Members jjang1993 Posted July 8, 2006 Members Posted July 8, 2006 i bought a set of martin xtra light strings and im wondering if they will cause any problems on my guitar will xtra light strings cause more buzzing?im thinking not because don't smaller gauge strings vibrate less? how will the action and playability be affected? how will the tone be affected by xtra light strings?
Members Tony Burns Posted July 8, 2006 Members Posted July 8, 2006 all depends on how your guitar is set up , or how your top nut is slotted as well as your bridge saddle - probably ok if you have lights on it now - im not real crazy about Martin extra lights, I use PB ex-lights Dadarrio's -- for me they seem to last longer and stay brighter longer on my Martin . But string preference differs from person to person as well as the actual guages of the strings, So if your fond of Martin strings dont change on my account - but trying other brands might give you a different sound ( which could be good ) by they way you asked about action , should be the same as with lights , but it will seem lower because of less pressure to push them down --it also lowers you volume somewhat ( sometimes depending on the guitar ) but makes it a faster fretboard . sometimes the volume is not really that significant so i wouldnt worry about it, unless our guitar is fighting other instruments to be heard ( like in Bluegrass )
Members recordingtrack1 Posted July 8, 2006 Members Posted July 8, 2006 There may be buzzing possibly. Larger strings equal more pull on the neck which should cause the neck to bow up slightly. With smaller strings you may find your action lower, in which case you could find some buzzing. If this does happen, and it may not, you might need to have the guitar set up for the lighter action strings. RT1
Members mparsons Posted July 8, 2006 Members Posted July 8, 2006 Smaller strings vibrate more. To vibrate at the same pitch, a larger mass must be stretched tighter than a smaller mass. This looseness allows the string to move more.
Members KATMAN Posted July 8, 2006 Members Posted July 8, 2006 Ive tried a set of extra light strings and I didn't like them. I was looking for a new sound and feel. I then tried some Custon lights,.011-.052 and I love the tone and feel. The extra lights sounded tinny to me,but there are others who swear by them.
Members Dave W. Posted July 8, 2006 Members Posted July 8, 2006 Just my experience, but after a solid year of playing nothing but nylon I bought an OM-21. It came with 12's and my fingers could not deal with them. I went down to 10's for a month or so and then to 11's. After a few months I could play for a good hour comfortably with the 11's and I went to 12's, which is what Martin recommends. The improvement in tone has been very noticeable, the guitar has really come alive. BTW, I play nothing but fingerstyle with a thumb pick. YMMV.
Members jjang1993 Posted July 9, 2006 Author Members Posted July 9, 2006 is it possible to string nylon classical guitar strings on a steel stringed acoustic guitar?
Members BoyoMcLadd Posted July 9, 2006 Members Posted July 9, 2006 is it possible to string nylon classical guitar strings on a steel stringed acoustic guitar? Yeah but it probably won't sound too good.You might like it.Other way around (steel strings on a classical) I wouldn't do.Classicals are built to handle the pull of nylon and resonate accordingly.The steel sting guit might not respond as well.I don't know any of this from experience.
Members Dave W. Posted July 9, 2006 Members Posted July 9, 2006 Originally posted by jjang1993 is it possible to string nylon classical guitar strings on a steel stringed acoustic guitar? I would try silk and steels before going the nylon route. The John Pearse strings have been getting good reviews here.
Members guit30 Posted July 9, 2006 Members Posted July 9, 2006 xtra lite strings mess up the truss rod on an alvarez
Members jjang1993 Posted July 9, 2006 Author Members Posted July 9, 2006 Originally posted by guit30 xtra lite strings mess up the truss rod on an alvarez what? how do xtra lights mess the truss rod up?
Members guit30 Posted July 9, 2006 Members Posted July 9, 2006 That's what Alvarez customer service said was wrong with my guitar when I sent it for Factory service
Members Andrewrg Posted July 10, 2006 Members Posted July 10, 2006 Guitars built for steel strings are braced too heavily for nylon strings. They just wont drive the top enough to make it vibrate. Basically it will sound crap!The golden rule is the heavier the string, the more tone and volume you`ll get from the guitar.I string all my guitars with lights(12-56). Its worth persevering and working your way up through the gauges. Your guitar will reward you with great tone.
Members Andrewrg Posted July 10, 2006 Members Posted July 10, 2006 Originally posted by guit30 That's what Alvarez customer service said was wrong with my guitar when I sent it for Factory service They were talking crap. Light strings will NOT mess up your truss rod. It may need an adjustment if it has been strung with heavier strings, to compensate for lower tension but your guitar will not be hurt in any way.
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted July 10, 2006 Members Posted July 10, 2006 The main problem w/ using X-lights is that your tone will be "thinner" and your volume will be softer, because the strings won't work your guitar's wood (particularily, the face) as efficiently. OTOH, if you like how your guitar sounds with 'em (and lots of folks do), getting your guitar set-up to get the most out of 'em is something any good repairman can do. And, if you plug that guitar in, you can compensate for any "lackingness" with EQ.
Members guit30 Posted July 10, 2006 Members Posted July 10, 2006 my guitar was great with xtra lites for 10 monthes, but then the relief went and I couldn't adjust it anymore and to send it for factory service
Members derivicus Posted July 10, 2006 Members Posted July 10, 2006 I use 10-46's on all my acoustics and have no problems at all.
Members Andrewrg Posted July 10, 2006 Members Posted July 10, 2006 Originally posted by guit30 my guitar was great with xtra lites for 10 monthes, but then the relief went and I couldn't adjust it anymore and to send it for factory service I read your other thread and it sounds as though the nut securing the truss rod has stripped from the rod-which would make it spin uselessly.I sympathise and agree that someone is trying to get out of their warranty obligation.
Members Dave W. Posted July 10, 2006 Members Posted July 10, 2006 Originally posted by guit30 That's what Alvarez customer service said was wrong with my guitar when I sent it for Factory service If you really like your Alvarez, it sounds like it's time to eat the warranty and get someone who knows what they are doing to work on it.
Members guit30 Posted July 11, 2006 Members Posted July 11, 2006 Look, 3 very knowledgeable guys, please e-mail Tom Kruszka at St Louis Music and tell him he's wrong!!!!, I can't even get it backTkruszka@stlouismusic.com Jim
Members Dawn Posted July 11, 2006 Members Posted July 11, 2006 Originally posted by derivicus I use 10-46's on all my acoustics and have no problems at all. I use 10s on all my electrics. Can't imagine what they would do to an accoustic though and not too anxious to find out. I love the full sound 12s bring to the accoustic. But that's just me ...shrugs
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