Need help quickly

[cfordummies]

I have a Yamaha FG730S with stock everything. I wanna change the strings to .011-.052, but I don't want the nut to break or whatever. I think someone told me before that that would happen if I switch to a higher gauge. Is that true? This is gonna be my last chance to get strings for a while, hence the thread title.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Hudman]

The nut isn't going break. You may need to loosen your truss rod a bit to raise your action. Personally, I would never consider going with anything lighter than .012's (unless you have hand or wrist problems).

[cfordummies]

Okay, thanks.

Personally I don't like really light gauge, but I was just worried about the guitar breaking in some way.

[recordingtrack1]

That would be me. However, I went back and found my original reply to your thread. It reads exactly as such:

That guitar has a plastic nut and bridge. What you are talking about doing is going from light gauge .012 through .053 (or .054)
Up to .013 through .056, which is medium gauge. You might want to replace the bridge with Tusq or with Bone first. Also, think about changing your pins to a harder substance as well. To really get the best out of it you could also have your local luthier manufacture a bone nut as well.

I personally would not increase the gauge of the strings on plastic. The bridge might not fracture, but I personally believe that it would eventually do so.

Just my opinion,

RT1
____________________________

First of all you were talking about stepping up to Medium gauge strings. Second, I was talking about the bridge, not the nut. Third, a plastic bridge will deteriorate under the pressure of medium gauge strings.

My best advice is the same as Hudman's. Stick with light gauge strings, .012 through .054.

Regards,

RT1

[cfordummies]

Ah okay, thanks for clarifying. .012 through .054 it is then.

[kwakatak]

+1 on sticking with .012-.054 gauge strings. As long as you don't try to do any wild bends they'll give you a good balance between tone and playability.

Originally posted by recordingtrack1 ... Second, I was talking about the bridge, not the nut. Third, a plastic bridge will deteriorate under the pressure of medium gauge strings. My best advice is the same as Hudman's. Stick with light gauge strings, .012 through .054. Regards, RT1

Actually, you mean the saddle. Typically on less expensive acoustics they are made of plastic but upgrading to TUSQ or bone is really not that expensive (~$20) and (arguably) results in an improvement in tone.

As for cracking the bridge (which I know isn't your original point but I'm running with it now) it takes more than heavier strings to crack a rosewood or ebony bridge. Believe me: I seem to have found a way by improperly installing a JLD Bridge Doctor and adjusing the truss too quickly!

[recordingtrack1]

Thanks Kwak, My Bad. I sometimes don't know what to call what. I get in too big of a hurry. Saddle it is.

RT1:freak: