What Are The Best Acoustic Guitar Strings? Elixir versus Martin String Sound Test

I compare Elixir and Martin guitar strings to see which sound better on my Martin D-28 acoustic guitar.
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00:00 Intro
01:40 How I'm Comparing Them
03:24 Playing Comparison
07:06 Conclusion

[@lilbumkin9871]

I know next to nothing about guitars but this content is still really entertaining and informational in a way that I have only seen from you and this channel. Lovin' it man

[@malcolmkyeremeh5444]

Very interesting channel rework as you stated in the previous vid. I love guitars so I'm all for it

[@inzanity5755]

Was curious on the content after your last video stating the change to guitar videos. Didn't realize you had such talent in guitar picking as you did mouse clicking lol! Great job GF keep up the great content my friend!

[@maxlevel9509]

Thanks for the great video 👌

[@modern.day.meditations]

Thank you for the comparison. I think you search for more warm mids in your sound and the Martins were a little "rounder". That's also the reason you liked more the sound of the D-18. If you get the D15M you're gonna really fall in love.

[@giopamintuan3936]

For a moment, I thought your channel got hacked 🤣 As a musician myself, love the video and I'mlooking forward to more content on this channel!

[@melodymaker396]

I would have to agree with your thoughts on this sound test. Yes, the Elixirs maybe last longer but no one talks about, is the fact the Elixirs are twice the price of Martins. They should last long for that price. In the long run, it's all subjective and like comparing Chevys to Fords.

[@sixpicker82]

I found this video searching for strings for my HD-28. Before I got the HD-28 about 5 years ago I had a Martin D16 RGT Dreadnought and always used Elixer Nanoweb 80/20 bronze strings. I think I fell out of love with the price, but I can attest to the piano like brightness, long break-in period and longevity of those strings. I always preferred the Elixers after the broke in after months and lost the brightness. For the past 5 years, I’ve been using Diadarrio 80/20 bronze on the HD28 and changing them more frequently. I couldn’t get enough brightness/punch out of Diadarrio phosphor bronze. I recently changed to Diadarrio 80/20 XP and I’m still not getting the sound I want. Now to tie this all into the video…..I also picked up a D18 standard about a year ago and they come with Martins Lifespan 2.0 Phosphor Bronze. I cannot believe how good that guitar and string combo is! The sound is perfect to my ear. I will try the Lifespans on the HD soon.

[@jefferyclark351]

Great video on this comparison. They both sounded great. The elixir sound better on a hd-28 Martin because of lot more bass

[@dshredmusic]

It's actually so much more than just the wood. The wood does create different types of resonance, but the articulation and responsiveness are more often than not the strings, the pick and the player. 80/20's are incredibly cool sounding. I rock those on my Taylor ever since I bought it.

[@thebañosongs]

Cant agree more.. I was using the D'Addario XS PB strings on my dreads and j-45s for a year till recently a came across the Martin Authentic acoustic 2.0. strings and fell in love with it. Yes, the XS strings last forever like the elixirs but the tone does not settled in. its like having a new set of strings for 6-8 months.. not that i dont like the sound of new strings is just that for my old ears i find it too bright after few hours of playing, the feel is also different too. but then again, we all have different preferences. now i use different types of strings on both of my guitars. Dreads - Martin Authentic Acoustic 2.0 J-45s - Martin Retro strings

[@chinchillax1483]

I’ve never tried phosphor bronze strings before. I just get the 80-20 Elixir nano web and I like the feel of them, so I haven’t bothered trying anything else. I do like the sound of the Martins, though.

[@shred5]

I have a guitar where the highs can be a little powerful with brand new phosphor bronze strings, but after a few hours of playing once the highs begin to die, that was about ideal. For years, I used Elixir's which tamed the high end and also lasted a while. I have since found strings I like better on that guitar, but I our experiences are generally similar.

[@billieg826]

I have recently tried the Martin Treated Strings . I usually change strings once a month. These Martin treated stings have been on for two months and still don't sound like they need to be changed.

[@RonRivet]

I really like the Elixirs on my D28 but ended up selling the D28 and bought a D18. I'm a fan of Elixirs but find them too bright on my Martin but love them on my Taylor. I think I will be trying out Martins next time because I want to tone the D18 down and not be too bright.

[@chaseadams7962]

I love both sets of strings to be honest. Each set has its own unique characteristics. I always thought I was an Elixir guy myself, and then I bought my first D18 and it came with the Martin strings. After playing with them for some time, I’ve really come to appreciate the Martin strings. But in truth, I’d be happy with either set.

[@RobertBasilio]

Coming from someone who has regularly used Elixirs for the past 10 years, I thought the Martin strings sounded better too, at least in these sound comparisons.

[@R.L.Humpert]

I think with the Martin strings it sounds like someone turned the volume down. Elixir is too bright it louder. I think the Daddario xp songs sound better than both and it’s fairly noticeable to me. What do you think about string joy? I hear they’re really good??? I have 2 Martins I use most far more than my Taylor. Thanks

[@hercules_0882]

My main’s Viper, been playing her since the beta but my favourite strings are the Daddario XP series

[@jayp7552]

My main is Yoru but like really liking the Ernie Ball .10 gauge strings

[@JohnnyRebKy]

80/20s on a D18 will be a bit bright. Use Phospher Bronze on D18. On a D28 the phospher bronze can be a bit dark so use 80/20s on D28 to brighten it up a bit. That’s what I’ve always done 👍🏻

[@mjlacourse5757]

Sounds like the mic got moved a bit, I hear more promity effect on the martins

[@shanewolfe6912]

I run elixir with pb medium on HD35, sounds like a good broke in set of EJ17’s for months at a time.

[@sc12100]

Elixirs don’t sound the best when they’re brand new imo. However, that last forever and after their long break in period is over, they still sound pretty good.

[@tomasgoncalves8286]

Nice video, but we still have the million dollar question: which one live the longest???

[@AndrewGonzalesArtistry]

I never really agreed with the coated string concept. Fresh (uncoated) strings are bright and jangly. With time, crud settles in the coil and they become dull. So in summation, they dull over time. With coated strings, they don’t dull at all over time because they’re “pre-dulled” with a coating. In other words, they never were as bright as uncoated strings. I think someone thought it was the tarnish that made strings sound dull and tried to rectify that, but a tarnished silver coin is as resonant as a brilliant. You might as well buy pre-stained underwear, which is much more pleasing in my opinion.

[@Dildobagginses]

Very eloquently said

[@ramspencer5492]

I don't like phosphor bronze for like the first 12 hours.. And they need to be played in a little bit too. They're kind of brittle and in your face for a while.... Never know if I'm going to like a phosphor bronze string until it's a little bit played in.

[@markkarpinski1460]

Personally, I think you would get a fuller sound between bass, mid and treble if you put 12’s on the guitar and either set would sound better and your playing would be better and easier to play.

[@allenko7892]

I am currently choosing between these two. Can you do one with D18 thank you.

[@Paulcarlinmusic]

I went to buy a 28 and came home with the 18. More bass and more overall uniform sound good for singing over.

[@Paulcarlinmusic]

I went to buy a 28 a few months ago and came with the 18

[@sustainablelife1st]

Martin strings are probably part of the martin sound. Id use martin on martin.

[@DjNikGnashers]

I preferred the Elixirs. The Martins had a harsh sound to the mid/treble like overpowering overtones.

[@davidbarnett5777]

I know next to nothing about strings, but I can hear. The Martins are warmer…more mellow.

[@jayp7552]

This valorant gameplay is pretty dope ngl😂 nah fr I play music and love the new direction ur going and doing what makes u happy

[@cdk3law]

I think the D-18 sounds better than a D-28 anyway, IMHO...

[@AchillesWrath1]

I've always used Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Lights

[@Christ-is-King-]

The D18 does sound great.

[@MississippiDave]

Since Covid happened, I swear there has been a dip in quality of Elixir strings. They sound more dead than they used to. I think they’ve cut corners somehow w how they’re making them to cut cost. They aren’t the same string as they were 10 years ago.

[@hoosierdz4403]

Well... my friends always say martin had a quality uptick. That said. At least out here.... they were at least 30% more expensive

[@scottkelly2558]

To me the Martins sounded better. More mellow and a little more bass

[@liberalsrmentallyflawed3611]

Only difference to me is.. The tone of the low E when picked..

[@fdllicks]

For elixirs, 80/20=brighter. PhosphurBronze=warmer. Nanoweb is better than polyweb

[@kevindonahue7355]

Martin strings sound the best I use them on my alverez yairi and I love them alot

[@bobaldo2339]

The Martin strings definitely sound better to me.

[@larrnew]

I couldn’t tell any difference 😎

[@macintune]

Martin

[@kdarby7535]

Erni Ball Gold coated strings #1

[@venturaVlogger]

Medium strings sounded stiff

[@lynnglidewell7367]

Taylor says Elixir all the way on their Guitars. Hard to argue.

[@johnnyadams6222]

Martins sound the best.

[@BushidoPhoto]

The Martin strings win in my opinion.

[@anderson9921]

ρяσмσѕм ⭐

[@YoBoyClassyMusic]

I been using elixir for 10 years. Def better in my opinion

[@vzeller]

Yes, if you like the sound of plastic and the feel of slippery nonsense.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@vzeller Or like not having any horrible scratchy or squeaky fret sounds while playing, and not having to change your strings so often because Elixer's last longer than almost anything. They sound fantastic, and stay sounding fantastic for longer.

[@vzeller]

@@DjNikGnashers Not one pro player plays them for a reason.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@vzeller Bullshit. LOTS of professional guitarists use Elixir strings.

[@vzeller]

@@DjNikGnashers Name them......Pro players that play big venues use Ernie, Martin, and D'addario. Longevity isn't a factor when your guitar tech changes the strings for you after every gig or 2 anyway. Saying Elixirs are great because they last long is like saying my ear infections are great because they last long. This is obviously a subjective topic but there is a reason that players who only play strings based on sound and not longevity choose other brands. If you like the sound of metallic tint and plastic and you want that sound to last long, Elixir is for you.

[@smandez2023]

I personally think Elixirs are some of the most overrated strings ever. I don’t like how they sound, feel, and stupid cost.

[@user-yh3xm3zo9l]

Defo agree very overrated very dead n dull ,, these ones Martin lifespan have cracked it for me, 👍

[@Christ-is-King-]

They definitely don’t sound as good as Martin non coated strings. They do last for awhile.

[@charlesmitchell3366]

Played for 55 years and the Martins are always better. Especially the life span. Use them on my custom shopp 0028 Martin and Hd 28😂😅

[@DjNikGnashers]

Rubbish. You're just a Martin fanboy. The Elixir's are well known for lasting longer than just about any other strings. Tone differences might mean some people prefer the martin strings, but longevity is not a reason. I use Elixers on my hand built Lowden.

[@pavelfeoktistov3217]

Martin