Members PerfectTommy Posted March 9, 2012 Members Share Posted March 9, 2012 i have a rosewood dreadnaught and a rosewood 00 (both Larrivee). i was given a gift of Elixir Polyweb mediums 80/20 bronze (.013-.056) and just can't get into them. they aren't significantly more difficult to play (as i thought they might) and they are supposed to be stellar (recommended by a New Orleans-based pro, so...). they just don't sound 'right'. do any of you use mediums; if so, on what guitar (configuration and size)? it seems one of my guitars would prefer them, although i believe both came originally with lights (and are set up for lights). i would think one's style of play would make a difference, too: hard playing would probably require stouter strings, correct? my style, clumsy, slow and amateurish, just doesn't do well with the mediums. i've asked elsewhere: what are the guidelines/rules/theory on lights v. mediums? btw: i have two more packages; if you'd like to trade your lights for them, let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members katopp Posted March 9, 2012 Members Share Posted March 9, 2012 0.12 on heavily braced dreads and jumbos, 0.11 or 0.10 on lighter braced and Silk&Steel on my OM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted March 9, 2012 Members Share Posted March 9, 2012 Mediums on my resontators tuned to G or D, mediums or heavies on my 12 strings tuned 2 to 4 semi tones down. Lights on everything else, including my D18. 10's on the Lester. I'm a finger picker, fwiw, flesh and nails. I'll also add that when I did my side by side comparison, I did not care for Polys but I do like Nanos (they are my go to strings). I did not care for 80/20's, but do like PB's (ditto). Milage should and will vary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FretFiend. Posted March 9, 2012 Members Share Posted March 9, 2012 I use mediums on my D-28 and on my FG700S. Dreadnoughts sound wimpy with anything less. Note: Elixir polys are tone killers right out of the package. Get some MSP3200's or 4200's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members katopp Posted March 9, 2012 Members Share Posted March 9, 2012 Wot?!?! No Pizza? No Anchovis?What a sh!te poll! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted March 9, 2012 Members Share Posted March 9, 2012 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome says 'no' to medium strings, though I use Bluegrass on my Taylor (which is for sale, as I don't play it much). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted March 9, 2012 Members Share Posted March 9, 2012 Medium phosphour bronze on a jumbo is pure heaven for strumming Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EdBega Posted March 9, 2012 Members Share Posted March 9, 2012 Medium Elixir Phos/Bronze Nanos on my FG tuned down a full step though ... it's a bit tight for my fingers so I play it capoed two. They sound great to me ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted March 9, 2012 Members Share Posted March 9, 2012 Light (.012 - .053) has worked fine for me for about 45 years...and I prefer Polywbs over all other string sets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Opa John Posted March 9, 2012 Members Share Posted March 9, 2012 I've used med/lights a few times, but for a couple of years all I've used are Martin MSP4100 lights. They sound plenty loud enough for me and they're easier on me and my guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Opa John Posted March 10, 2012 Members Share Posted March 10, 2012 I like them because they are a tone quality better than a lighter gauge. I don't like them becauthe they tear up my nailth. Pitheth me off. Shouldn't there be three eth'th in "piththeth"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted March 10, 2012 Members Share Posted March 10, 2012 I tune to standard on all my guitars, so 13s are too heavy. Even with low action I find myself fighting with the guitar for several songs. I actually like the sound of 12s better. With the Elixirs, the PB nanos are the only ones I like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pine Apple Slim Posted March 10, 2012 Members Share Posted March 10, 2012 I like them for straight up flatpicking.bigger strings fat pic more powerful bigger sound and tone.But for most everything else, pop, blues, finger or hybrid picking, bends, I can get more out of lights. My Depends is full now, so excuse me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FretFiend. Posted March 10, 2012 Members Share Posted March 10, 2012 I like them because they are a tone quality better than a lighter gauge. I don't like them becauthe they tear up my nailth. Pitheth me off. Better to be pithed off than pithed on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members recordingtrack1 Posted March 10, 2012 Members Share Posted March 10, 2012 13's on My Taylor Jumbo and Martin D 35. Running 12's on my Yairi since I discovered a slight elevation at the back of the bridge. (Just enough to slide a piece of paper under). 12's on my Alvarez MF80, as it is a GC size body. Mediums sound much better, especially the bottom end and overall balance. They also last longer and I cannot remember when I broke one. Anything lighter than a 12 that is not on an electric guitar is strictly for thithies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members knockwood Posted March 10, 2012 Members Share Posted March 10, 2012 I suspect your problem may not be the gauge, but the string composition. I dislike 80/20 in general, and coated strings in particular. Tin City. YMMV. I do like 13's on my dread, just because that guitar seems to kind of require 13's to sound its best. I use 12's on my jumbo, though. They sound good, and the very slightly longer scale on that git would probably murder me with 13's on there. I also use 12's on my 000. I guess I mostly let the guitar determine what I put on it. I like lighter strings if the guitar still sounds very good with 'em, but I wouldn't trade away tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chordchunker Posted March 10, 2012 Members Share Posted March 10, 2012 Mediums (.13-.52) on my d-18, .11-.49 (wound third) on my electric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted March 10, 2012 Members Share Posted March 10, 2012 I've currently got DR Sunbeam 10's on my dread (only fresh strings I had) and I have to say that aside from less volume I really like them. I'm toying with leaving them on there and just using it amplified from now on. It's like playing an electric that sounds like an acoustic. No fighting the guitar! Pretty sure this is the "Zager" effect, but I can see the appeal. I've only ever used these strings on cheap guitars for beginners, but it's a whole different sound on a decent resonant guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Seorie Posted March 10, 2012 Members Share Posted March 10, 2012 i have a rosewood dreadnaught and a rosewood 00 i was given a gift of Elixir Polyweb mediums 80/20 bronze (.013-.056) and just can't get into them. they aren't significantly more difficult to play (as i thought they might) and they are supposed to be stellar they just don't sound 'right'.do any of you use mediums; if so, on what guitar (configuration and size)? it seems one of my guitars would prefer them, although i believe both came originally with lights (and are set up for lights). i would think one's style of play would make a difference, too: hard playing would probably require stouter strings, correct? my style, clumsy, slow and amateurish, just doesn't do well with the mediums. i've asked elsewhere: what are the guidelines/rules/theory on lights v. mediums?. hi Tommy, coated strings sound like strings with a coating on them - to me - on my guitars !, cedar- r/wood and spruce - r/wood - they also 'feel odd'.I only use mediums 13 - 56 Newtone Masters or DR Rare PB's. on 25.5 scale length but I don't ever play in 'standard' tuning. It's all about getting a 'TENSION' under your fingers that your happy with.Seorie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sangemon Posted March 10, 2012 Members Share Posted March 10, 2012 Putting aside the electrics and the 12-strings, I've got 13's on my dreadnoughts and 12's on everything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members garthman Posted March 10, 2012 Members Share Posted March 10, 2012 9's on my electrics 10's on my dreadnoughts (including my 12 string but tuned down to standard D) 11's on my 000 (might try 12's) 15 - 62 on my Eko Ranger VI dreadnought tuned down to standard B (now my baritone git) La Bella 850HT-B on my classicals & nylon string dred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted March 10, 2012 Members Share Posted March 10, 2012 .012's. "Lights" to most manufacturers, "Medium/Lights' to Ernie Ball. I have a set of their Earthwood 80/20's on my Ibanez right now. Easier to fret and less tension on the guitar. I didn't see that as an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Samilyn Posted March 11, 2012 Members Share Posted March 11, 2012 Depends. (but I don't wear 'em...LOL) Two dreads, a 12-er and a 6-er. The Martie 12-er is happy with 12-53, which would be considered "mediums" for a 12-er. Naturally, the git is tuned down. However, the all-hog GAD-25 does not play well with anything bigger than 11-50. The git loses all balance, the bass becomes overwhelming and the trebles nearly unheard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members recordingtrack1 Posted March 11, 2012 Members Share Posted March 11, 2012 One of the things I have learned about using mediums is that you gotta know when to change'em. I used to leave them on too long because, 1) I was lazy and 2) I'm cheap. The longer they are on the git, the less (obvious) life they have. They get tighter and tighter continuously losing more tonal quality. Also, it seems as though they put more tension on your guitar. They get harder to play and just sound like $#!+. YMMV, but once I learned to spot the point of no return, I change them asap. This makes for a lot better relationship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members min7b5 Posted March 11, 2012 Members Share Posted March 11, 2012 Medium phosphour bronze on my 00 is pretty amazing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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