The dawn of a new "age"

[d03nut]

As all solid acoustics age, they tend to open up and generally sound better. From what I understand this is mainly due to "Good Vibrations".

 

I've had mine for over 2 years now, all this time with lights on (no not the "bulbous" kind). So I'm thinking it's more or less been through the more "noticeable" phase of its' opening up.

 

Recently I switched to mediums, which are really making the guitar "Shake, Rattle & Roll" in ways that I seldom felt before. Could this help "kickstart" a 2nd period of aging?

 

 

 

Side-note to lights-users who share my initial "level of skepticism":

 

My biggest fear before the switch was the potential for "reduced" playability. Some chords are tougher now, but surprisingly, some "power chord-ish" ones are easier to fret. OTOH, I thought that the guitar would be less "responsive" to "finger manipulation" but I'm in fact getting a more "desirable" sound out of it using my fingers. And less buzzing during "angry" aggressive strumming.

 

No more "loosey-goosey" strings for me, that's for sure

[Cripes]

For a while I was using JT's method of using a hybrid mix of light gage with mediums (high E and B strings) but decided to just make a complete change to mediums. This is the way to go for me and my guitars. They are more vocal and due to my Neanderthal mits I don't have any extra effort to negotiate. My only problem now is finding medium talent as conveniently packaged as the strings. All I can find is ultra-light and I have to buy it by the keg.

[d03nut]

For a while I was using JT's method of using a hybrid mix of light gage with mediums (high E and B strings) but decided to just make a complete change to mediums. This is the way to go for me and my guitars. They are more vocal and due to my Neanderthal mits I don't have any extra effort to negotiate. My only problem now is finding medium talent as conveniently packaged as the strings. All I can find is ultra-light and I have to buy it by the keg.

 

 

As far as "medium talent" is concerned, maybe you should try JT's method there too, you know, a "hybrid mix of light & medium".......kidding aside, I'm sure you're talented....

 

BBTTTAH, I seriously feel that with the mediums, it's like my acoustic is once again going through that initial phase of opening up that you get when a guitar is brand new, it's going to open up even more now....

[Cripes]

Some guitars are pretty anemic-sounding until they get a dose of medium gauge therapy. I've read somewhere that though that might be true it could also be the opposite with some guitars. I can't figure that one out unless the extra tension of medium strings compress (physically) their soundboards so much that they become tight and unable to resonate as well as with lighter gauges. String science is a bit beyond the tree stump simplicity I'm resolving myself to these days.

[iago]

You will get sick of mediums after a while.

 

Don't worry, you will be back.

[Tony Burns]

Mediums are OK , but i personnaly love the feel of Custom lights - i use to love Ex-lights , but now i realize the slightly thicker strings have a better sound - Mediums to me - slow me down -I hated the Medium strings that came on my Larrivee , those Cleartone strings suck !

[moctzal]

I like "meds" on all my spruce topped guitars.
I agree it seems to liven them up like after a "sickness."
However on my cedar topped 000, it seems to "overdose" the top too easily with the "meds."
Sorry if that was a really pathetic attempt at humor...
Great thread as usual D03.

[Stackabones]

I use these ...



Argentine 1510MF Loop End .011-.046, which are considered "standard" tension by Savarez.

How do they fit in with the time-space continuum of this tread?

[guitarist21]

There was a thread a while ago in which someone presented the idea that playing certain notes will cause a guitar to "open up" specifically to the sound of the certain note played. This thread just reminded me of it.

 

I recently made a switch to a heavier gauge (although I did it because the store ran out of the kind I like and I was not up for taking the train to Guitar Center) and I must say I, too, am pleasantly surprised. You're totally right- you put the strings on and its like "Man! These are really thick!" but the results are good. More string, more tone? (Don't kill me for my highly generalized statement)

 

I once heard SRV's guitar was nearly unplayable with the combination of ridiculously thick strings and high action.

 

Ellen

[Queequeg]

My only problem now is finding medium talent as conveniently packaged as the strings. All I can find is ultra-light and I have to buy it by the keg.

 

I've heard you and there's nothing "lite" about it. Plus, anything that comes by the keg can't be all bad.

[OldGuitarPlayer]

When I was busking a lot I used mediums simply because yes as Ellen put it "more string, more tone". It is recommended that the Martin 000-15 I have should be strung with lights only. My Taylor 114 on the other hand is strung with medium nanowebs and I like how it plays and sounds with those. I have a Sigma DM2 that sounds ok with lights but I think I will step up to mediums on it. I think a lot of bluegrass players use heavier strings as well. I don't really mind using a heavier gauge string on acoustic (as long as it can handle it) since I don't usually do a lot of bends on it.

[Tony Burns]

If you think your guitar sounds good now you should give it another 30 or forty years it will be a real gem ( I bought my guild 71' Guild D-55 back in 76 used -- it is a killer ) but to most of us to wait that much time well probably be in the grave by then or be too old to play the darn thing !

[Jon Hiller]

Mediums are OK , but i personnaly love the feel of Custom lights - i use to love Ex-lights , but now i realize the slightly thicker strings have a better sound - Mediums to me - slow me down -I hated the Medium strings that came on my Larrivee , those Cleartone strings suck !

 

 

 

I have had nothing but great luck with Cleartones, much better, in fact, than I have had with any of the other treated and/or coated strings (elixir, d'addario, martin, black diamond). The Cleartones hold their tone by far the longest for me. YMMV, but that's my experience. I think a good part of it is the chemical makeup of your skin, and everyone is a bit different. I have been using the Cleartones since they came out, almost exclusively, because I typically get six months or a little more out of them, even with heavy use, before they start to sound even a little dead. The Black Diamond coated strings lasted the shortest amount of time, with the coating starting to come off after a couple weeks, and the Elixirs didn't fare a whole lot better, lasting about a month. The D'Addario and Martin treated strings both were better than the coated strings for me, but at most about 3 months before I start noticing them beginning to sound dead. I just wish it didn't cost so much more for the treated strings so it would be more affordable to experiment around with them.

[Samilyn]

I wonder how laminate with solid top opens up? I have a few years to go with my CFM DX12 to find out.

[Samilyn]

My only problem now is finding medium talent as conveniently packaged as the strings. All I can find is ultra-light and I have to buy it by the keg.

You are not alone, Cripes. I could not have described myself better.

[recordingtrack1]

I'm glad to see so many of you coming around to the benefits of medium gauge strings.
I'll never go back to lights on my dreads or jumbo.

They are louder than light gauge. This is especially good when playing live and in group settings. They stay in tune better and they almost never break. They are a little harder to bend but you'll adjust and eventually it is no longer an issue. They work better for picking to me as they are easier to get a hold of. Oh, and BTW, they are better for playing slide.

Anyway, just my $.02.

EDIT: I thought of something later after I made this post. If you are thinking about using mediums, make sure your guitar is braced strongly enough to handle them. The string tension is exponentially greater with mediums than with lights. I'm not sure how much exactly, that is a Freeman Kellar question, but you could seriously damage or even destroy your instrument if it is not braced well enough for that much pull.

RT1;)

[Samilyn]

I'm glad to see so many of you coming around to the benefits of medium gauge strings. I'll never go back to lights on my dreads or jumbo. They are louder than light gauge. This is especially good when playing live and in group settings. They stay in tune better and they almost never break. They are a little harder to bend but you'll adjust and eventually it is no longer an issue. They work better for picking to me as they are easier to get a hold of. Oh, and BTW, they are better for playing slide. Anyway, just my $.02. EDIT: I thought of something later after I made this post. If you are thinking about using mediums, make sure your guitar is braced strongly enough to handle them. The string tension is exponentially greater with mediums than with lights. I'm not sure how much exactly, that is a Freeman Kellar question, but you could seriously damage or even destroy your instrument if it is not braced well enough for that much pull. RT1;)

 

 

Excellent point. Love the sound of the meds, but tempted though I am, I'd be scared to put 'em on my DX12. It'd probably implode.

[kwakatak]

I tried Ernie Ball mediums on my OM once but didn't like the feel of them and went ahead and had the guitar set up for Elixir Nano PB lights. I need a little slinkiness for playing "modern" fingerstyle (like James Taylor, Tommy Emmanuel, etc.)

 

OTOH, if my Tak dread wasn't about to implode I'd try and put mediums on it, but I was advised against it by the tech who patched it up a few years ago.

[eor]

everytime this topic comes up, eor says this and nobody listens and then the topic comes back. every single time.

john pearse slack key
.013, .017, .024, .032, .045, .056

found here: http://www.shorelinemusic.com/accessories/johnpearse.shtml

love,
eor

has them on and om and it sounds more better. fuller, bassier, and so much louder than before. although i had the action lowered and if i tune too low or get to aggressive, they start to buzz. maybe i should raise it a little, but still.

[happy-man]

Can we talk Larrivees for a moment? I have two of their parlors and these little guys are braced for and sound best with mediums. ...

 

 

Is that the way they set them up new? Just curious. I went to the Larrivee site and didn't see any info. I emailed Godin about my S&P parlor and they suggested lights so that's what I've put on (I'm still on my first set of strings). I like the sound but now I'm wondering what it would sound like with mediums. With lights you can only stum it very gently or it is jangly.

 

I use mediums on my Taylor 110 cuz that's what it's made for, I liked the sound when I got it, and I don't want it to change. It certainly isn't hard to play. I just set up my new bang around Washburn and put lights on it. Think I might try mediums on the next string change (which isn't too often for me).

 

Scott O

[Queequeg]

 

OTOH, if my Tak dread wasn't about to implode I'd try and put mediums on it, but I was advised against it by the tech who patched it up a few years ago.

 

If we accept that the engineering of the acoustic guitar is somewhat imperfect, that we put tension on a device that includes a joint in the center where the neck joins the body, the greater the tension, the shorter the life expectancy of the guitar. If you, and your guitar are so fortunate to live long enough the instrument will eventually need a neck reset & bridge work and/or more.

The lower the tension the longer you can delay the inevitable, but it is indeed inevitable. At standard tuning, mediums place more tension on the guitar than lights. You can tune down a 1/2 step or more to reduce tension (and then capo up if you like).

Get to know the USTC (universal string tension calculator; a free download) and see what you are doing in terms of tension on your guitar.

[Queequeg]

Eor, I was just kidding in previous post. Slack key strings (mixed set, custom, hybrid, whatever you want to call them) is a great idea.
"Slack Key - Designed specifically for those of us who spend a lot of time in dropped tunings. Since the most popular alternate tunings tend to drop the 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th strings, these strings are medium gauge, and the 3rd and 4th strings are light gauge."

[garthman]

Am I the only one here who uses extra-lights, 10 - 48 gauge? I don't think I would ever go back to using 12's, horrible stiff "boomy" things they are! And 13's and higher - might as well use fence wire.

[Samilyn]

Am I the only one here who uses extra-lights, 10 - 48 gauge? I don't think I would ever go back to using 12's, horrible stiff "boomy" things they are! And 13's and higher - might as well use fence wire.

I've used extra-lights in the past and liked them - quite easy to play - but I have to have the setup adjusted for them. If I simply change to lighter strings without adjusting, the fret buzz drives me nuts. (My 12-string is rather finicky, but I love it anyway)

And believe me, I'm not skilled enough to do a good setup myself, so that means up to a week for a tech to do it for me. Not many good techs where I live, so the good tech's waiting list is rather long.

[garthman]

And believe me, I'm not skilled enough to do a good setup myself, so that means up to a week for a tech to do it for me. Not many good techs where I live, so the good tech's waiting list is rather long.

Hey Samilyn,

It is very easy to do this adjustment yourself. The lower tension of the lighter strings just causes the neck to straighten out a little under the force of the truss rod. If you slacken off the tension of the rod when you put on the light strings, with approx 1/8 to 1/4 turn anticlockwise, you should get rid of the buzz. Take it slow and you won't have a problem.

Gareth