Taylor discontinues HD Light strings?

[DennisG]

I noticed on Taylor's web site that they list Elixer Lights for my 814 DLX, and not HD Lights.  I thought maybe it was a typo ... until yesterday, when my local luthier mentioned that Taylor is discontinuing them.  That doesn't really concern me, since I haven't been a fan of HD Lights from the very beginning, and have felt that their design (medium trebles, light bass) seems counter-intuitive to what most Taylor guitars sound best with.

Discuss.

[LK17]

I noticed on Taylor's web site that they list Elixer Lights for my 814 DLX, and not HD Lights.  I thought maybe it was a typo ... until yesterday, when my local luthier mentioned that Taylor is discontinuing them.  That doesn't really concern me, since I haven't been a fan of HD Lights from the very beginning, and have felt that their design (medium trebles, light bass) seems counter-intuitive to what most Taylor guitars sound best with.

Discuss.

Interesting, I haven't heard or read anything about this myself. I still have the stock Elixirs that came on my 2017 814CE. If a change has occurred I guess I'll be rocking the lights I guess. I wonder why Taylor will be no longer doing the HD Lights.

[Strumming Fool]

I imagine that HD lights will still be available for those who are fans. If not, I can use the standard lights with no real issue. It may be the Classic Coke story all over again. Perhaps most people prefer the classic Taylor sparkle, which is why they bought a Taylor in the first place.

[ebick]

I imagine that HD lights will still be available for those who are fans.

^This.  Unless there's a relationship I'm not aware of, I think that the OP meant to say that Taylor would discontinue stringing any new guitars with the HDs.  As they are a product of Elixir, it would be up to them to discontinue making/selling them.  That said, I believe Taylor was involved in the development....if that's what it was.....I think it ends up being more a case of combining existing strings differently.

[sergeko]

Hi,


This is what Taylor support told me about the switch from HD Lights to regular Lights :

Thomas Cepeda (Taylor Guitars) Hi Serge, It really just comes down to preference. HD Lights are a great option, and a lot of folks will stick to those while some may like the feel and sound of the regular light gauge. Bracing played a part in us changing back, but there is nothing wrong with using the HD Lights if that's what you prefer. Thanks Thomas Cepeda Customer Service Representative (800) 943-6782 x426 (619) 258-1207 taylorguitars.com Serge Hi Thomas, Thanks for the feedback. I’m curious about the reason for this switch though. Maybe because starting from 2016 the bracing of the 314 has changed from 'Forward Shifted Pattern with Relief Rout' to 'Performance with Relief Rout’ ? Best regards, Serge Thomas Cepeda (Taylor Guitars) Hi Serge, This year, we did switch back to using regular light gauge strings for the GC and GA models, like your 314. In 2015, we did string your guitar up originally with HD Lights. If you wanted to try the regular light gauge, go for it. If you like how the HD lights have felt and sounded, you can stick with those too. Let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks! Thomas Cepeda Customer Service Representative (800) 943-6782 x426 (619) 258-1207 taylorguitars.com

[zeebow]

interestingly enough, i haven't tried hd lights on my guitars, they all have elixir pb bronze

[Frettingflyer]

interestingly enough, i haven't tried hd lights on my guitars, they all have elixir pb bronze

Hey Zeebo, I have elixir PB HD lights on some and just the lights on others, but you can have PB and HD at the same time:) What I have found is I do like PB better on all but one of my Taylor's as opposed to 80/20's, but we all have differn't ears.

[zeebow]

interestingly enough, i haven't tried hd lights on my guitars, they all have elixir pb bronze

Hey Zeebo, I have elixir PB HD lights on some and just the lights on others, but you can have PB and HD at the same time:) What I have found is I do like PB better on all but one of my Taylor's as opposed to 80/20's, but we all have differn't ears.

yup. interesting stuff! i like the regular 80/20 on my 414

[Edward]

I love/use the PBs, but also think the 80/20 has its place on certain Taylors (or otherwise warmer guitars).  But like Dennis, always thought the HD was counter-intuitive for Taylors in general.  Then I tried a couple of sets on two of mine and realized exactly that: poor move.  IMHO, I've not ever met a Taylor whose overall voice improved with thicker trebles over light bass strings.  Each one's experience may differ, clearly, but this has been mine.

It is only my opinion, to be sure, and normally wouldn't care about elixir/taylor having created this set.  But that they marketed them as "HD" (come on, you know what they're trying to say with "HD") and offering verbiage like "warmer" or "fuller bass" is, without doubt in my mind, pure hogwash and total marketing spin at its worse.  Yeah, like heavier treble strings are going to yield more bass!  I love both companies, but I say shame on them for making what could have simply been another string-gauge option for the public into some "improved" voiced ploy.

Edward

[Christhee68]

I have to admit that I was one of the early adopters of the HD Lights. To me, they did give my 314ce lower lows and higher highs. I don't think anyone could convince me otherwise. In fact, since I switched to HD Lights, I have lost several inches off my waist, and lowered my blood pressure and cholesterol; not to mention a noticeable improvement in the bedroom. I'm going to stick with the HD Lights (at least until my supply runs out and/or the next "big thing" hits the market).

[Craig]

That's where I went wrong Christhee, I've put inches on my waist because I never bought into the HD lights 

Craig

[Strumming Fool]

While my waistline and other quality of life aspects haven't changed, I have noticed an improvement in some of my Taylors' tone wkth the HDs. However my cedar and redwood tops sound better with the standard lights.

[HAPPYDAN]

I bought a new 2016 412e-R LTD, and it came with and Taylor recommended HD Lights. I hated them. They sounded dull and lifeless. Switched to regular 80/20 Elixir Lights, much better, at least for vocal accompaniment, which is all I do. Maybe the HD were better for solo instrumental, IDK. But for livelier Country, Folk and Folk Rock, no. I'm not sorry to see them go. BTW, the guitar is a fingerstyle dream.

[antsap]

I really liked the gauges on the HD lights. I found with normal lights my 814 had less low end oomph, and I also liked the higher tension on the treble strings which were more tolerant to how I play (the lights on the treble strings didn't have a real sonic difference to me, but I liked the stiffness of the higher gauge for playability).

I did throw on a set of John Pearse 710NM's

710NM New Medium - Even Tension Set - perfect for Fingerpickers    .013, .017, .024, .032, .042, .055

I loved these. They had all the low end, very similar tension, and in general made the guitar sound way more alive than the coated elixer HD lights.
I'll miss the longer life of the coated strings, but I'm a tone hound and I don't think I'll go back.

Here's the comparison of the gauges
 .013, .017, .024, .032, .042, .055     (JP 710NM)
 .013  .017  .025  .032  .042 . 053     (Elixer HD Lights)

[donlyn]

I also liked the sound and play of the Elixir HD Lights. Maybe because I'm used to the treble strings of a medium gauge set, but I have recently acquired a couple of Grand Concerts with HD lights on them, and I would not consider going Light with them.

And it's always good to have choices, as I tend to experiment if something doesn't sound right. For example, my Epiphone EJ200 had Light gauge strings on it when I got it, and I tried mediums on it. Didn't sound quite right, so I then put HD Lights on it, and am pleased with this result. In fact, due to my relatively recent arthritis issues, I am thinking about trying HD lights to replace some medium gauges on other guitars I have. I have also tried Bluegrass gauge (medium bass with light treble gauges) on some guitars in the past.

No hard and fast rules. It's all about what works for you and your guitar.

Edit> HappyDan, I also have a 412e-R and I really like the sound of the HD Lights on it. However, that's just what works for me.

And my waistline has neither grown nor shrunk using HD Lights, which is both good and bad.