Luxe by MARTIN

The 3rd string broke while jamming. I was shocked, been better if ing these strings for years, that s is the full that time a string broke in just weeks, usually they last about 4-6 months.

They do not sound like phosphor bronze strings, but they do sound nice both acoustic and plugged in. And they last and don't need to be changed. Put them on in August, and they still sound and feel the same playing in February. I would have had to change phosphor bronze many times over. If you don't like coated strings and need/want to not change strings frequently, these are it.

I bought these strings because the phosphor bronze strings blacken my fingers and I can taste metal after a short practice session. Titanium as you may not know, is used in replacement parts in the Human body, hips, knees and pins. because it doesn't react with Human fluids.. Also, Raw Titanium is a 6 on the MoHs hardness scale and is as hard as soft steel with about half of the mass. Titanium as drawn wire is not expensive and can be purchased to be used as strings on the Web. Also as wire as it crystallizes it forms a six sided wire. Imagine then my disappointment to learn that the 'B' and higher 'E' string are only steel.I found the strings to be somewhat muted compared to Phosphor Bronze as to the sound produced on my Martin acoustic guitar. In spite of this, the sound sis not consistent across the higher neck scale. The 10 thru 13th fret on the E string had the same G note In short order the E string broke. When I went back to nickel wrapped strings they did not do this. I found the sustain on a note to be less than the Phosphor strings and is suited to relatively fast playing. The strings are listed as 'light', but they are heavy in their thickness, your finger tips had better be 'worn in' or you will feel it after a longer practice. I did notice some blackening on my fingers after a first use. All this being said, I don't know why a 6-7 dollar set of Ernie Ball nickel wrapped strings wouldn't be as suitable. In general I am disappointed. I will see how they hold up to both my skin and skin oil type and how long they last compared to other strings. After some use I will make an update to my eval. At this time I cannot justify buying them because of the general $40 dollar cost.Update: The high E and D string broke with only moderate playing. Also when it broke it was not being played and had not been played for maybe half an hour. I hate it but I am going to go back to the old blacken the fingers type of strings. I feel these strings are barely adequate. This has earned them a solid 1 star rating both for the expense and their failure.

I have used no strings that compare. Absolutely no question. The very best string. BUT, and this is very important, do NOT order them from Amazon. I don't know why. But EVERY SINGLE pack I've ordered from Amazon has contained ONE string that is a total dud. When I order from Martin, every string is good. And these strings are, in my opinion, the very best. It's like you have a better guitar in your hands. These strings and a Blue Chip pick... You are SET.

Emphasizing what others have said: These strings break a lot. On my second set, the high E string slipped (without a luthier's knot) but I was able to rewind the stub on the post with some difficulty. Then, the winding on the A string pulled apart while tuning it up slowly from D and this set only had a few weeks use on them. On the previous set, the high E and B strings both broke after 8 months use within a week of each other which was acceptable to me but seemed weird b/c I hadn't been banging on them and they still sounded good. 2 weeks later, the high E broke when tuning down to D!? Since I like alternative guitar tunings, these strings are probably not for me although they easily sound the best on my dreadnaught. Next set, G string came apart while bending. Finger style guitar playing might be best use.Don't use a luthier's knot, as shown below, with these strings. Martin now has a diagram on the string envelopes which shows the string simply wound over itself in one direction around the peg without either a luthier's knot or a top wrap pinching the string on the lower wraps. I didn't find any additional info from Martin on this issue which is surprising given the number of complaints of broken strings and the cost for this set. I add an extra wrap or two instead of the normal two or three wraps just for more security and no problems. Besides the increased bass, volume, tone and brightness, the nickel wrap doesn't line the "rivers" on my finger tips like bronze strings do which I hope means its not deteriorating and I don't have to use a finger brush to clean my calluses. I also liked Thomastik-Infeld AC112 strings for tone and durability but pricey and usually play Martin Marquis which are not as durable.

This is the most expensive set of strings I have purchased to date. They cost about twice as much as any other and I have been purchasing string sets for about 20 years. I bought them because of the non-oxydising claims. They sound good and are light. The problem for me is that out of nowhere the G string started sounding flat as if it were muffled. No resonance. When I inspected it more closely, I noticed it has started unwinding. The titanium core is fine so the string is not broken, however the wrapping which surrounds the core is actually nickel and it has started unwrapping and causing this string to sound dead. This has NEVER happened before with any other strings I have used so I'm surprised that it would happen to the most expensive set for me.I don't know if this is wide-spread so it may not happen to you, but it might. Be aware.I plan on contacting Martin and hopefully they can help. I will update once that happens.

Why did you pick this product vs others?:The strings sound very good. But they are a little tough on your fingers

Round core wound strings require tuning to pitch and a right angle bend before cutting. The strings that are reported to have gone dead could have been improperly cut.