Martin designs their strings as they design their guitars — with maximum performance, exacting tone, and playability in mind. C.F. Martin and Company knows what guitar players need and demand. After all, they’ve been interacting with musicians for almost 200 years. Martin strings are designed to give you excellent tone, clarity, and response. Whether you play live or are recording in the studio, Martin strings will give you maximum string life and a clear, rich, and detailed sound.
All Martin strings are manufactured using the finest materials and most dependable processes to consistently produce a quality string. From old-school Monel steel strings to today’s coated and extended-life strings, Martin has you covered.
Understanding String Materials
80/20 Bronze
80/20 Bronze strings use an 80% copper/20% zinc material for the string’s wire wrap. This type of string tends to offer rich lows, bright highs, and articulate sound. 80/20 strings “break in” faster than other strings.
92/8 Phosphor Bronze
92/8 Phosphor Bronze strings use a 92% copper/8% tin material for the string’s wire wrap. They offer a brilliant, full tone, but they are not as bright as 80/20 Bronze strings. They will also hold their original tone longer than 80/20 Bronze strings.
Silk and Steel
Martin’s Silk and Steel strings use a round core that has a soft wrap and then a silver-plated copper outer wrap. These strings are easy on the fingers and offer a subtle, soft tone.
Silk and Phosphor
Silk and Phosphor strings are similar to Silk and Steel, but have a brighter sound due to the phosphor bronze outer wrap.
Silk-wrapped
Silk-wrapped strings have their ball ends wrapped in silk to keep the string from coming into contact with your guitar’s bridge plate or end pins. Martin Marquis strings are silk wrapped.
Treated strings
Treated strings are dipped in a proprietary compound that adheres to the string without altering its feel or tone. This compound protects your string from dirt, grit, and other environmental elements, resulting in longer life.
String Line Overview
Acoustic Superior Performance
Made with bronze electroplated steel core wire and high-quality wrap wire, Martin Acoustic Superior Performance strings offer long-lasting tone and playability.
- Available in A92/8 Phosphor Bronze and 80/20 Bronze
Lifespan 2.0
Treated with a proprietary formula, Martin SP Lifespan strings repel dirt and oil and play like new, long after conventional strings wear out. Martin crafts these strings with bronze electroplated steel core wire and a custom wrapping technique for full, rich tone.
- Available in 92/8 Phosphor Bronze and 80/20 Bronze
Marquis
Martin Marquis strings give you the tone, clarity, and response you expect from a fine string. Marquis strings utilize a soft silk wrap by the ball end of the string to protect your guitar’s bridge from unwanted wear and tear.
- Available in 92/8 Phosphor Bronze, 80/20 Bronze, and Silk and Steel Folk
Flexible Core
Martin Flexible Core SP strings utilize an advanced thin wire core to increase flexibility and improve sustain without sacrificing tone, durability, or playability.
- Available in 92/8 Phosphor Bronze and Silk and Phosphor
Retro
Developed in conjunction with bluegrass guitar legend Tony Rice, Martin’s Retro strings are crafted from a long-lasting, proprietary nickel-based Monel alloy blend that delivers a warm vintage tone. Monel steel allows the natural woody sounds of your guitar to stand out.
- Available in Monel Steel
Signature Artist: Clapton’s Choice
Clapton’s Choice Phosphor Bronze guitar strings give you the signature acoustic tone favored by one of the world’s most iconic rock and blues artists. “When I play acoustic guitar, whether in a studio or onstage, these Martin strings are my choice,” says Eric Clapton. “They deliver the sound that I demand.”
- Available in 92/8 Phosphor Bronze
Your Playing Style
Fingerpicking
Fingerpickers prefer light (.012–.054) and custom-light (.011–.052) string gauges, as they are easier on the fretting and playing hand.
- Light (.012–.054)
- Custom-light (.011–.052)
Strumming
Players who strum often prefer medium (.013–.056) and light (.012–.054) string gauges. as they offer more volume and a stiffer feel.
- Medium (.013–.056)
- Light (.012–.054)
Tone Chart
| String Material | Tone |
| 80/20 Bronze | Bright with rich lows |
| 92/8 Phosphor Bronze | Brilliant, full tone |
| Silk and Steel | Subtle and soft |
| Silk and Phosphor | Soft and bright tone |
Wrap-up
Martin’s diverse offering of traditional and modern strings covers all playing styles and music genres. From fingerpickers to hard strummers to hybrid pickers, Martin has a string that is perfect for your acoustic guitar. Experiment with different styles and gauges to see which string best suits your playing style. At Sweetwater, we’re sure there’s a Martin string that will offer the tone, response, and feel you want.
