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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I know we have had discussions about the brand of strings and the most popular ones seem to be Elixer, Adamas, and D'Addario.
Just wondering what gauge most of you prefer on your acoustics and why.
I tend to run 10-46 on the vast majority and some 11-48/50s on a few of the others.
Stephen |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I take some flack for it but I like light strings. I recently experimented with different brands and gauges and have now returned to the Martin Marquis Light.
I have two deep bowl guitars. I have been advised that putting lights on my DiMeola Custom Legand is akin to an oxymoron and a sin.
Why you ask? Well, I may get less volume with lights but my Ovations are loud enough anyway. Hey, I guess it's just because they play easier.
I've gotten to the point where I change strings on my most used guitar about every 6 or 7 weeks. |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | I put 12s on the Elite and am happy with them. I have to replace them again, and had planned on going heavier, but I think I'll just stick with the 12s.
Or maybe they were 13s. I can never remember. =( |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 425
Location: SE Michigan | I am the guy who gives him the flack. I just think it is funny to read all the fuss over deep-bowls and tone quality, then give back all that tone and volume with extra-light strings. But Brad does have a point in that he will get more volume out of his deep-bowl with extra-lights than a shallower guitar with extra-lights.
Heavier strings mean more volume and better tone. But you do have to be careful, some guitars can't handle the extra pull of heavier strings. I have an old Legend that is starting to show a top crack between the bridge and sound-hole, I put only lights or medium-lights on that guitar and tune it one half step lower.
I have a D-28 that sounds very impressive with mediums (13's). But I will admit that the mediums are a bit tougher to play on. I can still do a full two-note bend on the E and B string, and I can barr-chord all the way up the neck. Forcing yourself to play heavier strings will ultimately make you a better player because of improved hand strength and better calluses.
I have become a fan of Martin SP 12.5’s (medium lights). I am not sure if other manufacturers make this size of string. They are half way between lights and mediums and seem like a good compromise between playability and volume. I also like Elixir Nano-webs in light (12’s), wish they made a 12.5 set. |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | I like to go with Nanoweb Elixr 13-53's on my acoustics, 11-49 D'Addarrio's on the short scale electrics like the Bluebirds, and 10-46 Fender 150's on the longer-scale Fender type guitars.
I figure where I switch back and forth between elec and acoust guitars often, keeping the gauges a little light on the acoustics and a little heavier on the electrics keeps the string feel quite similar between the two.
As for coated strings, I don't like the tone as well as uncoated but if you wipe Elixers down after every playing session, they will last a very LONG time. Can't tolerate coated strings on the electrics, though...just not enough snap to them.
Wayne |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 31
Location: Los Angeles, California | From page 4 of my Ovation owners manual:
"Always use Adamas or Omega Strings."
"...change your strings after about 20 hours of actual use, and at least every month."
Yea, right. I gotta get rid of some of these other guitars or something.
I use the 1919 Mediums on my Os. When I change the ones on my wife's, I'll probably put on the lights as she mostly plays plugged in anyway. Just to see how she likes them.
Everything else I like the D'Addarios. Wow. Far-out pretty colors, man.
Andy |
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String gauges