Leaderboard

Was looking for a certain something on my acoustic (Furch OM31SR) and not too happy with the sound of the 'standard' phosphor-bronze basses. So I decided to try a set of these, noting the silver coated basses and the very light gauge. As I was hoping, the basses sound bright in a warm way - very like the silver-wound silks on my flamenco which I like a lot. Think I'm going to enjoy these strings a lot. Not for everyone of course and if you're happy with the more normal phosphor bronze 11s or 12s then stick with them. These give a little less volume (suits me), a more mellow sound overall, and make you want to go charging up and down the neck a lot... they are 'nippy'! I play mainly fingerstyle on the acoustic and they suit well but work very well with a pick too. You have to back off on the power a bit, given they are light gauge. I think they would be a really interesting option if you have hand issues of any kind. Definitely worth investigating, around £12 a set, Amazon (via the D'Addario store) next day. I used to support Strings Direct but their prices are absolute top, and then they hit you £4 for post - which is a mickey-take as they use Hermes/Evri and it takes 4 days to get to you and cost them maybe £1.50. Rant over. D'Addario EJ83L strings - give em a go!!

I'm another one in the "it doesn't really matter" camp. I doubt if I could tell the difference between the most expensive wood and plywood, other than the weight.

Have to say that I'm with @Dad3353. I also can't tell the difference with different tone woods. My own custom built stratotele is mahogany and my esquire is swamp ash. I have exactly the same pickup and electrics in them and I can't tell any difference in the sound alone when I have recorded them, the difference comes to me when playing, but that is feel and weight etc playing their part. Same on bass... I have a custom precision that I built using Paulownia, a feather weight wood and it sounds the same as my regular boat anchor of a precision with an alder body (same pickups again). But my hearing just ain't what it used to be!!