Advice for acousting strings

[greekdude]

Good morning,
I have a Yamaha APX 500, and will play in a celebration (without amplifier) with a violinist, a tabor player and a children's choir. Now I have Daddario Gypsy Jazz , and while it is nice for shredding type playing, I do not like really neither the feel of them nor the sound, while the low E sounds dull as beneath a blanket, or as if I mute it.
I would like to ask you for advice in relation to the type of strings to get. Not a problem to get a heavy set, only for the occasion, and then comeback again to something more shredy.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Advice for acousting strings

Get a set made with 80/20 Bronze. It's a brighter blend of metals so you'll have an inherently brighter tone with those strings. I also believe you're using a nylon string set on a steel string guitar. I don't know how that would sound, but I think that may be your problem.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Advice for acousting strings

Don't really know how to steer ya on this one–the APX500 is a thin acoustic with a Spruce top and Nato (Mahogany substitute) sides, back and neck with a Rosewood fretboard. Typically, I would recommend D'Addario or Ernie Ball Phosphorous Bronze strings...but I have never owned a thin acoustic nor one with Nato wood.

I'm thinking a set of Elixirs is probably the best thing here...hopefully others will chime in as well. Best of luck!

 

[greekdude]

Re: Advice for acousting strings

Get a set made with 80/20 Bronze. It's a brighter blend of metals so you'll have an inherently brighter tone with those strings. I also believe you're using a nylon string set on a steel string guitar. I don't know how that would sound, but I think that may be your problem.

Thanx man. Those strings I have are for traditional Gypsy Jazz : http://www.daddario.com/DADProductD...name=EJ84L_Gypsy_Jazz__Loop_End__Light__10_44 , they are sliver-plated copper, not nylon.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Advice for acousting strings

Don't really know how to steer ya on this one–the APX500 is a thin acoustic with a Spruce top and Nato (Mahogany substitute) sides, back and neck with a Rosewood fretboard. Typically, I would recommend D'Addario or Ernie Ball Phosphorous Bronze strings...but I have never owned a thin acoustic nor one with Nato wood.

I'm thinking a set of Elixirs is probably the best thing here...hopefully others will chime in as well. Best of luck!

Thanx, that's what I did. I got those : http://www.daddario.com/DADProductD...ame=EJ26_Phosphor_Bronze__Custom_Light__11_52 Will test them tonight and let you know how I like them.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Advice for acousting strings

Thanx, that's what I did. I got those : http://www.daddario.com/DADProductD...ame=EJ26_Phosphor_Bronze__Custom_Light__11_52 Will test them tonight and let you know how I like them.

Sweetness! I hope you like them! To me, they are a great balance between warm and bright–they ring out but are not plinky and harsh. Only concern I would have is the thin body–I've only used these on Dreadnoughts and Jumbos.

I hope they work!

 

[greekdude]

Re: Advice for acousting strings

Hey, put them on couple of hours ago. Much louder, very good sounding, nice touch, feel. thanx Treyhaislip. With a thinner pick than I was using with the previous "gypsy jazz" setup, I can also play fast as well. The gypsy jazz strings were really bad on this guitar, I had put them for the sake of experimentation. With the new ones it can truly sing!

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Advice for acousting strings

Hey, put them on couple of hours ago. Much louder, very good sounding, nice touch, feel. thanx Treyhaislip. With a thinner pick than I was using with the previous "gypsy jazz" setup, I can also play fast as well. The gypsy jazz strings were really bad on this guitar, I had put them for the sake of experimentation. With the new ones it can truly sing!

Awesome! Glad you like them! :headbang:

I would recommend you wipe them down after every time you play (in case you don't do that) and they should last a good while.

Enjoy man, glad they worked for you!

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Advice for acousting strings

I really like those D'Addario Phosphor Bronze strings, they are my favorite "standard" strings. The great thing about those strings is that even if you want to try a new gauge, they are only $5.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Advice for acousting strings

Do you guys prefer 11 or 12 gauge? I think 11 are better for fast playing.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Advice for acousting strings

Do you guys prefer 11 or 12 gauge? I think 11 are better for fast playing.

I prefer 11s personally A nice thickness and not too hard to on the fingers

I knew a guy who used 13 gauge acoustic strings–sounded SO VERY good but was hard to play his guitar.

 

[Liko]

Re: Advice for acousting strings

I prefer 11s personally A nice thickness and not too hard to on the fingers

I knew a guy who used 13 gauge acoustic strings–sounded SO VERY good but was hard to play his guitar.

I split the difference with light-mediums; 12-16-24-35-45-56. Works very well for me on my Taylor GA-style, the extra mass and tension in the bass helps to really drive that top without compromising the basic feel of a light set.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Advice for acousting strings

I split the difference with light-mediums; 12-16-24-35-45-56. Works very well for me on my Taylor GA-style, the extra mass and tension in the bass helps to really drive that top without compromising the basic feel of a light set.

That is a cool idea!

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Advice for acousting strings

Do you guys prefer 11 or 12 gauge? I think 11 are better for fast playing.

I use 13's on my Martin dreadnaught and 12s on my brother's Fender dreadnaught. I find the tone more full and the guitar more responsive with heavier strings. Of course, the guitar will need a setup when moving up in string gauge. Bending will be more difficult, but fretting should only require a slight adjustment period if the guitar is well setup.

I'm not familiar with your instrument, I'd check to see what the manufacturer recommend gauge would be, 13s may be too heavy for your specific instrument.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Advice for acousting strings

Currently (with those 11's) I have the relief almost to zero, and action height at 12th fret as Low E 2.1mm, high E 1.5mm, and still feel this is not so easy for fast soloing up higher the fretboard.
As a neck, I think it can take 12's without problem, but wouldn't risk 13's.

I have another question tho, I have the saddle as low as it can go, and relief about zero as I wrote above. However I have no buzz at all and would like to try even lower action. Would that require modification of the bridge? I am very familiar with electric guitar mods and repairs of all kinds, nut not so with acoustics.