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                 Rich_Smith 
                Lokahi 
                 
                
                USA 
                242 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - 04/03/2008 :  06:56:06 AM
                        
                      
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                       The January 2008 issue of Martin's "The Sounding Board" claims that "Clapton's Choice" strings are especially good for slack key because "they really hold together in the low frequencies" and the "sustain...is awesome.".  Anybody have experience with these strings and are they better than others?
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                        Rich Smith | 
                     
                   
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                 Fingerpickin 
                Lokahi 
                 
                
                117 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - 04/03/2008 :  08:24:44 AM
                        
                        
                      
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                       Rich,
  "Claptons choice" refers to a style of Martin brand strings that are uncoated, phosphor bronze strings. 
  They are described as "clear and bright." To my ear, they were much TOO bright for my guitar, a Martin D-28 Marquis.  I prefer the regular old Martin SP phosphor bronze strings.  However, my main complaint about the Claptons was that they didnt last long at all--only a few weeks with moderate playing time.
  One thing I think we all could agree on----there is no one "perfect" type of strings out there.  Every guitar is different, as is every player, and you may just have to try a bunch of types of strings to find the best for your individual playing style and guitar.  
  Good luck!
  -Lance | 
                     
                    
                        "Hey Lance, try watch."  -Ozzie | 
                     
                    
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                 Daryl 
                Aloha 
                 
                
                USA 
                28 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - 04/03/2008 :  2:50:16 PM
                        
                      
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                       I put a set of "Clapton's Choice" strings on my Taylor 814 a couple weeks ago and just replaced them last night for the same reasons Lance states.  I've never really cared for any type of Martin strings at all in all my years of playing. But that's just me.   My Taylor came with Elixer's which I like but about a year ago or so I tried GHS Infinity Bronze which I'm pretty happy with.  I also have a Martin D-18 and to me Elixer's sound good on that but not the GHS stings.  Like Lance says it all depends on your guitar and your style so you just have to experiment.
  Daryl | 
                     
                    
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                 thumbstruck 
                Ahonui 
                 
                
                USA 
                2189 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - 04/06/2008 :  3:05:46 PM
                        
                      
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                      |  Eh, Rich!  You know me.... D-18, D'Addario light guage phosphor bronze.  Everyone is different, thus the variety.  I knew a guy back in my Bluegrass days, he used D'Addario Reds.  They had more copper.  The guy could touch your guitar and kill the strings.  He found the "Reds" and loved them.  The "Reds" were discontinued.  Asi es la vida. | 
                     
                    
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                 Mark E 
                Lokahi 
                 
                
                USA 
                186 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - 04/08/2008 :  6:31:58 PM
                        
                        
                      
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                       I'm getting a real tinny sound on the first (highest) string pretty quickly with Pearse lights on my Martin parlor guitar.  Any suggestions for stings that have a rounder sound on the high strings?
  Mahalo, Mark E | 
                     
                    
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                 RWD 
                `Olu`olu 
                 
                
                USA 
                850 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - 04/09/2008 :  01:59:17 AM
                        
                      
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                      |  I use Nanao Webs but I have tried a lot of strings. GHS has a good variety of strings and a characteristics chart on the back of each package. | 
                     
                    
                       Bob | 
                     
                    
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                 javeiro 
                Lokahi 
                 
                
                USA 
                459 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - 04/09/2008 :  04:48:50 AM
                        
                      
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                      |  I've been switching back and forth between Elixir Nano's and Martin SP+ Extended Lifestrings and can't decide which I like better.  I use medium gauge on my Taylor GS and they both sound good for a pretty long time. | 
                     
                    
                        Aloha, John A. | 
                     
                    
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