Light strings on an acoustic?
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ItsaBass
New member
Re: Light strings on an acoustic?
They sound 1000X better on an acoustic guitar than 10's, 11's, etc. I keep 13's at a minimum on all acoustics, because that is what pumps the best tone out of the guitars. (Those are considered mediums for acoustic guitar.) The exception is my 27 Martin, which requires Silk & Steels in order to stay put together.
They sound 1000X better on an acoustic guitar than 10's, 11's, etc. I keep 13's at a minimum on all acoustics, because that is what pumps the best tone out of the guitars. (Those are considered mediums for acoustic guitar.) The exception is my 27 Martin, which requires Silk & Steels in order to stay put together.
3'scompany
New member
Re: Light strings on an acoustic?
This, generally. I've used 12's on my acoustic with pretty good results. 13's can become a bit tiresome if you're trying to do bends, but I tune to D (not drop D), so its not really that big of an issue.
This, generally. I've used 12's on my acoustic with pretty good results. 13's can become a bit tiresome if you're trying to do bends, but I tune to D (not drop D), so its not really that big of an issue.
ItsaBass
New member
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Light strings on an acoustic?
99% of acoustic guitars sound like poop with light gauge strings on them...you need big strings and the tension that comes with them to drive the guitars to have a good tone and a decent volume...
99% of acoustic guitars sound like poop with light gauge strings on them...you need big strings and the tension that comes with them to drive the guitars to have a good tone and a decent volume...
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Light strings on an acoustic?
I think Taylor puts mediums on their x10 Dreads and x15 Jumbos and light gauge on everything else. I think Martin does the same. The bigger the top, the heavier the string you should use.
I use D'Addario mediumJ-17 phosphor bronze on most of my Martin Dreads, though I use the D'Addario hybrid Bluegrass gauge J-19 (medium bottom, light top) on two of them--my DC Aura and the MTV-1.
I switched from Elixirs mediums on my Taylor 710CE to D'Addario medium J-17 because the higher tension of the Elixirs made me break strings. No more broken strings since I made the switch.
My cheapie Ibanez Artwood AW50CENT has D'Addario light gauge--partly due to it's lesser construction and partly to have a guitar that is eassier to play when I have a to do a lot of lead work.
For me, the EXP strings are helpful, because they last a long time--good for me as I have so many guitars going through rotation.
Changing string gauges may require adjust met to the saddle height, the truss rod and the nut.
It all depends on your style, hand strength and of course, your ears.
Good luck!
Bill
I think Taylor puts mediums on their x10 Dreads and x15 Jumbos and light gauge on everything else. I think Martin does the same. The bigger the top, the heavier the string you should use.
I use D'Addario mediumJ-17 phosphor bronze on most of my Martin Dreads, though I use the D'Addario hybrid Bluegrass gauge J-19 (medium bottom, light top) on two of them--my DC Aura and the MTV-1.
I switched from Elixirs mediums on my Taylor 710CE to D'Addario medium J-17 because the higher tension of the Elixirs made me break strings. No more broken strings since I made the switch.
My cheapie Ibanez Artwood AW50CENT has D'Addario light gauge--partly due to it's lesser construction and partly to have a guitar that is eassier to play when I have a to do a lot of lead work.
For me, the EXP strings are helpful, because they last a long time--good for me as I have so many guitars going through rotation.
Changing string gauges may require adjust met to the saddle height, the truss rod and the nut.
It all depends on your style, hand strength and of course, your ears.
Good luck!
Bill
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Light strings on an acoustic?
Same with me. I rarely play in standard tuning and both E's are usually tuned to D. But even so, .013 is a little heavy for me. .012 feels right on both my dreadnaught and OM style guitars.
Same with me. I rarely play in standard tuning and both E's are usually tuned to D. But even so, .013 is a little heavy for me. .012 feels right on both my dreadnaught and OM style guitars.
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blueman335
Mojo's Minions
T
tonello
Guest
Re: Light strings on an acoustic?
I just use Dunlop 80/20 Bronze strings. I never solo while playing an acoustic.
I just use Dunlop 80/20 Bronze strings. I never solo while playing an acoustic.
StratFreak
New member
Re: Light strings on an acoustic?
I have an acoustic with 10-47's and i really like how bright and clear it is
VERY little adjustment from 12's
I have an acoustic with 10-47's and i really like how bright and clear it is
VERY little adjustment from 12's
Matt42
New member
Re: Light strings on an acoustic?
This. Thin strings sound dead on an acoustic to my ears. If you are plugged in, its not as big an issue, but I can go to a picking circle and tell almost immediately who is using thin strings.
This. Thin strings sound dead on an acoustic to my ears. If you are plugged in, its not as big an issue, but I can go to a picking circle and tell almost immediately who is using thin strings.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Light strings on an acoustic?
You guys need to keep in mind that most string makers name strings differently when they are for an acoustic or an electric...
Acoustic lights are most often 12's while acoustic mediums are 13's and those that offer extra lights give that label to 11's, very few companies make a set of 10's for acoustic guitars but those that do have a different name often something light "Super Light" and the rare set of acoustic heavy gauge most often start with a 14.
However in electric strings lights are often a 10 set, 11's are medium and heavy gauge is 12's and up while the extra/super light gauge strings are 9's, 8's and even smaller...
So if someone says I use light gauge strings on my Taylor or whatever they are not talking about 10's they are likely talking about 12's...
You guys need to keep in mind that most string makers name strings differently when they are for an acoustic or an electric...
Acoustic lights are most often 12's while acoustic mediums are 13's and those that offer extra lights give that label to 11's, very few companies make a set of 10's for acoustic guitars but those that do have a different name often something light "Super Light" and the rare set of acoustic heavy gauge most often start with a 14.
However in electric strings lights are often a 10 set, 11's are medium and heavy gauge is 12's and up while the extra/super light gauge strings are 9's, 8's and even smaller...
So if someone says I use light gauge strings on my Taylor or whatever they are not talking about 10's they are likely talking about 12's...
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Light strings on an acoustic?
Then why bother playing acoustic...
A flat top with super light gauge strings sound like your banging on a tin can and then you run that into an amp via a piezo pickup...that's got to be a terrible sound compared to an acoustic guitar with normal strings being played for real.
Extremely light acoustic guitar strings (like 10's) were developed for two reasons...there are some old (100+ year old) flat tops that simply can't take the tension of 12's and 13's due to their bracing but some of them are stout enough to be able to handle 10's while the others get string with some kind of silk and steel strings. The other reason is children so if you ain't playing a 120 year old guitar and you ain't a 6 year old child just starting out I say MAN UP and put real strings on your acoustic guitar...
Then why bother playing acoustic...
A flat top with super light gauge strings sound like your banging on a tin can and then you run that into an amp via a piezo pickup...that's got to be a terrible sound compared to an acoustic guitar with normal strings being played for real.
Extremely light acoustic guitar strings (like 10's) were developed for two reasons...there are some old (100+ year old) flat tops that simply can't take the tension of 12's and 13's due to their bracing but some of them are stout enough to be able to handle 10's while the others get string with some kind of silk and steel strings. The other reason is children so if you ain't playing a 120 year old guitar and you ain't a 6 year old child just starting out I say MAN UP and put real strings on your acoustic guitar...
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: Light strings on an acoustic?
I was playing my new acoustic yesterday, that is currently strung up with 13s, and one thing I do appreciate from that gauge that I probably wouldn't get with lighter strings is how they react to heavy handed strumming. They kind of go into overdrive, and deliver this characteristic sound that just communicates intensity. That has to count for something.
I was playing my new acoustic yesterday, that is currently strung up with 13s, and one thing I do appreciate from that gauge that I probably wouldn't get with lighter strings is how they react to heavy handed strumming. They kind of go into overdrive, and deliver this characteristic sound that just communicates intensity. That has to count for something.
Agileguy_101
Master of his Domain
Re: Light strings on an acoustic?
Because we can't do wide, fast, and deep vibrato on an acoustic... at least, not like you can.
In other words, this:
Because we can't do wide, fast, and deep vibrato on an acoustic... at least, not like you can.
In other words, this:
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Light strings on an acoustic?
You know I'm as serious about the acoustic guitar as I am the electric, Christian. I used to use .013 sets. My hands would be sore and my fingertips aching after a night of playing onstage with those strings though. I switched to .012 light gauge acoustic strings a few years ago when I started doing more studio work. My playing sounded better too.
I don't think I'd ever go lighter than a .012 - .052 set though.
You know I'm as serious about the acoustic guitar as I am the electric, Christian. I used to use .013 sets. My hands would be sore and my fingertips aching after a night of playing onstage with those strings though. I switched to .012 light gauge acoustic strings a few years ago when I started doing more studio work. My playing sounded better too.
I don't think I'd ever go lighter than a .012 - .052 set though.
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