Each stringed instrument I have owned is common in one way – they all reached their full potential when I spent the time to find the right strings for them.
By the right strings, I not only mean the proper type (flat wound, round wound, etc.) but the most well suited to bring out the character of the instrument (brand, material used, construction technique, tension, etc).
I find the marriage of instrument to string more important than a preamp, pickup or any piece of hardware on the instrument.
I have a Yamaha acoustic dreadnought that shines with medium D’Addario XL acoustics. The bright clarity of these round wound strings shimmer along with the creamy midrange of the spruce top.
I have a fretless bass that loves the bite of medium stainless steel round wound strings. I took me two years, many sets of strings and almost giving up on the instrument until I came upon this combination. I had to isolate what I liked about the instrument and how I could emphasize it. It is now my favorite bass.
I have a fretted bass that loves medium nickle flat-wound strings from Ernie Ball and high action. It gets a lowmid thump that is other worldly.
I have a classical guitar that likes mellow, loose bass strings from Savarez and bright, higher tension carbon trebles from Hannabach. This instrument has strong bass frequencies and needs a little help in getting the treble to pop out of it.
I have another classical guitar that uses high tension strings from D’Addario that help to shake up its thick top and finish.
I realize it can be time consuming, expensive and frustrating, but finding the right match of string to instrument can be worth the investment.
*If you don’t know where to start, I highly recommend D’Addario. Great company and great products.
