Ernie Ball Acoustic Strings - The Ultimate String Test!

Guitar World tech editor Paul Riario demoed three different sets of Ernie Ball Acoustic Strings over the course of three days. He used all sets on a dreadnought and a jumbo acoustic. Check out the differences and pick your favorite!
Happy Strummin by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
Artist: audionautix.com/

[@esmeraldam8652]

Earthwood Phosphor (Dreadnought) 0:46 - 1:00 Earthwood 80/20 (Dreadnought) 2:18 - 2:33 Earthwood Aluminum (Dreadnought) 3:51 - 4:06 Earthwood Phosphor (Jumbo) 1:29 Earthwood 80/20 (Jumbo) 3:01 Earthwood Aluminum (Jumbo) 4:34

[@marinetelopes4650]

5:32

[@thirdeyelandslide_]

Thank you!!

[@jeremykennedy8402]

Jorian I tried by ear I think it's in drop d tuning and the chord shape might be 5th fret on D and 5th fret on A. Also the 4th fret on the G string let all the strings ring out. That's the first chord move it up to the Octave then move it to the 8 fret. Then keep doing that and you should get it.

[@chrish1695]

Thank you

[@erangabandara-guitarcovers6299]

Aluminum Bronze gives a clear sound, i bought a set yesterday and sounds perfect

[@SoMyungJung]

Probably the best demo of Paul ever. Nice work.

[@anggapradana9470]

+So Myung Jung Guitar World just need a metal guitarist for metal demo. :D

[@judsonbonneville6685]

2:00 that thumb picked bass note. WOW.

[@CJZonneveld]

I'm a big fan of the earthwood phosphor bronze serie's. Those string have a great tone.

[@chrisretro81]

I love his guitar playing in all demos

[@lt1caprice57l]

I put the aluminum bronze strings in medium-light (12-54) on my Yamaha FG-441S. They REALLY woke that guitar up. A tad bit bright when I first strung it up, they warmed up a little bit within a week and now they are perfect match for the guitar. I doubt I'll ever put any other strings on that guitar again.

[@salpicatulocura]

IMHO: Dreadnought - Phosphor bronze Jumbo - Aluminum bronze

[@richardwatson7480]

Yep...you nailed it.

[@zeerakkhan7140]

Your videos get better day by day ! Keep up the good work.

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

The Aluminum Bronze I used on my Martin for years, my go-to. I just switched to Elixirs and now all my acoustic and electrics have Elixir. I like coated strings I guess, I find less squeak when changing chords. Still love me some aluminum bronze, have a few packs still.

[@joeybenoit6269]

Yep he's great it's one thing to play it's another to write and play consistently! Steve Howe! Great guitarist! Yes indeed!

[@borislavborislavov4226]

wtf is Badger from Breaking Bad doing here?

[@davidbaca2493]

Breaking bad reference, peaky blinders profile pic, commenting on a guitar video, ah, another man of culture I see 😌😂

[@borislavborislavov4226]

@@davidbaca2493 hahaaha goddamn right...wait till you find out what other things I like :D

[@stefaneduard8169]

OMG the Ernie Ball aluminium bronze! Truly amazing..

[@OscarBenben]

Ernie Ball Everlast 12-54 is the real deal guys

[@parrotbrand2782]

the strings sounded the same or perhaps too similar to tell apart in this video. what was obvious however, was the difference between the dreadnought and the jumbo! but I would buy the alu- bronze because if all uncoated, alu- bronze will be more corrosion resistant.

[@guitarplayer2846]

Coated strings aren't nearly as warm on an acoustic. I tried several sets over the years to no avail. Frequent string changes are necessary. When it comes to tone, there's no shortcuts.

[@ramspencer5492]

You we're listening on your phone or something?

[@KarstenJohansson]

If anything, this review made me think I need to add a Jumbo to my setup. Also that dreadnaught had slightly out-of-tune overtones you can hear in the chords that I hadn't expected. I really don't like that one for how flat it feels, and those poor overtones.

[@johnlackner1193]

Which ones are easiest on the fingers?

[@RevoltingRudi]

Plot-twist no strings where changed. xD

[@timigregory]

tuning pegs are different so.....

[@Subholik3]

XDDD

[@stnwrd]

How do the Ernie Ball 2004 Earthwood Acoustic 80/20 Bronze Strings Lt sound compared to the 11-52 Martin MA175 SP 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings Cst Lt 11-52?

[@cloudyifr]

Very subtle difference to my ears but I enjoyed it very much. What was the first part (song) that you were playing?

[@Misha.musica]

I was so envolved in what you were playing that I forgot to pay attention to the sound of the strings 😂

[@CR1992..]

Going with the first and second sets. After listening over and over, the 3rd set is too bright, 2nd set is almost perfect but unlike the 1st set it doesn't sound as tight. Hard to explain but the chords seem to sustain more and merge into the others after a change and, while the first set doesn't have that. That doesn't mean they aren't good to my ears because they are, just that extra brightness from the last set throws me off.

[@robintevoortwis460]

Thanks a lot, that made it clear to compare

[@jeank6496]

Thank you very much!!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@TheAdrian91706]

Phospor Bronze best overall but the Aluminium give the Jumbo a nice taylor high end sound. I pick Phospor as my choice for a Martin Guitar

[@51Dss]

Thanks for this vid - I'm going to try the Aluminum bronze on my Gibson j45 studio and the Earthwood bronze on my Taylor 114e.

[@antonio.lovric]

@51Dss so how did you liked on your J-45?

[@CristianoCezar]

Very nice comparision!! thanks!!! I´m already a fan of the aluminum ones!!! great

[@darrkstarg]

The Aluminum Bronze strings have been my go-to strings for nearly 2 years. I do miss my Elixirs once in awhile... but I just can't pass up the sound of the AB strings. This test just doesn't do them justice, you gotta hear them live to really get why.

[@glisteningkabana8154]

Darrkstar420 Nice to know. I’ve been using D’addario EJ16’s. Not bad, but definately keen to try the aluminium bronze!

[@therock9336]

Ernie ball EarthWood for life

[@MedalionDS9]

Aluminum Bronze sounds fantastic

[@arthomsalacsacan5238]

What’s the second song?

[@theexpatriatenomad9369]

First thing I noticed was the big difference in tone/response between the dreadnought and Jumbo body. The jumbo just blows the dreadnought away..The 80/20 bronze sound terrible on the jumbo.

[@CarlosCasablancas33340]

What is the name of all songs has he played?

[@eithanlayton6143]

I'm gonna be aspiring

[@ardaagn7044]

How long can i use this sir ?

[@nuoxy]

Awesome

[@theprolynx13]

1:30 what song?

[@eliotwalsh0]

What kind of mic is used in these demos?

[@ANTYRULZHARD]

Please someone what song is he playing at 1:30 on the jumbo and again later???????????

[@johnaavang5312]

Thank you for the video! Very informative

[@brianhernandez2578]

What's the song called in the first on he played?

[@yumsyngates4866]

can i use this for solo modd!!??

[@Nothingpovride]

I just love the first one

[@_whitevelvet]

great video! thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@abelvergara6021]

You had me at 80/20's ☺

[@guitarplayer2846]

I've used them for years. They have a short life but they sound like an orchestra. When it comes to tone, I'm fine with frequent string changes.

[@deeseen3495]

Great stuff thanks

[@skopas]

...the medium light bronze fits the pic. I can hear more colour between the chord changes. Just enough bass, without the metallic clang of the lighter strings. The lighter strings 3rd set, have a rich metallic ring to them. REM type of sound. 1st set, was thick on the bass. No wrong or right. Just subjective taste, that's all. Its all universal music.

[@Daver869]

Paul, please make a review of the new Ernie ball acoustic Paradigm strings

[@travelinman617]

I love ernie all strings there a great sound the best I use ernie ball strings on all my guitars there the best

[@robinbaiduza1418]

Which do you prefer? D'Addario or Ernie Ball?

[@banalnademonyo7705]

Ernie ball

[@aidasgreblikas9014]

Can anyone tell me one good argument for demoing strings? People like Paul get paid for saying good things about gear they demo. He's not gonna say anything bad about it. Strings is a very relative personal thing that is based on feel (lets be honest, you cant hear a difference from a demo anyways).

[@Bodzi0666]

+Aidas Greblikas Totally agree.

[@chrismeyers524]

I believe Guitar World probably is getting paid for them to put this content out and that helps them keep the publication going. If it were pure magazine sells they would go under.

[@kingstumble]

So don't listen then.

[@TheDevmapall]

How can you not tell the difference? The last set is really clear sounding, because of less medium range tones, and the second set is a bit quieter than the first one, also having a bit more medium tones. That's what I was able to hear.

[@30smsuperstrat]

I can definitely hear a difference. I appreciate string comparisons. They may not tell you that one sucks, just the differences. That’s all I need. I definitely don’t want to go blind and be changing a bunch of acoustic strings cause I have no idea of how they sound. If I can narrow it down to 2 or three before purchasing and trying out I’m ahead of the game.

[@geraldvargas3406]

Can someone tab the jumbo strumming riff

[@nicholasmanoukian]

What’s the point of medium light strings?

[@genebrenner855]

It's just their marketing. These are what we know as light gauge.

[@stevenwithaph9785]

Gives you light gauge GBE but you can get a little bit more bass out of the e a d

[@garethdandridge2539]

what song were you playing on the jumbo

[@zeerakkhan7140]

The only thing I know is that it is in DADGAD tuning.

[@camilleyalung9150]

Sounds a lot like the Fear of Being Alone by Reba McEntire

[@alexilaiho8534]

Why do i hear buzzing in your taylor guitar??

[@maraviyoso8473]

Because you have two things at both sides of your head called EARS. And because the Jumbo is tuned in DADGAD and probably the lowered 1st., 5th. and 6th strings contribute to it.

[@cszollinger]

Paul also just really plays SO hard and when he really plays into it, the guitar buzzes.

[@alexilaiho8534]

@@maraviyoso8473 well guess what, my cheap guitar doesnt with that tuning even though i have the two things at the side of my head.

[@chadnishikawa4646]

now compare the martin retro !

[@samson1520022000]

I have been using retros on my 12 fret ladder brace. I am now looking because weird sounds out of the e and b strings

[@FoiMal123]

The starting riff sounds like Folk version of smoke on the water. lol

[@PlayerThe90]

Can someone refresh my mind about the second example song?

[@russellmusictv4403]

They all released different albums under varied aliases.

[@timotheeeful]

No. I'm Paul from Guitar Wolrd.

[@SergeUnplugged]

Phosphor bronze 😉

[@evangreindl4700]

Is that DADGAD at 1:29

[@interstateceo303]

Aluminum Bronze wins my ear...

[@jasonshrestha]

5:12 5:26

[@robroy4058]

Aluminium bronze are my favorite.

[@ManosRK]

I only hated the second set of strings. Good demo!!

[@ManosRK]

+Μάνος Καραμάνος If I had to choose only one then definitely Bronze

[@joeybenoit6269]

This guy should have played for Jethro Tull!!! Seriously!

[@carafael]

5:10

[@cerxes8299]

We're missing Saul from Guitar Centre

[@nickspitzley8539]

An apostle joke?

[@JeremyMarcelo]

I'm broke please do some giveaways

[@tommyjoe4310]

The Taylor wins with any strings 😉🙃

[@perfectfan2006]

strings r us glasgow ky mom and pop made strings on asw,m ...best ever

[@Keuthonymus]

boss gt 100

[@mfb5642]

too thin

[@Awsomes141]

Taylor's sound better in general tho

[@jimothygoldfish]

ELIXER POLYWEBS THO

[@jimothygoldfish]

+Jimmy Golden Nevermind these strings sound ridiculously good

[@therock9336]

Jimmy Golden pfft EarthWood's all day lol

[@guitarplayer2846]

I've tried a lot of "webs" and they won't go on my guitar again. When it comes to tone, there's no shortcuts. Coated strings have no life to them. They're for kids with greasy fingers or dirty hands.

[@s.c.7370]

Guitar Player True. I actually use coated elexir 80/20 on my ST40. I killed them in 2 weeks with fingerpicking. Sad to see...

[@jonathanvazquez9685]

Polywebs sounded like an old set of dead strings on my guitar. Never again!

[@davehunt9817]

Just can't beat a Taylor - no matter the stings...

[@QuietToproll]

Froggy Bottom Guitars

[@ramspencer5492]

You like bright guitars?

[@maraviyoso8473]

Elixirs SUCK!!!!!!!! Moisty, can't hold a tune and too stiff. Aluminum Bronze are no better. Sounds great, but too fragile. Earthwoods are much better

[@godawgssicem1849]

Why does his hair look like he just rolled out of bed though? Sloppy as hell lmao

[@juancarlosrodriguez6178]

80/20 bronze is crap