The grain on the top is very widely spaced, suggesting Adirondack versus the documented Sitka spruce and there is plenty of top movement ability. The wound strings almost feel rusty, like old, rough strings. For someone like myself who should change their strings once a month that is a savings of $36/year, plus with the increased tonal longevity you might even be able to get by with changing every 6-8 weeks depending on how long you play. It now sounds dull and lifeless. It has been literally over a decade since I have broken a string while playing so, I am not even going to speak to that. However, after using these strings, I have decided that they are not for me. Thanks, Martin Guitar for the free sample! Thank you for your request. The wound strings are very noisy when sliding between notes. The only drawback is the price. The strings literally felt identical in tension and elasticity to the one and half month old strings on my guitar. The Lifespan 2.0 strings also have less “string talk” than the standard strings I have used, but just enough to make them feel/sound authentic as you are sliding up and down the fretboard. When playing softly, the squeak made by sliding is very distracting. I was told about these strings by a friend who uses them on all of his acoustics, and he plays a lot. The initial attack of the top end might be a bit less than when they were brand new but I am willing to go on the record here and say that I have never played a “good sounding” guitar string that has been more consistent through the life of the string than these Lifespan 2.0s. Martin sent us the new Re-inspired D28 and D18 guitars to demo and review and they came strung with the Lifespan 2.0s in the same gauge I had on my guitar. To be completely honest, sub-consciously I was thinking, okay we get it, you make strings but let’s see the guitars. I never had a problem before on my Martin 000C-GTE. Both the attention to detail they put into their guitars as well has how they conduct business, the company oozes pure class. I am sold. As I was putting these on my 5 year old Martin, the G string snapped. Martin has been partnering with Worship Guitar Magazine for the past two years and while we absolutely love their guitars, I personally haven’t been able to use their strings. As a "Beta-Tester for these I must say they are pretty much everything Martin says they are. I know this guitar reasonably well. I would only recommend them for soft fingerstyle. Good playability. I was told about these strings, by another guitarist. I played these exclusively for about three years until Elixir’s invention of the Nanoweb coating. When I say longevity, I mean the time it takes for the strings to loose their bite, their sparkle. The wind over the titanium core of the G string started coming apart about a week after playing them. Now is the perfect time to get the gear you want with simple, promotional financing. Not only are they more punchy with increased clarity, but they have a fantastic low end to them. I just purchased another set from Sweetwater for my CEO-7. It"s much louder than other strings I have used. In summary. I use an LR Baggs M1A soundhole pickup through a Fishman ToneDEQ preamp. Phone Hours | I told the Manager, that I was interested in the guitar and he agreed to let me try it out for a couple of days and if I was not happy could return it. Sound good playing staight acoustic, a bit stiff. Martin Authentic Acoustic Lifespan® 2.0 strings offer next generation treatment for long life, great playability and feel, and superior reliability with authentic tone.MartinGuitar.com, Your email address will not be published. I ordered a set of the titanium core strings for my OM28E Retro and when I strummed my first chord I was completely blown away!! I do notice that my other acoustics, strung more traditionally, are louder and boomier. Out of these three, Cleartone has had the least longevity. Elixir has been doing this for years, and I don’t care what anyone says, coated strings sound different than non-coated strings. They made a great guitar sound thin and tinny! From the famed house of Martin Guitars, these are undoubtedly one of the best acoustic guitar strings that money could buy. So, although they didn't work out for me, they could very easily be the best strings ever, for someone else (if you have soft hands or think you'd like that mushy feel). I was also a beta user and Wow is all I can say I put these on my Martin D-16E and they are absolutely amazing well worth the money they stay in tune so well and sound awesome will be getting some for my D35 and D18. Everything you love about Sweetwater in the palm of your hand. I purchased a set of Martin Titanium Core strings (Not from Sweetwater) and have been playing them for about a month now. If it ain't broke don't fix it I guess. Parenthetically, I did not notice any great difference in the tone or other characteristics of these very expensive strings - have switched back to my Martin LifeSpan or Elixirs. Not to me, but the strings on it, D’Addario somethings had reached the level of dead. Sound nice. The plain strings sounded terribly thin when using the electronics. After several hours, I am looking forward to getting the Mangan strings that I ordered for my Gibson L4C arch top. To learn more about our cookie policy, please check our Privacy Policy. Meaning, she has a few life marks on her. Nah...not for me, Had them on for two days. The strings that I selected were the Martin Retro Acoustic Monel series 12-54. Well, I should say that the core didn't break, but the wrap wire broke, rendering the string unusable. I put my first set of Titanium strings on my D-28 Martin Marquis a year ago. The ridges on the wound strings are very rough and create a lot of friction when sliding up and down the neck. Highly recommended. They had a, dare I say it, Authentic feel. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Everyone loves new strings and everyone hates old strings so the longer those strings retain their tonal characteristics the better. It's possible that the chemical makeup of the sweat from my fingers is not compatible with these, but after only about 5 hours total playing time, the 3 low strings lost their responsiveness and the nice warm sound was dead. A Sweetwater Sales Engineer will get back to you shortly. While I have been playing Elixir Nanoweb strings exclusively for nearly a decade now, I am sold. I ordered a set of these strings when they first became available thinking that the reviews sounded very good. The strings while consistent through the life of the string, were always dead sounding.