I would say my vote is still for D’Addario EJ16. These strings are simply the best! Read more user reviews.
 

Brand	D'Addario
Model	EJ16
Type	Acoustic Strings
Wrap Wire	Phosphor Bronze
Coated / Non-coated	Non-coated
Gauge	Light
Consumer Rating
Price Range	Discount price on Amazon US / Amazon UK

Other user’s comment:

Watch Guy

Sorry about using my credentials in the title, but I want to convey how much experience I have with these strings. Sorry if I sound like an ad. I REALLY love these strings.

I have strung literally thousands of guitars over my 40 years of repairing stringed instruments. D’Addario EJ16s are IMHO the best string money can buy- it is the standard of the industry for good reason… they’re simply the best string available! D’Addario’s corrosion-proof sealed bags ensure you get them as fresh as when they left the factory. Lower grade junky stings are shipped in simple paper envelopes and allow the strings to oxidize just sitting on the shelf or in your case. On the other hand, expensive hand made string, like DRs, are wrapped way too tightly, thus, have too much mass, so your intonation and rod will probably need to be readjusted. [Read full review..]

A clip from YouTube on D’Addario EJ16.

Tweet

My Overall Rating:

Martin FX is currently on sale on Amazon US / Amazon UK.

If you are need of quality guitar strings for your acoustic guitar, you may want to consider the Martin FX740 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings. Depending on your particular needs in terms of tone, your experience level and budget, these strings may or may not be a good option. You will find more information about Martin Guitar strings, particular the Martin FX740 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic guitar strings here, in this brief review.

Martin FX740 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings are made with thin core wire. This helps to improve flexibility and harmonic sustain. It also gives guitarists more playing control. What is especially nice is that the advanced core wire manages to do all of the aforementioned without sacrificing playability, durability or tone.
These are light gauge strings with the tension measuring 164.8. String gauge measures the diameter or thickness of the strings. They are measured in thousandths of an inch.

When deciding on which Martin acoustic strings a person should buy, a few considerations need to be made, amongst them, price, string type, string gauge, required tone and the age of the guitar. The right strings will affect the quality of the sound.

Price will be an important consideration for some people, though obviously not for everyone. If it is, it is important to avoid paying more money than one has to on strings. Martin FX740 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings are very affordable and can typically be purchased for less than $5.00.

As mentioned above, the gauge of the string, measures its diameter. There are four primary gauge options for acoustic guitars. They are Extra Light, Custom Light, Light and Medium gauge. The Martin FX740 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings have a light gauge, which measure between 12 and 54. These are often used by professional musicians.
The tone a guitar player is seeking will also affect their strings choice. Bronze strings are great for people who want a bright and clear tone. These strings, however, have one downside. They tone tends to fade. Phosphor Bronze Strings, which the Martin FX740s are, are ideal for warm tones with long holds.

Individuals in need of affordable, high quality guitar strings may want to consider the Martin FX740 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings. This is especially true of individuals that desire to play warm tones with long holds and who want light gauge strings. Martin FX740 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings are a great option for professional players who play their guitars regularly. Martin guitar strings come highly recommended and are generally rated quite high by guitarists.

I used to be a fan of Martin SP. Once I tried the FX series on my Lowden, I fell in love with them immediately! They are the best for finger picking and totally suit my style. These strings produce great tone and note separation. They are easy on my fingers especially for bends and slides. I love the feel and sound. And they seem to last just as well as the others. Read more user reviews.
 

Brand	Martin
Model	FX740
Type	Acoustic Strings
Wrap Wire	92/8 Phosphor Bronze
Gauge	Light:.012 - .054
Consumer Rating
Price Range	Discount price on Amazon US / Amazon UK

Tweet

My Overall Rating:

D’Addario EXP16 Strings is currently on sale on Amazon US / Amazon UK

What makes the D’Addario EXP strings really good is the fact that these acoustic guitar strings have a kind of special coating that is applied on the hex core that is of high-carbon prior to the process of the wrap wire wound. This feature is the one responsible behind making the EXP strings not just the sound similar to regular bronze but sustain up to several times much longer durability. This is also the very great feature which made D’Addario EXP16 strings a famous choice of many professional guitarists and will definitely make a big difference in your guitar playing.

D’Addario EXP16 strings is something that can deliver the perfect balance of tone, as well as comfortable playability. These guitar strings sound pure and crisp. Your fingers will experience an amazing feeling. The strings have longer life too, and they can sustain much better compared to other coated guitar strings.

Brass ends of the D’Addario EXP16 strings are painted different colors to differentiate each of them. My friend TJ use these on his Ovation, which strings tail-forward through the bridge, so the colored ends are visible and it looks so cool!

As the biggest manufacturer of the world of guitar strings, D’Addario is highly known to be “The Players Choice” that has reputation of great consistency and quality. For those who are just starting to learn acoustic guitar and do not have any ideas yet as to what should be the perfect guitar strings that you should use? Just go ahead with D’Addario EXP16 because these strings can deliver the long lasting and natural sounding, and it is the best coated strings that you can ever find in the market. Read more user reviews.
 

Brand	D'Addario
Model	EXP16
Type	Acoustic Strings
Wrap Wire	EXP Coated phosphor bronze
Gauge	Light
Consumer Rating
Price Range	Discount price on Amazon US / Amazon UK

Tweet

My Overall Rating:

Elixir Phosphor Bronze Strings are currently on sale on Amazon US / Amazon UK.

Phosphor Bronze Strings have unique sound and character. But these strings are prone to dull out quickly due to natural corrosion. When guitarists playing their guitars, the oils and other contaminants on their fingers will corrode guitar strings. This will shorten strings’ life. To combat these realities, Elixir Phosphor Bronze Strings had been introduced with Nanoweb technology – microscopic coating. They make your guitar sounds incredible in whatever extreme conditions.

I found Elixir phosphor bronze are above and beyond any strings I have played in the past. They can still sound the same even after 6 weeks of use. This had made them a very good choice for acoustic player like me who change strings often to keep that bright, clear and resonant tone. They may be a little pricey, but that’s okay because they last longer than other brands.

I’m a tone freak and won’t settle for anything less than that rich phosphor bronze sound. I’d tried earlier versions of Elixirs, though I liked the longevity, the sound wasn’t satisfactory in my opinion. But Elixir Phoshpor Bronze string is totally a great find for me! These strings give me more confidence in my playing. Because they simply sound better, which of course makes my playing sound better too. The string noise is minimal and my fingers will just slide smoothly up and down the neck. They are making my $400 Ibanez AE F18 play like a $1200 Martin!

You have nothing to lose by trying these babies out. I assure you, Elixir phosphor bronze strings will make you a better guitar player. Read more user reviews.
 

Brand	Elixir
Model	16052
Type	Acoustic Strings
Wrap Wire	Phosphor Bronze with Nanoweb coating
Gauge	Light:.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
Consumer Rating
Price Range	Discount price on Amazon US / Amazon UK

Tweet

Ernie Ball Acoustic Super Slinky played by The Counting Crows, The Edge, and Maroon 5 amongst many other touring musicians. Made with the finest and freshest raw materials, all Ernie Ball strings are hermetically sealed to ensure strings stay as fresh as the day they were made. You should buy one and see for yourself.

Let me show you one of the satisfied user’s review:

“I originally started buying Ernie Ball strings because I found the package looked killer! But once I tried these strings, they are awesome! They sound great, last long and the price is definitely right! “

Tweet

You can now buy this string at Amazon and save 55%!

If you ask me to pick the most durable acoustic guitar string, Elixir will definitely be my answer to you. These strings give bright and lively tone. They used ultra thin nanoweb coating which make them different from other traditional 80/20 bronze strings. They are designed to handle any toughest strumming.

Nanoweb coating actually cuts down unnecessary finger friction. It will keep strings last 3 – 5 time longer than regular strings. In other words, these are strings which you could count on their durability. You will see the quality yourself once you have them on your guitar. The difference will be dramatic – it will make your guitar sound completely different and totally awesome.

You gotta buy these strings!

Tweet

You can now buy EXP16 through Amazon and save more than 50%!

A micro-fine layer of EXP Coating is bonded to the phosphor bronze wrap wire which is then wound onto the hex-shaped core wire. This creates a built-in barrier against the corrosion and wear that can quickly sap the life out of the strings and tone.

EXP16 strings have a natural round wound feel and extra-bright tone that lasts three to four times longer than traditional guitar strings. Here are some of the user’s comments:

“These EXP16s sound better, in my opinion, than the Martins, Elixirs, and othersI have tried. The EXP11s aren’t quite as good (they are an 80/20 blend instead of the Phosphor Bronze used here. I have them on my Gibson J-100 Xtra, and I love them.

”These are pretty much the best sounding strings. They came on my acoustic, which is a Jasmine Takamine, and I couldn’t figure out for the life of me what they were until I discovered on the website that it was D Addarios… Great strings!”

Tweet