Finally a guitarist comparing strings who can play great and showcase the differences really well. I love both types and use 80/20 on my Yamaha LS16, phosphor bronze on my Yamaha LL16. My Martin HD35 sounds great with either but right now it has 80/20 equipped.
I just got a Martin GPCX2E and love it. Came with/Martins standard medium strings and sounds great. I grabbed Elixir Nan web light string and just put them on after 5 weeks of the Martin strings and sound is brighter and so much easier on my finger tips. I love my Elixir strings. I have a back up set and will only use Elixir strings going fwd
Just strung up my little Yamaha Storia with Phosphor Bronze 12/53 for the first time. Absolutely stunning, especially compared to the factory strings it came with. First thing I noticed was the sharp attack on the tone and the instant clarity it brings - making it sound like a guitar with double the price tag. The low end is definitely enhanced, though the overall presence and volume of the entire guitar is way up on what it was, which is impressive given that it’s a concert body. I’d even say it has volume and resonance of a dreadnought now. I did get some nasty buzzing initially and thought I might have to adjust the Truss Rod on account of the thicker gauge, but the neck settled into place on its own after a while and the buzzing disappeared completely. Very impressed - it really is like a new guitar. I’ve never heard any set of strings make such a dramatic and favorable difference.
Elixir strings are great. I use the Elixir Polyweb acoustic lights on my guitar, I never was into brightness but the polywebs were a perfect balance and cannot think of any better string. They sound similar to D'addarios which was my old favorite brand ages ago haha.
Konbanwa, Michael. One of your most illuminating videos! I've just been struggling with a nagging dissatisfaction with the ubiquitous PBs, and then I heard your Dadgad rendition with the 80/20s - like a revelation; I mean, the clouds parted. Phenomenal almost "double bass" depth to the low notes, and a genuine shimmer in the higher register. Gonna give these 80/20s a serious try in dadgad. And thanks again, Michael.
Phosphor Bronze is the clear winner. Evolution my dear people. 80/20 did us good for 90 years. On to the next. Get yourself some Phospher Bronze strings
My Gibson AJ has rosewood back and sides the phosphor leaves the guitar with no mids. Its alive with the 80/20's If you have a mahogany or maple backed guitar I bet the phosphor would do great.
It's not evolution, pb were created because 80/20 degraded very fast. But with coated strings now the durability is the same. So... nope. Elixir 80/20 for me thank you very much
To me they both sound pretty dull. The phosphor bronze a bit better but nothing like as crisp as D’Addario’s I use. Of course🎉 depends what has been done in the recording EQ.
I love the bass response from the 80/20 and the clarity! And goodness Michael’s playing is gorgeous! ❤
thanks for watching, Sean!
That was fascinating. I never expected that there would be such a marked difference. Phosphor Bronze were the clear winner for me.
Glad that you enjoyed the video, Adam.
80/20 for the win wow!!! I was not expecting that. 🤯
Finally a guitarist comparing strings who can play great and showcase the differences really well. I love both types and use 80/20 on my Yamaha LS16, phosphor bronze on my Yamaha LL16. My Martin HD35 sounds great with either but right now it has 80/20 equipped.
Thanks for taking the time to watch, glad that you enjoyed it!
Thank you for the Beautiful music and Heavenly playing
thanks for watching!
Thank you so much for this video! This was by far the best comparison I've ever seen and heard.
I usually use both - Elixir 80/20 and Elixir PB :)
We're glad that you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!
I just got a Martin GPCX2E and love it. Came with/Martins standard medium strings and sounds great. I grabbed Elixir Nan web light string and just put them on after 5 weeks of the Martin strings and sound is brighter and so much easier on my finger tips. I love my Elixir strings. I have a back up set and will only use Elixir strings going fwd
thanks!
Just strung up my little Yamaha Storia with Phosphor Bronze 12/53 for the first time. Absolutely stunning, especially compared to the factory strings it came with.
First thing I noticed was the sharp attack on the tone and the instant clarity it brings - making it sound like a guitar with double the price tag. The low end is definitely enhanced, though the overall presence and volume of the entire guitar is way up on what it was, which is impressive given that it’s a concert body. I’d even say it has volume and resonance of a dreadnought now.
I did get some nasty buzzing initially and thought I might have to adjust the Truss Rod on account of the thicker gauge, but the neck settled into place on its own after a while and the buzzing disappeared completely.
Very impressed - it really is like a new guitar. I’ve never heard any set of strings make such a dramatic and favorable difference.
Thanks for your comment, glad to hear it!
Elixir strings are great. I use the Elixir Polyweb acoustic lights on my guitar, I never was into brightness but the polywebs were a perfect balance and cannot think of any better string. They sound similar to D'addarios which was my old favorite brand ages ago haha.
Thanks Tidus!
Konbanwa, Michael. One of your most illuminating videos! I've just been struggling with a nagging dissatisfaction with the ubiquitous PBs, and then I heard your Dadgad rendition with the 80/20s - like a revelation; I mean, the clouds parted. Phenomenal almost "double bass" depth to the low notes, and a genuine shimmer in the higher register. Gonna give these 80/20s a serious try in dadgad. And thanks again, Michael.
80/20 all day. Can't get on with PB at all.
thanks for watching, Bruce!
Nice playing!
thanks for watching!
Greta demo and helpful
Thanks for watching, Bernard!
Please tell us the make of that guitar....and for that matter the mics used too please. Great video and great playing.
Thanks for watching, George. We'll reach out to Michael and get the info you've requested.
Hi George, the guitar is a Modified Dreadnought by Jason Kostal and the mics were Gefell M300s and Coles 4038s
I with have to try the 80/20 bronze elixir next time I change strings. Interesting comparison. 👍😊
Thanks!
😭 beautiful playing
Thanks for listening
Which do you hear as having more bass and bottom end and resonance?
Phosphor bronze
My acoustics are in drop C, so 20/20 have a nicer bass response to me. Cool video though:)
I hear you! 80/20 work really well for C tunings
@@MichaelWatts 80/20 correct 😉
Phosphor Bronze is the clear winner.
Evolution my dear people. 80/20 did us good for 90 years. On to the next. Get yourself some Phospher Bronze strings
My Gibson AJ has rosewood back and sides the phosphor leaves the guitar with no mids. Its alive with the 80/20's If you have a mahogany or maple backed guitar I bet the phosphor would do great.
Disagree
@@intothewild2345 many guitars sound great with PB that are rosewood tho, same with Hog and 80/20
Mine sounds better with 80/20 but my records also sound better than my cds.
It's not evolution, pb were created because 80/20 degraded very fast. But with coated strings now the durability is the same. So... nope. Elixir 80/20 for me thank you very much
80/20=brighter.
PhosphurBronze= warmer.
Nanoweb is better than polyweb
A preference for Tunning bb, one ton lower ?
Please what’s name brand this pick?
Hi Jakub, I use picks by Master 8 - they’re made in Japan and can be hard to find in other countries but I really like them
Thanks Michael!
Good joob
Is there different string tensions? Do they both bend easily?
From my experience phosphor felt stiffer.
To me they both sound pretty dull. The phosphor bronze a bit better but nothing like as crisp as D’Addario’s I use. Of course🎉 depends what has been done in the recording EQ.
To simplify: 80/20 is mid-scooped while PB has way more mids.
Don’t be fooled folks. Take it from me that these strings will not make you a good guitar player. False advertising. 🤣
Hahaha