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Post by Johnkenn on May 16, 2016 15:03:44 GMT -6
Found this interesting. I've been using Mediums forever...I'm not even sure I've ever even tried lights...but I definitely hear more sustain in this video from the lights...Any opinions?
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Post by chasmanian on May 16, 2016 18:13:51 GMT -6
everything I say is my own personal amateur opinion.
I play acoustic guitar. alot.
when I do, 99% of the time, its while recording myself, accompanying on acoustic guitar.
1 microphone, which I sing into.
but the mic picks up plenty of the guitar.
I monitor myself with headphones on.
99% of the time, I use light strings.
they suit me.
mediums are ok too.
but for my style, they're not a good choice.
I play bare handed.
mediums tear up my fingers too much.
my thoughts about lights tone and volume and sustain:
total non-issue.
lights are also great for bending, which I like to do.
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Post by Ward on May 17, 2016 17:17:12 GMT -6
Light gauge 12-52 always sounded best to me and have the best intonation from my point of view.
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Post by svart on May 18, 2016 7:09:41 GMT -6
I've always used 11's on acoustic to counteract some of the jangle.. But I think it really comes down to what the player can make sound good, and what their style and technique demand. One player might make something light sound good, while another might need heavy strings.
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Post by Ward on May 18, 2016 7:20:39 GMT -6
What brand, model number or name of 11 - 49s do you use on acoustics, svart |
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Post by mikec on May 18, 2016 10:21:24 GMT -6
Mediums on my dreadnoughts and lights on my OM style. I really like the Elixir HD lights in phosphor bronze as a good in between.
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Post by Bob Olhsson on May 18, 2016 16:00:44 GMT -6
It's important to understand that a guitar really needs to be set up for the specific strings you are using in order to play in tune with the best tone. This makes the difference between a good and a great guitar sound.
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Post by rowmat on May 18, 2016 16:14:20 GMT -6
13-56 for me on all three of my acoustics, Breedlove (I forget which model), K.Yairi YD-5, and a Lowden L25. They all are fitted with bridge doctors. (Breedlove has one as standard) Stick your super light gauge strings on your electric but don't bring 'em anywhere near my acoustics thank you very much!  I can't get over how many acoustic guitar demo recordings I hear online are almost unlistenable IMO. Thin and jangly especially when strumming. Soundpure has some of the worse sounding acoustic guitar demos I've heard... horrible! |
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Post by wiz on May 19, 2016 16:15:36 GMT -6
12 - 52
cheers
Wiz
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Post by Johnkenn on May 23, 2016 10:57:33 GMT -6
Back to the 13s for me...Just feel like the guitar has more projection and bottom.
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Post by donr on May 23, 2016 12:10:33 GMT -6
I use lights mostly. Easier on my teenie fingers. I like the sound of mediums when a player can really grip them and make them work.
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Post by Johnkenn on May 23, 2016 13:37:23 GMT -6
I use lights mostly. Easier on my teenie fingers. I like the sound of mediums when a player can really grip them and make them work. Very true...I liked the feel of the lights better...Truth of the matter is that all I'll ever do with Acoustic stuff is rhythm strumming, so the mediums sound and work better for me...I'll leave heavy lifting to the pros. lol |
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Post by Randge on May 23, 2016 17:44:00 GMT -6
The guitar itself makes a huge choice difference for me. I am certainly not going to put light gauge strings on a Martin, but a 40's Gibson sounds great with lighter strings. The style of music and intention is the difference, too. Flatpickers are never gonna want thin strings on their guitar, as the volume difference alone is enough not to go there. Whereas a clean strum guitar is ideal with them as the less bottom end fits the track better most times.
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Post by Bob Olhsson on May 24, 2016 10:18:29 GMT -6
It's more about the setup than the kind of guitar.
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Post by Randge on May 24, 2016 10:50:48 GMT -6
It's more about the setup than the kind of guitar. 100% disagree. You'll never catch a real flatpicker playing anything but a Martin or Martin type guitar. |
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Post by Ward on May 24, 2016 11:29:37 GMT -6
The guitar itself makes a huge choice difference for me. I am certainly not going to put light gauge strings on a Martin, but a 40's Gibson sounds great with lighter strings. The style of music and intention is the difference, too. Flatpickers are never gonna want thin strings on their guitar, as the volume difference alone is enough not to go there. Whereas a clean strum guitar is ideal with them as the less bottom end fits the track better most times. What would Tony Rice do? |
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Post by Randge on May 24, 2016 14:24:25 GMT -6
Play his Clarence White herringbone with medium nickel strings on it.
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Post by Randge on May 24, 2016 14:26:58 GMT -6
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Post by Johnkenn on May 24, 2016 20:45:41 GMT -6
Man...I just don't get the nickel strings...
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Post by Ward on May 25, 2016 6:35:36 GMT -6
Play his Clarence White herringbone with medium nickel strings on it. Asked and answered, thanks to the honorable gentleman from Tennessee. Ever think about running for congress? |
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Post by Randge on May 25, 2016 14:31:51 GMT -6
Man...I just don't get the nickel strings... Rice sounds amazing playing them, but he is the only one. I have heard some of the best guitarists in the world play that Martin of Tony's and they can't pull the tone he does from it. It's the oddest thing. |
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Post by Jason on Jun 1, 2016 8:22:56 GMT -6
13s here. And, I'll vouch for D'Addario's new nickel-bronze series. Bottom-end is woodier and more natural with no spiky jangle or high-end sizzle as compared to coated Elixirs. I know it's marketing-speak, but they really do seem to highlight the natural intonation of my HD28. More wood, less plastic.
EDIT: Haha, I just saw in the Elixirs thread that I may be the NB's only fan as others find them dull and lifeless...go figure! ;-)
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Post by iamasound on Jun 8, 2016 0:44:57 GMT -6
To each guitar, to each it's own. My Roy Noble lives with D'Addario Phosphor Bronze Lights, the Martin D 15M wears Martin medium M-150's and the elder 1980 Ibanez J-540 ST that I reserve for alternate tunings jangles away with those Elixir Phos. Bronze mediums as they seem to last a bit longer through the rigors of those different tunings as time goes by and bye. When I first got the D 15M I put on light strings and reeked in horror at my folly. What I loved about the guitar disappeared down a dark and fathomless hole of nightmare dreams and broken promises. I have since learned my lesson well. I tread lightly with the dearest, sweet Noble after my brother in law's wonderful black lab tossed it for some unknown doggie reason with his nose off of the guitar stand where it was resting, landed face down and badly compound cracking the neck where it meets the headstock. The world lost all light and joy at that moment, literally, it was as if the night descended and the sun disappeared. The world literally went dark, so was what I witnessed at that moment in relation to my inner turmoil and dispair. She (aptly named Taja, and so named by the Queen of the Hippies, Felicia Rose, as she felt that the guitar has a tone as beautiful and rapturous as the Taj Mahal). Since her surgical repair she only wears the least taught strings but still captivates me when I take her out and savor her delights. Please don't even bother asking me if you can play her.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Jun 8, 2016 9:20:50 GMT -6
There's really no debate when it comes to guitar strings and gauges. Every guitar has a gauge most suitable, one that brings out its best attributes, despite personal preferences. Of course, your preference might help you to play better, but it won't necessarily be the best choice for your guitar. Big Martin's will always sing with .013's, but you gotta be good to make it happen, otherwise 12's will do fine, but never quite get you there. My Taylor Doyle Deluxe likes 12's. The neck is thin, and 13's just pull too much, raising the action. Yes, you should have your guitar set up for the gauge you prefer, but there is always a natural gauge for each guitar, and fighting that usually leads to issues with necks bending, intonation being out, etc. I'd love to put 13's on my Taylor, but t just won't have it over time.
Randge mentioned Tony Rice, and there is something special about the tone he gets. I've seen his videos. I teach beginner guitar to kids, and I've seen 100 other videos. Tony's video is the only one I've seen that uses the same ergonomic approach I do. It's a combination of factors that add up to getting the absolute most out of any acoustic guitar and a personal tone.
I did a private video for a friend with some acoustic guitar tips, I'll see if I an upload it to You Tube and then share it.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Jun 8, 2016 10:12:16 GMT -6
I put this up on You Tube just for you guys, take a look:
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