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I picked up one of these about a year ago. For the best review on the model check out this post: - https://www.eastmanguitarfans.com/Thread...ull-Review
I have played this one quite frequently as well as using a Tone Traveler for a full day at least once/week. I have been trying different strings over the last year. It came with I believe D'Addario EJ-16 ( PB 12-54). The guitar was very lush, with a good base and a great deal of overtones. I next went to D'Addario Nickel Bronze 12-53. This seemed to tame the overtones and made for a much more direct tone(dryer?). Volume and bass were very good with a nice sparkle to the highs. In the past I have never liked nickel strings or Martin Monels, but on this guitar they really worked. Next up was a set of D'Addario NB Blue Grass - basically 12-56. I think they refer to them as Light Top/Medium Bottom. These made the guitar way too bass dominant and over powered the trebles. I went back to the standard nickel 12-53 with the next string change. Recently it was time for another change and I decided to try GHS Phosphor Bronze Lights (12-54). I have kind of settled on these for rosewood guitars.
Here's the conundrum - I like the balance with a little rosewood scoop, very strong bass, sparkling trebles but the overtones are over powering. Some chords sound down right angelic - especially maj & sus chords - Amaj, C/Gmaj, Asus2, Dsus2, etc. But quite often it is too much. It sounds like all of the notes are fighting with each other and not complimenting the chords. So my questions: 1) Is this the nature of guitar with PB strings? 2) Is there a way to mitigate these overtones - pick attack, pick thickness, type? 3) Would letting the strings age or get old soften the overtones? I tend to prefer fresh strings.
Maybe the answer is to just go back to the NBs and call it a day. Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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