What strings do you use on your Taylor GA ?

[plivemusic]

Hi,

Just wondering what strings folks use on their Taylor GA bodies ?

THANKS!

[TaylorGirl]

I use Elixir PB Nano HD Lights. I'm a fingerpicker and find the slightly heavier gauge on the first 3 strings a benefit, since I mostly carry the melody on those strings. They work for me, in what and how I play.

[SDTaylorman]

Elixir Nanos in Custom Light gauge. Either PB or 80/20 depending on my wallet at the time. 

[Strumming Fool]

Elixir PB Nano HD Lights on one of my GAs (K24e) and the other five use Elixir PB Nano Lights.....

[prezmc]

Like many others, I've used Elixir PB Lights on my guitars.  I've tried many others, but kept coming back... except, I've now put these:
https://www.daddario.com/products/guitar/acoustic-guitar/xt-phosphor-bronze/
on a 314ce, and mostly prefer them.  They sound similar to the elixir, with less brightness / aggressiveness in the highs.  The only downside I've noticed is more string noise when moving around on the neck.

[SoCalSurf]

After trying virtually everything, I have landed on D'Addario coated phosphor bronze custom lights (.11-.52), which can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002E3CHM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I actually use these strings on almost all of my guitars, big and small. I am looking for a very mellow, warm tone, and these do the trick, particularly for finger style playing.

[prezmc]

After trying virtually everything, I have landed on D'Addario coated phosphor bronze custom lights (.11-.52), which can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002E3CHM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I actually use these strings on almost all of my guitars, big and small. I am looking for a very mellow, warm tone, and these do the trick, particularly for finger style playing.

Curious - what about the custom lights do you prefer over the lights? Easier to play? Do you find much change in tone?

[SoCalSurf]

After trying virtually everything, I have landed on D'Addario coated phosphor bronze custom lights (.11-.52), which can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002E3CHM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I actually use these strings on almost all of my guitars, big and small. I am looking for a very mellow, warm tone, and these do the trick, particularly for finger style playing.

Curious - what about the custom lights do you prefer over the lights? Easier to play? Do you find much change in tone?

I'm not very good at describing things, but they seem to be the most comfortable and responsive strings for me, and they produce a very warm sound. They are coated so I get a lot of use out of them, too.

[donlyn]

I use Elixir PB Nano HD Lights. I'm a fingerpicker and find the slightly heavier gauge on the first 3 strings a benefit, since I mostly carry the melody on those strings. They work for me, in what and how I play.

I don't own a Grand Auditorium, but if I did I would use Elixir PB HD Lights. They may be shipping with those again, but if not, HDs would be in the on-deck circle as next up.

I use this gauge on most of my 6 stringers, including both my Grand Concerts, both -J-200 Jumboes, and my Grand Orchestra. My Walnut Jumbo likes Mediums best and my Alvarez demands Light gauge. Considering it is a similar size to a Grand Auditorium and a similar shape to a Grand Orchestra, there might be some competition for the best string gauge for me and a Grand Auditorium. Especially for an x-braced spruce over rosewood model.

I fingerpick all my instruments using my nails as picks. I like having a well balanced sound and the HD gauge helps me with that. Also one of the best features of Jumbo guitars is that they produce naturally well-balanced sound, and the Taylor lineup has a lot of shapes that are jumboes or are closed related to that shape, even the smaller ones. I view the Grand Orchestra as not only a replacement for a Jumbo, but an improvement over the Jumbo.

So as Susie points out that the Medium trebles in the HD gauge help improve the sound, I also feel that using the Light gauge bass in large body guitars keeps the bass more in sync with the trebles, especially with the Rosewood 818 Grand Orchestra.

Here is a link to an Elixir and Andy Powers interview/conversation about the HD Light gauge, .013 - .053 :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbTSHDm-jIg&feature=youtu.be

Don

[DennisG]

I use d'Addario XT light PBs on my guitar tuned E-e.  d'Addario EJ17 medium PBs on the one tuned D-d.  And d'Addario EJ17 medium PBs on the one tuned to open D or open G.

[Earl]

Mine are mostly GA's (or were).  My strings are usually D'Addario EJ-17 PB in medium gauge, sometimes EJ-16 in light gauge.  I often play in altered tunings, so heavier strings let me tune down while maintaining good playing feel and tension.  Taylor GA's can handle medium gauge tension safely.  I use cheaper uncoated strings for alternate tunings because tuning a string up and down kills the tone quickly.  For guitars that rarely get played, and for all twelve strings, it is Elixir Nanoweb PB light gauge - so I don't have to change them often.