Question 1

What are these strings coated with? Leaves black greasy residue on my fingers & causes indentations in fingers with black stuff inside.

Accepted Answer

That's your skin. Not the strings
Instead of the strings absorbing dirt and oil, it's building up on your fingers. Or it's your ph reacting to the bronze. Which happens with a million different strings. Has absolutely nothing to do with the treatment. Also indentations? That just doesn't make any sense. I'm sorry. All phosphor is they same. Some harder than other, but these are actually smoother than most. So I'm not sure what you mean by indentations.

Question 2

Ma540t, ht: what does ht stand for?

Accepted Answer

Hello there,  This stands for Heat Treated this help the longevity of the life of the strings. Hope this helps.

Question 3

What is the difference between light, custom light, etc? I just receivrd my new Martin acoustic snd want to get a spare identical pair.

Accepted Answer

The custom light strings are a bit smaller in diameter than the  light as shown below, per martin specs.   Actually, there is an even lighter gauge called extra light.  I like using the extra light for finger picking. I'll list all three categories.  The gauges are listed starting with the 1st string (small E) etc.  I won't bother to list the medium gauge strings.

Extra light:        .010 .014 .023 .030 .039 .047
Custom light:    .011 .015 .023 .032 .042 .052
Light:                 .012 .016 .025 .032 .042 .054

The strings you mention being light gauge 92/8 Phosphor Bronze, model MA140S. The Phosphor Bronze type are much better than the cheaper 80/20 Bronze.  Martin sells both types with all different gauges, but they ship most of their guitars with the 92/8 Phosphor Bronze.  Stay with them.  If you are using your guitar for your own enjoyment you might try using the extra light in 92/8 Phosphor Bronze type.  Works good for me.  They are listed as model MA170S

Question 4

Do you like this item?

Accepted Answer

These are the strings that came on my D35.  I throught - "I bet other strings would sound even better..."  They didnt!  I tried Elixir nanoweb, Daddario EXP and Daddario regular PhosBronze acoustic, and Cleartone - in the end I went back to the Martin strings because they REALLY sounded much better - so much so that I took the other sets off my guitar while they were still new to get back to the Martin string tone.  THey last long for me - and even when they start to sound dull - their dull sound is still very good and I end up using them longer than Elixirs

Product Dimensions	11.43 x 14.61 x 13.97 cm; 27.22 g
Item model number	41Y18MA550T
Colour	Lifespan 2.0 Phosphor Bronze Medium 13-56
String Gauge	Medium
String Material	Phosphor Bronze
Number of Strings	6
Material Type	Phosphor Bronze
Size	Medium ( 13-56 )
Item Weight	27.2 g

Martin MA550T Authentic Acoustic - LifeSpan 2.0 - Phosphor Bronze Medium( 13-56 )

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