Martin SP Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar Strings
- reviewed by Todd Stuart Phillips 
The current direction in the development of strings for the acoustic guitar lies in two chief areas: longer lasting strings and those that are more flexible when at the same diameter as traditional strings. C.F. Martin & Co. has added a new variety to their extensive line of guitar strings designed to attain both of these goals, marketed under the tile of SP Fingerstyle.
For some years manufacturers have applied a great many new techniques and features to the outside wrappings of wound strings to prevent corrosion and prolong playing life. But coated strings have met with mixed response from guitar players. Many people just don't like how they sound. So Martin has also achieved this same goal though other means. Their SP Studio/Performance Series strings were developed around a new steel core with the help of "specialty steel producers." As such, Martin SP strings are designed to better resist breakage and the bronze plate finish prolongs tonal string life without having to apply non-metal coatings. Best of all, they sound great, with a full bodied ring that is bright but never shrill.
But these new SP Fingerstyle strings also feature a new overall design. The high-tensile core of each string is actually thinner than traditional strings and the difference in diameter is made up with thicker windings. This allows them to be more flexible which in theory should make them more responsive to subtle changes in finger pressure and make playing in general easier, requiring less work on the part of the player. The prevailing wisdom seeming to be that such strings would prove ideal for the fingerstylist. I must admit, as good as all this sounds, I was skeptical. I do play fingerstyle guitar and the last thing I thought I would want was a more flexible string which might not have enough tension when brought down a step or two for alternate tunings.
To be honest, Bruce Mariano at Martin gave me some of these strings when they were still doing test marketing. I did like the sound but also found them too waggley for my tastes; they just did not like dropped tunings. Well, the good folks at Maury's Music had the good sense to remember my playing preferences and when sending me sets to review made sure they were medium gauge. This has completely changed my opinion of Martin SP Fingerstyle strings.
I have spent years making custom string sets with a mixture of medium and light gauge strings. Lights never liked being dropped down a step or two. Mediums always felt too taught; the neck just did not like all that tension and the strings had no play in them when tuned to concert pitch. So I had to buy two sets and throw half of each away. Well, I just got done with another long session on my Martin OMC-28B with these medium gauge SP Fingerstyles and I could not be happier. They absolutely sing! They have the fat notes and full ringing sustain that draws me to mediums but are far less fatiguing to play. They are certainly more pliant and I can bend and waggle them around at will, but only when I want. Most important to me, I can tune various strings down a step or two without them getting too loose. The voice never loses its backbone from the strings not having enough tension but the neck does not seem like it is about to snap off from too much tension.
I am sure the light gauge would be ideal for more melodic fingerstyle playing and for basic, light strumming. But these medium gauge strings are robust and versatile, thanks to this new special steel that allows the cores to be thinner but not too thin for my heavy handed playing or alternate tunings.
I played Martin strings exclusively for years. Recently I began using various, exclusive brands costing up to twice the price of these SP Fingerstyles. I still wish Martin would offer a mixed set aimed directly at DADGAD and other alternate tunings and if these new Fingerstyle strings had the silk windings at the ball end like Martin Marquis strings do I would like them even more. But for the very reasonable price Martin SP Fingerstyle strings are a great value offering great tone and the latest in string flexibility technology.
Out of a possible 8 Notes on the T Spoon Scale of Guitaracity I give Martin SP Fingerstyle acoustic guitar strings pliant and singing 6 Notes.
TSP, NYC
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