Martin acoustic guitar strings

4.5 (8)

1 Critic Review

2 Reviews

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Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

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Leigh Fuge

Picking the Perfect Set of Acoustic Strings - Martin Guitars String Shootout

Leigh Fuge

Martin Guitar String Comparison丨MA540/MA550S/MA175T

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about martin acoustic guitar strings.

User experience

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Martin Lifespan strings are preferred for their initial sound, with bulk purchases from Amazon offering cost savings.
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D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings are recommended for enhancing bass response, particularly on guitars like the 000 model, providing a noticeably bassy tone.
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Martin Lifespan 2.0 strings are reported to provide a clear and crisp sound on a D-18, though some describe the Retros as having a unique "smoker's lung" clarity.
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Phosphor bronze strings can tarnish quickly with sweat chemistry, while 80/20s avoid this issue for some users.
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Martin 80/20s are favored on the 000-18 for their sound but noted to wear out quickly.
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Users suggest that Martin strings have an initially bright and fresh sound but may lose sustain quicker compared to D'Addario strings.
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D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings are favored for enhancing bass response on mahogany guitars, providing a richer, more lush sound.
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Use cases and applications

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Elixir strings are noted for maintaining a "new string" sound over extended periods, with some users keeping them on guitars for up to ten years.
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Thomastik Infeld Plectrum strings are noted to last almost three years, sounding worked in from the start, making them a cost-effective option despite the initial price.
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D'Addario Nickel Bronze lights enhance both feel and aesthetics on D-18 guitars.
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Martin Retros are praised for adding balance on models like the D-18.
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80/20 bronze strings are described as having a vintage sound, suitable for guitars with overly complex tones, though they may feel spongy to some players.
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Value and pricing

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Santa Cruz parabolic strings, though expensive, are favored for their quality and performance on various Martin guitars.
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Comparisons

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Martin Retros are praised for smaller body guitars like the 000-15sm, offering a clear sound that may not suit dreadnoughts as well.
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Martin 12.5 light/mediums bring out the voice of the HD-28 better than 12 or 13 gauges.
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Martin Lifespan 2.0 strings are noted to be slightly less stiff and quieter compared to D'Addario EJ17s, making them a preferred choice for some flatpickers.
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Some players find John Pearse Pure Nickel strings similar in stiffness to phosphor bronze but with unique sonic qualities, preferred over Martin Monels by some.
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Setup and maintenance

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Light gauge strings on 000-18s allow for more free top vibration, ideal for fingerstyle playing.
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Features and functionality

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Phosphor bronze strings are recommended for their loudness, full-bodied sound, and sparkling overtones, making them ideal for flatpicking.
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Critic Reviews

Gear Review: Martin’s Redesigned Authentic Acoustic Strings | Acoustic Guitar

acousticguitar.com

Martin's redesigned Authentic Acoustic strings impress with their lively tone and durability. The Lifespan 2.0 set stands out, maintaining a fresh sound even after weeks of use. While the simplification of Martin's lineup was a smart move, players seeking rich overtones and harmonics will find these strings a compelling choice.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 8 Ratings

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ihategage

178

about 11 years ago

Great tone, Long lasting

Before using Martin Acoustic strings, I used Elixirs. While Elixir makes great strings that are long-lasting, I think that Martin Strings have the brightest, warmest tone for acoustic guitars.

boom762

12239

11 years ago about 11 years ago

It was suggested I buy some sort of elixirs. I ended up using them and they do seem to last a good while. I noticed the other day that the brightness isn't as high or metallic as some other strings, but I did them. The warm tone coming out of them now is perfect I think. Makes the guitar sound larger.

jimmarchi1

41029

11 years ago about 11 years ago

The thicker plastic webbing on elixirs (compared with some mainstream strings that now have a coated option) makes them last longer but also makes them a little less bright out of the box. They have that 'worn in for a week' sound from day 1. Its a matter of personal preference and a question of how much you mind changing acoustic strings (or if you have a slave, wrr, 'tech' to do it for you.)

pietroschaff

173

almost 11 years ago

Long-lasting strings with a signature sound

Every musician who likes the sound of Acoustic Guitars knows how important Martin & Co is on this area. These strings are incredibly long-lasting with a vibrant and powerful tone. They are the perfect pair for a Martin Guitar but they can also be used with other guitar brands to add its unique steel sound to the instrument.