Like Talos the Giant from Jason & the Argonauts, most modern acoustic strings are made from bronze. Like him, they can be cruel and inflexible.
UPDATE: I’ve updated the audio examples to include 80/20 bronze strings, as detailed in this newer post.
Can I share my steel-string psychodrama?
I’m lucky enough to own many electric guitars, but I’ve played one steel-string acoustic almost exclusively for many years — a small-bodied Lowden with a tone that a very famous manufacturer of acoustic pickups once described as “like a f%^$ing cannon!” Its sizzling-bright treble and modest low-end make it a great recording instrument. (Engineers often boost highs and roll off lows when processing acoustic guitar, but this model is practically “pre-EQ’ed.”)
But it’s not an easy guitar to play. It seems to amplify string noise, flubbed notes, and all other playing imperfections. “This is a ‘tough love’ guitar,” muttered one singer/songwriter friend.
So when I bought a second steel-string recently, I wanted something warmer, softer, and more flattering, and I found it in a pretty old small-bodied Martin. The day I bought it, I restrung it with treble strings to record my recent Nashville high-strung demo, then popped on a set of the phosphor-bronze strings I’ve been using for years on the Lowden.
And I was seriously bummed out by the tone, as I lamented over at the forum.
The problem was, my sweet, soft antique suddenly sounded a hell of a lot like the Lowden, with blistering treble and cruel string noise. And I realized in a flash that a lot of the qualities I’d attributed to the Lowden were, in fact, a result of the modern, coated phosphor bronze string I’d been using. So I ordered some alternatives and made a few test recordings to demonstrate how dramatic the differences are.
Have a listen:
I played two short on the same guitar, first with coated phosphor-bronze strings, and then with uncoated nickel-wrapped ones. I’m not going to mention the brand names, because both are respected brands, and to be honest, the differences I detect have everything to do with their composition, and little do with who fabricated them. (Discussing string brands is often a dubious proposition. You should be aware that there are far more string brands than there are string manufacturers. Most of the larger facilities actually make string for other companies under other names.)
Some observations: The phosphor-bronze strings are much louder and brighter, with higher highs and lower lows. They have a glistening, “modern” sound that I don’t especially love on this old, well-loved guitar. They feel sleek to the fingers, and they impart a great feeling of mass. Despite my bitching, it’s easy to understand why they’re so popular!
Meanwhile, the nickel-wrapped strings are sweeter and quieter. Compared to the coated strings, they have a softer, less “metallic” feel on the fingers. Even though the gauges are comparable, they seem lighter — there seems to be less tension, and it’s much easier to bend them. I like their more humble sound, and I sure don’t miss that pumped-up treble (a quality perfectly described in the forum thread by Bear as “a weird zing that rides shotgun on the wound strings”). The looser feel can be more expressive. (It wasn’t a conscious decision to noodle around a lot more on the nickel performance — the strings made me do it!) But man. you just can’t whack those low notes they way you can with bronze-based strings — they just sort of crap out when played aggressively.
So which do I like better? Neither! I’m still searching. 
Obviously, this is nothing like a comprehensive comparison — I just picked two string types at opposite ends of the tonal spectrum. I’m going to keep experimenting with various alternatives, and I’ll keep you posted. Meanwhile, I’d be most appreciative if anyone who’s navigated these waters can share what they’ve learned. Can anyone give me a clue?
In the meantime: Here is a great Guitar Player article by my pal Barry Cleveland. The focus is on electric guitar strings, but it’s a fascinating story about the rise and fall of nickel strings.
P.S.: Thanks to Steve Gillette for composing “Darcy Farrow,” the pretty song I played in the first two demo clips. I’ve loved it every since Steve performed it at my high school back in the late Triassic many years ago. It’s been recorded by Ian & Sylvia, Townes Van Zandt, Nanci Griffith, John Denver, and many other artists, but I like Steve’s version best. 
Pretty much always used bronze on acoustics, nickel on electrics.Friend used to use these weird copper strings wasn’t much difference really.Finding new strings is a pita and expensive.
Did you always use nickel on electrics? Or did you “go retro” at some point?
I’ve got a bunch of nickel electric strings here — I’m probably going to do a stainless steel vs. nickel comparison post soon.
Never really did anything retro ever but I have used random strings that showed up to try out.Seems like all strings have good and bad points to them and you just have to pick your poison.Have been using Cleartones for a couple years now but for the most part used D’Addarios because they are cheap.And yeah , all strings are made at the same 3 or 4 plants.I will be going down to the weird studio soon so I will check out some different strings there.(Some people actually collect things like oddball strings)
If I recall, your Martin is a 00 mahogany body. I’m not a fan of heavy gauge strings on small bodied guitars. They seem to over power the sound spectrum and make everything seem all mixed up. My main acoustic right not is a Martin OMC with cherry back/sides and a sitka top. I use Martin Medium gauge Lifespans. I’m not so sure if the material of string makes as much difference as the gauge of string. YOu discuss the material but you don’t reference the gauge.
Since I don’t know what gauge you are using, I’d hesitate in telling you to up the pressure on that very old neck but you might have better luck with a hybrid gauge where the low E, A and D are slightly larger in size while retaining the same gauge G,B and High E gauges. This will slightly boost the lower frequency notes while retaining clarity in your higher register notes.
Personally, I prefer brass-wound strings, and have been using them on my acoustics since 1972. Currently, they are on a Martin D35(1970), a Gibson J-50(1965), and a recently purchased Regal resonator (year unknown). They are bright, to be sure, but I can’t see ever switching back to phosphor-bronze. Being an old-timer who is very much set in his ways, I use Regular Slinkys on my electrics, because they still sound good to me.
Personally, I prefer brass-wound strings, and have been using them on my acoustics since 1972. Currently, they are on a Martin D35 (1970), a Gibson J-50 (1965), and a recently purchased Regal resonator (year unknown). They are bright, to be sure, but I can’t see ever switching back to phosphor-bronze. Being an old-timer, I use Regular Slinkys on my electrics, because they still sound good to me.
Man, sweet playing. Nothing to do about it – Bronze sounds better.
Hi-here’s one for you. My main stage guitar is Brook Taw (similar size to a 000 and made in Devon UK). I have a Highlander IP1 under saddle system for the amplified acoustic sound. However, a friend recently gave me a De Armond soundhole magnetic pickup. The Highlander goes into an AER Compact 60, the De Armond into a Fender Blues Junior. The De Armond will only respond to nickel wound strings, which I don’t particularly like, having been used to D’Addario 12-53 phosphor bronze. I have been reliably informed that a hybrid set is available, using a combination of bronze AND nickel. Anybody out there know the name of the company producing them? Thanks Roger
D’Addario NB1253 @ your gauge. They also do NB1256 – light high, medium low. I’ve got a Yamaha APX500III with under saddle piezo pickup/ system 66 preamp, with an oval shaped sound hole to emphasize the low-mid/ low end. It came with phosphor bronze 1253’s which were ok; but anyway, I switched to the D’Addario’s and moved to NB1256’s since the nickel takes away just a bit of volume/ bite, unplugged. Couldn’t be happier. The nickel bronze at the same gauge as the phosphor bronze feels lighter and they bend more as well. Plus a smoother feel. The heavier low strings sharpened up the low mid’s and low resonance. D’Addario sells them @ about 12 bucks. I highly recommend em no matter what gauge you prefer.
DR Zebra strings – https://www.drstrings.com/#!zebra/c1dry
I wanna hear the comparison… where are they? hi JOE!
[…] probado el níquel en una acústica, así que no puedo decir nada, pero deberías probar las tres. tonefiend.com/acoustic/acoustic-strings-bronze-vs-nickel – > Por […]
I can see where my comments might be a problem.
I can tell you the best place for bronze strings, on the Electric Bass. Holy Crap these things are great on a Bass! Great bottom, nice mid-range and a brite treble. Love them.
Huh — now I’m curious! Got any recording to share?