L-o3 Elixir or Cleartone

[guitartom_ca]

I have a L-03 and i have been using elixer nanoweb light Phosphor Bronze strings. I heard that Cleartone strings are nice.
What do you all prefer? especially L-03 owners.

[jeremy3220]

This is an easy question:
Neither.

Put some Phospher Bronze D'Addarios on there. But for the record I would take anything over Cleartones.

[jimmyp]

I like the Elixirs a lot. The Cleartones are not bad, but they are harder on your fingers. JP

[Blue in VT]

My guitars arn't L bodies....but I play Elixir nano pb ights on both and love them...you've got the right ones...cleartones...



Blue

[Parlor Picker]

And as mentioned often on this forum and others, by myself and other posters - give Newtone strings a try.  I think they sound even better than the excellent D'Addarios and last longer as well.

[imwjl]

Just try different ones and go with what you like.

You might want to read up on differences in construction (round vs. hex core, brass, bronze, nickel, treated or not.....) first. One of the recent issues of Acoustic Guitar had an article on strings, and same for Guitar Player.

Playing style might be a factor too. I didn't like the popular Elixirs because they didn't have the punch and hammer on performance for mixing strums and lead and double stops, but they did have a high cutting blended strumming sound - no rights or wrongs, but what you like.

FWIW: Right now I have D'Addario EXPs and I pronounce them as having the punch and percussion the Elixir Nanos did not have, not as good as fresh D'Adarrio EJs and not as prone to feeling sticky or hard as Cleartones, but maybe not as long lasting. I think some round cores and/or DR are my next trial on the Larrivee because round core DR strings are WOW! good on my Telecaster for both tone and performance.

Have fun experimenting.

[bhika]

And as mentioned often on this forum and others, by myself and other posters - give Newtone strings a try.  I think they sound even better than the excellent D'Addarios and last longer as well.

[Mikeymac]

Some have mentioned the Cleartones being 'hard' or 'stiff.' I found that on Cleartone acoustic strings, so I moved from medium to light to get the feel I wanted.  The tone is okay, but it stays okay for a long time.  I tend to used either Martin SP's or SP Fingerstyles, or D'Addario, but I've also been happy with GHS phospher bronze as well...don't personally like ANY 80/20 bronze strings.

I tried a set of Cleartone electrics on my MIA Strat, and really liked them on that guitar - much better than the acoustic strings. YMMV.

[TeleScope]

Hi,

I've had a set of DR "pre alloy" (I have no idea what that means  ) 12-54s on my L-03 for a little while now, and they're OK - But I have to say that the highs are a little 'weak'.  I've never tried DR strings on anything before, so I would also like to try the 'Rares' I've been hearing about, as well.  See if I like them any better..

I'm normally not a big fan of 80/20's, but since this is a newer guitar for me, I'm putting a set of D'addario 80/20 Bronze strings on it next - I'll let you know what I think.  You never know when it comes to a new guitar..

Here's what I'm planning on trying over the next several months, in addition to the ones mentioned:
'Guitar Gallery Custom' PB (Newtone private-label sold at Guit Gallery)
GHS Vintage Bronze
Martin SP
John Pearse PB
Elixer Nanowebs

....it's a sickness, I know.. 

And I'd love to hear what you settle on!

Regards,
Scope

[Denis]

Hi,

I've had a set of DR "pre alloy" (I have no idea what that means  ) 12-54s on my L-03 for a little while now, and they're OK - But I have to say that the highs are a little 'weak'.  I've never tried DR strings on anything before, so I would also like to try the 'Rares' I've been hearing about, as well.  See if I like them any better..

I'm normally not a big fan of 80/20's, but since this is a newer guitar for me, I'm putting a set of D'addario 80/20 Bronze strings on it next - I'll let you know what I think.  You never know when it comes to a new guitar..

Here's what I'm planning on trying over the next several months, in addition to the ones mentioned:
'Guitar Gallery Custom' PB (Newtone private-label sold at Guit Gallery)
GHS Vintage Bronze
Martin SP
John Pearse PB
Elixer Nanowebs

....it's a sickness, I know.. 

And I'd love to hear what you settle on!

Regards,
Scope

Other than the Cleartones my L-03 came with, the only strings I've ever used on my L-03 are plain old, uncoated D'Addario 80/20's.  Mediums at first and then recently I switched to lights just to see if it was easier on the fingers at the end of gigs.  I like the lights a lot now that I've adjusted the truss rod.  I'll be using them from now on.

[canoe65]

When I bought my Larrivée L-03 last summer at Long & McQuade, I had them replace the Cleartones with Elixir Light gauge Polyweb strings before I took it out of the store.

I definitely prefer the smooth feel and sound of Elixir strings, rather than the 'sticky' feel of the Cleartones.

I've been using Elixir strings on all my previous guitars going back about five years now.   

[moga]

John Pearse PB fits my C-9 K guitar..

i bought Exlier PB..and will put on tonight..

[sfumato]

I think I'm the only person who uses these, but I really like the Martin SP+ coated 80/20s in the medium gauge.  They have a great rich sound and hold up longer than the regular SPs, but don't feel coated or plastic-y.  The bronzing of the high E and B strings is also nice and seems to help them last longer than plain steels for me.