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September 2006
Posts: 347
Location: Reno, NV | Im wondering if all guitars can handle the string tension of heavy strings? Are there any guitars that specifically say "do not use heavy strings with this guitar". Would it be physically possible for the bridge to rip out? What about with the added tension of a full note bend? |
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July 2002
Posts: 1900
| Assuming you are referring to steel-stringed guitars it might be advisable to tune down to C or D standard tuning. And there are instruments with different manufacturer recommendations. Usually the heavier guage strings are for rhythm players, not likely to be bending notes. |
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Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | i may be the only one here who does this but i use DR.red devil coated med heavys on all my ovations that dont have any open cracks in the top. i havnt had any trouble yet..maybe im just luck..maybe not...jason |
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April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | No. A lot of Taylors specify to use light strings only. There are other manufacturers who 'recommend' med. or light, and don't know if I would venture to put the heavys on those, unless as stated above, you de-tune. |
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Posts: 97
Location: Chicago | Is it safe to say that Mediums should be good on most ovations? |
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January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | The question should be: Will using heavy strings, tuned to pitch put too much stress on the neck of a good quality guitar. Answer: If that's the case, then its not a good quality guitar. |
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Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | like i stated above,all mine except the folklore has med/heavy's on them tuned to pitch. havnt had a bit of trouble with any of them yet..my "good" matrix..(is that a oxymoron??) has had heavy strings on it for going on 3yrs now..the top nor neck havnt moved a bit..maybe i just have super good luck?? jason |
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Posts: 1900
| I might be paranoid, but I don't like tuning my Legend to standard even with med/lights. I use med's tuned to C or D standard. It saves the neck, the strings last longer... |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | ive got a 1983 1567 legend ssb right now strung with heavy strings and its doing just fine. i had lights on it but it sounded dead. i went to med-heavys and it realy booms now...ill keep using them till the bridge pulls of of one..then ill consider going to a lighter string..ive got heavy reso strings on my academy...jason |
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January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | Heavier guage strings bring a louder sound, and more tone. It's a bit of a trade off, on your fingers, and style of playing, as to what gauge you use. If you guitar neck can't handle the stress of heavy strings tuned to pitch, then its a crappy guitar. Ovation does not build crap. |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | ive got a strong fretting hand but i use the coated elixers or here recently i switched to dr.coated...as far as a ovation neck taking it, they have held up to every thing ive trown at them..you cant beat the craftsmanship on a ovation....heres a good example. the balladeer i repaired the smashed top and broken neck on has heavy's on it and its holding fine....jason |
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March 2004
Posts: 629
Location: Houston, Texas | I saw an ebay listing for an older Takamine 12 string the other day that showed a picture of a sticker inside the sound hole that said "Light or Medium Gauge Strings Only". That would sure give me second thoughts about buying a guitar with that kind of sticker, especially if it were new. |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | i was at the shop up town getting some strings for my national last week and i was looking at the martian backpacker,inside there is a sticker.."use light strings only"...go figure..jason |
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July 2004
Posts: 474
Location: Anchorage, Alaska | 12 string guitars often have a "use light to medium" stings stickers in them. Twice the tension I guess... I know I bought a used Ovation 12 string that was already "cupped" in front of the bridge from (what I was told) was from the use of too heavy of strings for a 12 string. |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Martin advices on some models to use gauge 13-56,the model J-15 is one of `em,they mention it on their web-site,as for Ovation ,they say " We like 12-54 "..I guess a new Solid Top needs to be shaken loose ,wich might go quicker with heavier gauges,bt not every guitar can accomodate "Heavies " in the long run,witness the telltales of many an old guitar,belly-warping,twisted neck etc.,.. :rolleyes:
Vic |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Goodnight |
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November 2004
Posts: 382
Location: USA | i use a light guauge on all my ovations...no problems. |
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Can all guitars handle Heavy strings?