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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 22
Location: New England, USA | I was curious as to the string sizes youse guys use. I was always a 12'er, but then went up to 13's, but found myself spending more time wrestling and not enough time playing...then I started messing with the truss rod (don't do that) and things really got out of hand. I'm back to 12's (Martin SP Marquis phos bronze or D'Angelico's, depending on my mood). I also change my strings pretty much every week (on my Martin, which gets played daily). Some of you actually use strings thinner than 12's? Don't they twang when you pound them? Just curious.
Thanks! |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | I think this is very much a matter of personal taste, what sound you're after and what style you play. I'm using Adamas Silk and Steel (which are 11s) and don't find any twanging. My only complaint is that flickoffs or poor finger placement on the E strings can lead to the string bending off the fretboard if you don't get it just right. |
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Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 1119
Location: Michigan | I use Dadarrio custom lights 11-52s on both my legend and UTE. and I cannot tell the difference between those and the 12s so I stay with the lighter gage. I struggle enough without having 13s on there. I tried the Martin SPs and liked them alot but not enough to change from the 11's. Anyway I buy them in bulk so I tend to stay with one size. |
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Joined:
February 2008
Posts: 747
| I use cheap Martin lights and I don't change them too often. |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 11s. I play fingerstyle but don't find they twang, I have a delicate/controlled touch ;) |
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Joined:
April 2009
Posts: 130
Location: London, UK | DR Rare 12's are as flexible as most 11's and add the bass I need for a SSB geetar. |
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Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | I'm learning different ga strings sound better to my ears on different guitars. Experiment with what you feel sounds best. That also includes string brand. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4043
Location: Utah | Diamondhead, 12's are generally the preferred gauge on this forum, but you'll certainly see a variety of differing opinions. The Martin Marquis are for me the gold standard of tone on my Ovations, but the life is pretty short. The Elixir Nano Phos Bnz are a very good second choice, and they last a very long time. They are on my '07 Collector's Edition right now.
The DR Sunbeam on my Adamas have lasted longer than Martin Marquis and have a very nice sound. They seem to be quite a bit lower tension than other brands of strings. They are constructed around a round core as opposed to a hex core, which may be the reason. Dunno. Anyhow, they are enough lower tension that there is noticeable string buzz where there wasn't any before with different brands.
I personally would not go to 11's because the tone will likely suffer. Though to be fair, some folks here have experimented with different gauges and found that some of their guitars do better with 11's (and others do better with 13's). You could try 11's, and since you change strings often it wouldn't be a long term relationship if you don't like them.
Tweaking the truss rod shouldn't be a big deal, and many of us make seasonal adjustments. First off, though, the truss rod only is used to adjust the mid portion of the neck. Capo at the first fret and the 14th fret. Now see how much space there is above the 6th fret. If you play moderately (not hugely aggressively) there should be a very tiny space there. So small it is hard to see, but you can feel it if you tap the string onto the fret. The more aggressively you play, the larger that gap should be.
Make small adjustments, up to about 1/4 turn, and then wait until tomorrow to see how it settles in. BTW you can play the guitar in the meantime. Once you get the truss rod adjusted, the remainder of the adjustment is done at the saddle. If you find the strings overall are too high, take a shim out from under the saddle. If the action is too low and you are getting buzzing all over, put a shim back in. Half-thickness shims are available from the factory, just email or call customer service. They'll mail you a handful of shims free. Or you can make your own out of credit card or other hard materials.
The nut is important in your setup but is best left to an experienced luthier. You can do it yourself but if you screw it up you'll have to have the nut replaced by a luthier at the cost of about $70. Getting the truss rod and the saddle correctly adjusted is free and easy. If you still have problems in the lower frets it is time to tackle the nut. |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 22
Location: New England, USA | Hey Guys
thanks for the advice...I can't see myself using 11's unless I ever watch those "Learn Gypsy Guitar" DVD's that have been on my shelf for 2 years. If I'm doing Neil's Cherry Cherry,or Holly Holy, I've got to pound it with all I've got. I use 11's on my electric..although I might switch to 9's. The 13's create way more volume, but don't seem to "sparkle" like 12's...and your right about the Martin strings...very short lifespan, but when they sound great, theyre really great. I'm not down with the coated strings. I've tried Elixirs, D'Addario and Martin coated strings and just don't like the feel, sound..oh and the price! I think I exude a special substance from my skin that kills string tone faster than normal! |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Depends on the guitar. 12's or 13's. I want the best tone I can get while still having a ring to it.... |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
Depends on the guitar. 12's or 13's. I want the best tone I can get while still having a ring to it.... Doorbell not working .. ??! .. call our company .. choice of "sweety" .. " metal-worker ".. " the End " .. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Top, I'm ticked because I had a great ring on my cell phone but lost it when the chip died. Now I have the theme song to the original Star Trek for a ringer. Never ever choose a reing while sitting at a bar.... |
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STRING GAUGES
