Martin HD28 String Comparison ~ Martin MA540 Light vs. Stringjoy Naturals Balanced Light

Soft Finger Picking 1:58 Picking Out Notes 2:52 Strummy Strum Strum 3:50 Hard Strummy Strum 5:03
Please “Like” and “Subscribe”. Thanks! ~ I don’t usually do “gear” videos, but I made this for myself and I figured I might as well share it. I traded in my Taylor 417eR Natural because it just didn’t fit me in any way. This Martin HD28-E is superb. She’s a classic with Sitka top, Rosewood back n’ sides, Mahogany neck, and Ebony fingerboard. Martin recommends Martin MA550T Treated Medium (13 - 56), and they are shipped with them. However, they’re a bit too heavy for me, and I don’t play treated or coated strings. It’s like 'wearing a raincoat in the shower', as they say. I don’t like the coated feeling, and I miss the lack of string noise. I’ve always used Martin Phosphor Bronze on my Guild D-55, so I tried MA540 Light (12 - 54) and Stringjoy Naturals Phosphor Bronze Balanced Light (12 - 54). They are the same gauges, except for the G string (Martin = .025, Stringjoy = .024). Both sets demonstrated here are heavier than what I used to use on my Guild D55, which were Custom Lights (12 -52). Recorded au naturale with my iPhone. Which do you prefer?
Set Tensions:
Martin MA540: 168.50 lbs
Stringjoy: 173.5
The songs I’m noodling are:
1. Blackbird (Lennon / McCartney)
2. Supper’s Ready (Peter Gabriel / Phil Collins / Mike Rutherford / Tony Banks / Steve Hackett)
3. Pigs On The Wing (Roger Waters)
4. Free Falling (Tom Petty /Jeff Lynn)
I own nothing. All credit to the songwriters. I’m lucky I have shoes.
0:00 Opening Remarks
1:58 Soft Finger Picking
2:52 Picking Out Notes
3:50 Strummy Strum Strum
5:03 Hard Strummy Strum

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Hey, kids! I am very proud to announce the release of two new(ish) albums: “Tony Cultreri ~ On Betrayal”. Pure instrumental music, straight from my heart. A guitar-driven, intense, and emotional journey. And “Tony Cultreri & Brian Lynch ~ These Different Machines (Deluxe Edition)”. Essential songs, powerful lyrics, and passionate playing. The Great Ride's starting now! Visit tonycultreri.bandcamp.com for high-def digital downloads. They're also available to download on iTunes, and all other usual locations. Now streaming everywhere finer records and tapes are streamed. Your support is very much appreciated! ❤🎸🤘😎

[@PJ-jz5fm]

To my ear, the Stringjoys are much brighter all around with enhanced highs. I guess choice depends very much depends on the style of music you play. I have an HD28 from 2011 and it is my favorite acoustic, like you, the neck fits my hand perfectly. This may sound like sacrilege but I am currently using lightweight 08-42's and I have very low neck action. Thank you for taking the time to make a video they are always informative. PS I loved your Bill Nelson Maid in Heaven video.

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

I am going to try Custom Lights, next. (11-52) That’s what I had on my Guild D-55 all those years, and I am used to using a certain vibrato on chords that’s kinda tight on the 12’s, and annoying on the 13’s. ~ I’m so glad you liked the BeBop tutorial! Doing my best to help keep the music alive. I think I set a new interwebs record: 13,450 views so far, and only one “thumbs down”. In a time where people hate everything, it’s a miracle, lol...

[@alanpettibone]

I went back and forth a couple times with headphones and closed my eyes… I think the StringJoy sounded fuller and just better. I am not a Martin string fan so I tried to not let my eyes do the judging. I would do StringJoy in studio or at home and a cheaper string for on-stage work (where you sweat more and get exposed to other nasty things) so you aren’t blowing through strings that cost twice as much.

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Thank for your input! The Stringjoys are on the guitar, now, and I’ll play them for a while before making up my mind. I’m just so used to the Martins (34 years!)... 🥸

[@theotherside001]

I preferred the Martin strings in all, they sounded fuller.

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

I agree, and that’s what I’m using! 😅

[@relicofgold]

Would love to hear MY uncle Tony's tutorial on how to play the played song BLACKBIRD.

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Thanks for the suggestion. Keep on playing!

[@JohnB-ht1hq]

Stringjoys sound more balanced with less pronounced highs than the Martins. Playing solo rhythm or finger style, I think I’d go for the Stringjoys. Playing some lead in a group with others I think the Martins would cut through better and give you a different lane to play in. Of course, these were new sets. Might be interesting to repeat the comparison after both sets were played for a couple of weeks.

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Thanks for your input, and for watching!

[@amishcha]

Hi! I recently bought HD28e after listening to a lot of reviews. I like the tone and resonance a lot, but when I play some notes using my thumb, it just dies out very untimely, almost sounds like a thump. It is prominent on E notes and other notes closer to it on the lower strings, like 7th fret on 5th string and 2nd fret on 3rd string.l, and even the 12th fret on the 6th string. What is it? Could it be fixed any way? I also have same problem with another guitar I own called Merida SPOMCES with solid cedar top, but it is mostly lower G notes and notes around it. I spent a fortune (for me at least) on HD28, but I am a bit disheartened with it. The problem is I got it through a friend in the USA here in another side of the world, and I can't go back to the store to check if it was only my guitar's issue. A luthier here told me about Merdia that it happend because of high resonance of the note and the top just dampens it. Could be the same with the HD28 too? 😢 I would appreciate your any thoughts about it.