String info.

[James_Russell]

Hey again,

I'm due a string change on my crafter (the set I'm using has been on it five months, but honestly still sound good). The official specs for my guitar say it is fitted with D'Addario EXP 12-53 gauge strings, but I played another crafter, exactly the same model, which had much lighter strings fitted that I didn't like. I really want the exact same strings again, but I don't know for sure whats on it. Do the string gauges actually refer to a dimension I can measure? i.e. is a 12 gauge string actually 0.12mm in diameter? I have access to precision measuring devices, so could I measure the strings that way?

Thanks,

-James

[outdoorgb]

Well I could be wrong since I'm back new at the guitar...but I am a dimensional engineer and the string packs read .012" to .053 as you have listed.

 

That means the string diameter is in inches not metric (mm). So if you use a micrometer/dial caliper to measure the diameter the smallest sting (E) should be .012" or stated "twelve thousands of an inch" in diamter. The largest string also an E, measuring .053" in diameter.

 

 

But I love metric so .012" = .012(25.4) = .305mm, and the .053(25.4) =1.346mm

 

 

Hope this helps...I'm I wrong?

[James_Russell]

Okay I'll try some vernier calipers on them tomorrow. It seems to make more sense, the sixth string certainly doesn't look like 0.53mm!

Thanks,

-James

[Freeman Keller]

Yes, they are in thousands of an inch. I grabbed this of the Elixer site

 

11002 Extra Light .010 .014 .023w .030w .039w .047w

11027 Custom Light .011 .015 .022w .032w .042w .052w

11052 Light .012 .016 .024w .032w .042w .053w

11077 Light

[James_Russell]

so looks like I want the 11052s then, If my guitar has the same strings specified.

Thanks

-James

[Freeman Keller]

 

so looks like I want the 11052s then, If my guitar has the same strings specified. Thanks -James

 

 

that is the Elixer part number for the ones I copy/pasted. I think those were 80/20 Polywebs - I only chose those to show you what is in a typical package of strings by size. D'Addario will have a different number, their EXP's are great strings, and many people prefer them to Elixer. The main thing to remember is that most manufactures call their 0.012 to 0.053 or 54's "lights" (DR uses different nomenclature).

 

The big differences in guage is the heavier you go the more volume you will get, the harder they will be to fret and bend, and the more stress you will put on the top. Lighter will be easier to play but might feel a little floppy and might even buzz depending on how your guitar is set up.

[garthman]

Hi James

 

That's a nice GAE15N you have there. I am a big fan of Crafter guitars - excellent quality at a very reasonable price - I own the TD06N model.

 

Now the spec on the Crafter website says that they come fitted with "D'Addario Light Gauge 11" string dimension 12 - 53 which is confusing because D'Addarion do a "Light" gauge set which are 12 - 53 and also a "Custom Light" set which are 11 - 52 (see Freeman's post above).

 

Now I'm pretty sure my TD06N came with the 12 - 53 set (but I changed them straight away for a set of Martin SP PB extra lights 10 - 48 because I prefer them) but I bought it a few years ago so things may have changed. To be sure, you need to measure the string diameters and then go for the right set.

 

The Custom Light 11 gauge set are actually a good compromise - I set up and restrung a guitar (actually also a Crafter) for a friend who has always used 12 gauge and he thought they were a great improvement.

[JerseyGuy]

Don't be afraid to try different strings and gauges, it's one of the things I enjoy doing. (I don't enjoy changing, but do it while I'm watching the evening news, somehow helps leaven the depression I get doing that.) Some are brighter, some darker, some last a lot longer -- I used to really like Elixir Nanos, but have come to prefer the Daddario EXPs, they seem brighter over a longer period of time. But an uncoated, untreated phosphor bronze is my real favorite, Daddarios are great, although I need to replace them about every three weeks or so to keep the quality of the sound. Found a weird Ernie Ball set for my parlor. I'm really looking forward to the time around late winter when my calluses and fret finger strength finally get me to where I can put true mediums on my dreadnoughts. Good luck.

[James_Russell]

measured my strings with a caliper and turns out the specs on the website were right, so I've gone for another set of the 12/53s. Wonder why the other 15N had odd strings? was new and everything...

Unfortunately, JerseyGuy, I'm a student and therefore can't afford to risk buying strings I won't get on with! Obviously they can completely change the playing dynamic of a guitar, and I don't want to lose the crafter I fell in love with!

Garthman, I am consistantly impressed by crafters, nearly bought a nylon string classical with a slim body and peizo p'up the other day because it sounded great. The guy in the music shop said that crafter are so good to play because (apparently) the director randomly picks a guitar off production seven times a day, to maintain the standard.

What are elixers like?

-James

[garthman]

Elixirs are coated strings - they are coated with a polyurethane (I think) film to reduce corrosion (as are the D'add EXP). A lot of people here like them but I prefer uncoated strings - you need to change them more often though.

 

Was that nylon string classical the CE15 or CE18? - I want one of those myself.

 

Good old Crafter! I genuinely believe they are the best buy around at the moment.

[Freeman Keller]

 

What are elixers like? -James

 

 

Elixers were the first of the coated strings - now almost every manufacture has a their own using some coating technology - I believe Elixers remain the only ones to have the Gore polymer. There are two versions, the original Polyweb and the newer Nanoweb, Polys have a thicker coating. Like most strings they come in 80/20 and PB, altho the PB's are rarer. They cost approximately 3 times what an equivalent uncoated string costs, and many players get 3 or more times the playing life.

 

Some folks really like them. Some folks really hate them.

[James_Russell]

garthman- The crafter I saw was labelled 'lite CSE/CP', but it looks most like the CE15. it was priced at

[garthman]

It could be the CE15 - the price sounds about right. I tried one a fewyears ago - very nice guitar. But I already have a classical (my first guitar) and I was looking for a good dreadnought which is when I chose the Crafter TD06N. My old classical actually still plays very well and I've recently acquired a Headway Snake PU which I am going to fit into it (this is the same PU fitted into the TD06 and they are brilliant!).

 

You enjoy your Crafter - you have there a guitar of a quality that matches most US made instruments.

[James_Russell]

Yeah my first guitar was a classical too... almost ten years old now, and on original strings! (shows how much playing time it gets!). The problem is it isn't a quality instrument- I think my mum assumed I was going through a phase (as nine year olds do) and so I got a 'lauren' for