Help me pick a string gauge!

[Diiskrej]

For my acoustic project I play my acoustic in Open D, all strings a half step down. Lately I just seem to keep breaking random strings, I was wondering what string gauge would be the best for this, also would anyone recommend using 2 high e-strings as opposed to the b string?

[Hudman]

We need more info. Where are the strings breaking (at the tuner, at the nut, at the saddle, etc.)? What gauge strings are you using now? Do you use a pick or fingers? What style of music do you play (aggressive, mellow, etc.)?

[Diiskrej]

Right now my strings are breaking at the saddle. I play fairly aggressive using a pick. Right now I am using Elixer Phosphor Bronze strings. I don't remember which gauge I bought but I am pretty sure it was light/medium.

[Freeman Keller]

So, are you saying that you tune 1/2 setp down from open D (Db Ab Db F Ab Db)? A set of mediums in normal open D has about the same top tension as lights at concert, so you might consider some sort of "heavy" set. I'm not going to figure out the gauges for you, but this might help and the tension calculator at the end will let you try any combination you want

http://p082.ezboard.com/String-Tension/ftheunofficialmartinguitarforumfrm19.showMessage?topicID=27.topic

FWIW - I string my two reso with plain old mediums and tune to regular open D and open G, and I also regularly tune my acoustics (strung with lights) to regular open D. If you don't want to do a lot of fiddling around you would probably be happy with mediums.

If you are breaking strings while tuned down there is more likely something wrong with your saddle than your strings

[AugTPD]

Extra heavy strings, tune to E, and start to save for a neck reset!!! Just kidding. If you're breaking a lot of strings check to see if your saddle has developed grooves where the strings break across it. It shouldn't. Also, if your string break angle (angle from exit of bridge to top of saddle) is severely steep it might cause more strings to break.

[Diiskrej]

Ok, ill have to have my saddle checked out. Now that I think about it, I broke my A string, which should have no reason to break from tension.