Difference in String Gauges

[badtzwang]

What exactly are the playing differences between light, medium, and heavy gauge strings? I know the cosmetic differences .... light being the thinner of the strings .... however, I want to know maybe the tonal differences and the playing differences.

 

I get some buzz on my low E string using light Elixir strings 12-16-24-32-42-53. Would switching to mediums make a significant change in the buzz (aka reducing the buzz completely)? Also, I've heard that medium gauge strings can be easily broken when tuning up and down your guitar. It seems that the light gauge strings are the most popular. Is there a reason for this? I've just heard a lot of myths about the different gauge strings and I was just wondering what is true and what isn't.

[DonK]

Originally posted by badtzwang What exactly are the playing differences between light, medium, and heavy gauge strings? I know the cosmetic differences .... light being the thinner of the strings .... however, I want to know maybe the tonal differences and the playing differences. I get some buzz on my low E string using light Elixir strings 12-16-24-32-42-53. Would switching to mediums make a significant change in the buzz (aka reducing the buzz completely)? Also, I've heard that medium gauge strings can be easily broken when tuning up and down your guitar. It seems that the light gauge strings are the most popular. Is there a reason for this? I've just heard a lot of myths about the different gauge strings and I was just wondering what is true and what isn't.

 

 

The heavier the strings, the more tension necessary to bring them to standard tuning. Thus, a heavier string will require more pressure to depress (and thus to play); for some, perhaps many, this translates to more difficulty. Lighter gauge strings will be easier to play, but typically produce less volume than a heavier gauge. Switching to heavier strings might clear up a buzzing problem, but partly that's because the increased overall tension will pull up on the neck inducing greater relief (bow). You can do the same thing with your existing strings by loosening the truss rod (start with no more than 1/4 turn, counterclockwise, and then wait 24 hours to let the guitar settle).

 

Ultimately, the gauge you use is a trade-off between the feel you like, and the volume and tone you want.

 

I used to use mediums or lights, but lately, because I've become prone to tendinitis, have been using either extra-lights (.10 - .47 set) or John Pearse Bronze and Silk light or medium, which have less tension than a comparable set of regular bronze and steel strings.

 

Switching to a set of mediums (.013's) might cure your fret buzz, but that's not the right way to fix the problem; take it to a reliable tech for a set-up. That could involve just a simple truss rod adjustment, or your nut and/or saddle could need adjustment (lots of guitarists have a winter saddle and a summer saddle because seasonal changes in humidity can cause the top/fretboard to swell such that they're closer to the strings, causing buzzing).