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Authentic Acoustic | Understanding our new string lineupplay button

Authentic Acoustic | Understanding our new string lineup

Martin

collapse expand iconDescription

The Martin MA540 SP Phosphor Bronze Light Authentic Acoustic guitar strings, superior performance strings engineered with the performer in mind and always stand up to rigorous practice and performance schedules. Martin starts with their highest tensile-strength core wire, then tin-plates it on all six strings for added corrosion resistance; because what you don't see matters. When coupled with the highest quality wrap wire you get consistent true tone that you can count on song after song.

Phosphor Bronze Wrap for Warm, Rich Tone

The MA540 SP features Martin's proprietary 92/8 phosphor bronze wrap wire. Phosphor bronze produces a warm, rich tone that mellows with age and use. The phosphor in the alloy helps protect the string from tarnish and corrosion, ensuring long life and consistent performance. The light gauge—.012-.054—is a versatile size well-suited to many playing styles.

Tin-Plated High-Tensile Core

At the heart of the MA540 SP are Martin's tin-plated high-tensile core wires. The tin plating prevents corrosion while the high-tensile wire provides maximum string stability under tension. Together they enable crisp tone, tuning stability, and long string life.

Handmade for Superior Quality

Like all Martin strings, the MA540 SP are handmade to the highest standards of quality. Martin's string makers have been crafting the finest acoustic guitar strings for over 180 years. Their time-tested methods and obsessive attention to detail result in strings that inspire the world's most discerning musicians.

Versatile and Road-Tested

The Martin MA540 SP Phosphor Bronze Light strings are a versatile, road-tested choice for players of many styles. Their warm and balanced tone works equally well for strumming, flatpicking, and fingerpicking. And their corrosion-resistant phosphor bronze wrap and tin-plated core stand up well to heavy use and sweaty stage conditions. For acoustic tone and performance you can rely on, choose Martin MA540 SP strings.

Martin MA540 SP Phosphor Bronze Light Authentic Acoustic Guitar Strings
Martin MA540 SP Phosphor Bronze Light Authentic Acoustic Guitar Strings

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Excellent tune stability
  • Engineered to resist corrosion
  • Great playability

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.72

32 Reviews

96%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Most Liked Positive Review

5

A new favorite

I think I have a new favorite string. And my old one has been Martin SP series. I just put these on, so I can't review the life of the string, or the life of the effect I'm about to say. There's something about this formulation that I like with the PB tone. I've always been a PB-type string lover for the mello overtones they bring. But this formulation features the top-end of the note envelope rather than blend it in with the rest of the sound, if that makes any sense. We'll see how long this feature lasts, but so far, I'm inclined to buy these in bulk, 'cause they are very pleasing to my ear. This feature makes each string stand out rather than blend in to all the other notes of a chord.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

2

Never again

Me and my friend both accidentally bought these strings instead of the 80/20 ones, and boy was it a mistake. These strings are awful, they offer such a bland tone and the B and high E string buzz between the tuning peg and the nut ON BOTH OF OUR GUITARS. Will never be buying these again, the 80/20 are much better.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Practicing22
  2. Concerts12
  3. Back-Up5
  4. playing at home, with friends or groups1
  5. performance1
Cons
  1. None2
  2. Poor Tone Quality1
  3. Too mellow in upper and lower range1
  4. Too new to rate at this time for poor qualities1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced20
  2. Novice5
  3. Professional Musician4
Pros
  1. Good Tone28
  2. Consistent23
  3. Long Life14
  4. Well Built / Quality10
  5. playability1
  • Yes

    4

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted2 months ago

    byKim

    fromHouston, TX

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    no complaints; they're, perhaps, a little better than D'Addario……my guitar is a 2004 Taylor 714

  • My Martin sounds great again

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted5 months ago

    byDouglas

    fromChesapeake, VA

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I a seasoned player and had my GPC16E for a couple years and exclusively use Martin PB strings .. They always make my guitar sound new and the feel is awesome.

  • Best strings for my Hummingbird

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byMichael

    fromWinter Park

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Sound great on my guitar

  • very reliable quality

    4

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byKim

    fromHouston, TX Willowbrook

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    see above……no negatives, imo

  • I purchase this product regularly very happy with them

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byDan

    fromWest Palm Beach Florida

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    These are very good guitar strings I use them on several instruments

  • Really was impressed with these

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byScott

    fromMerrillville, Indiana

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    My Daughter broke a string and had a tryout that afternoon. Went to our local GC and they didnt have the brand we normally would use. I bought these and took them home and wow, great tone, and my daughter really liked them. I am sure we will be purchasing some more.

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