LIFESPAN STRINGS | Next generation Martin® Authentic Acoustic® Lifespan® 2.0 strings are engineered using a new, patented anti-corrosion treatment only available from Martin. It protects the core and wrap wire to prevent corrosion without compromising tone or feel. Our impeccable standards for acoustic guitar tone are embedded in our string design and precision manufacturing process. That’s why we make our own.
See the Difference of Lifespan Strings
The Corrosion Test
As sweat and oil build up over time, they corrode your strings, killing the tone. In the corrosion test, we put three leading brands up against our Lifespan 2.0 strings so you can see for yourself which ones resist corrosion the most.
Thomas Rhett Chooses Martin Strings
"I ask a lot from my guitar strings. They need to last and they need to sound great. That’s why all my acoustic guitars are strung with Martin Lifespan strings."
-Thomas Rhett
80/20 Bronze
Very bright sound which will mellow out as you play them.
Phosphor Bronze
Complex overtones in the higher frequencies and well-rounded sound that is clean and even.
String Gauges & Tension
| Gauge | E | B | G | D | A | E | Tension | Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80/20 Bronze | ||||||||
| Extra Light | .010 | .014 | .023 | .030 | .039 | .047 | 135.8 | MA170T |
| Custom Light | .011 | .015 | .023 | .032 | .042 | .052 | 153.7 | MA175T |
| Light | .012 | .016 | .025 | .032 | .042 | .054 | 167.3 | MA140T |
| Medium | .013 | .017 | .026 | .035 | .045 | .056 | 189.6 | MA150T |
| Extra Light 12-String | .010/.010 | .014/.014 | .023/.010 | .030/.012 | .039/.018 | .047/.027 | 261.7 | MA180T |
| 92/8 Phosphor Bronze | ||||||||
| Extra Light | .010 | .014 | .023 | .030 | .039 | .047 | 137.0 | MA530T |
| Custom Light | .011 | .015 | .023 | .032 | .042 | .052 | 155.1 | MA535T |
| Light | .012 | .016 | .025 | .032 | .042 | .054 | 168.5 | MA540T |
| Light/Medium | .0125 | .0165 | .0255 | .0335 | .0435 | .055 | 179.3 | MA545T |
| Medium | .013 | .017 | .026 | .035 | .045 | .056 | 190.9 | MA550T |
| Extra Light 12-String | .010/.010 | .014/.014 | .023/.010 | .030/.012 | .039/.018 | .047/.027 | 263.3 | MA500T |
| 80/20 Bronze | |||||||
| EL | CL | L | M | EL12 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | .010 | .011 | .012 | .013 | .010/ .010 |
||
| B | .014 | .015 | .016 | .017 | .014/ .014 |
||
| G | .023 | .023 | .025 | .026 | .023/ .010 |
||
| D | .030 | .032 | .032 | .035 | .030/ .012 |
||
| A | .039 | .042 | .042 | .045 | .039/ .018 |
||
| E | .047 | .052 | .054 | .056 | .047/ .027 |
||
| T | 135.8 | 153.7 | 167.3 | 189.6 | 261.7 | ||
| 92/8 Phosphor Bronze | ||||||
| EL | CL | L | M | EL12 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | .010 | .011 | .012 | .013 | .010/ .010 |
|
| B | .014 | .015 | .016 | .017 | .014/ .014 |
|
| G | .023 | .023 | .025 | .026 | .023/ .010 |
|
| D | .030 | .032 | .032 | .035 | .030/ .012 |
|
| A | .039 | .042 | .042 | .045 | .039/ .018 |
|
| E | .047 | .052 | .054 | .056 | .047/ .027 |
|
| T | 137.0 | 155.1 | 168.5 | 190.9 | 263.3 | |
| EL=Extra Light CL=Custom Light L=Light M=Medium EL12=Extra Light 12-String |