String Preference For a GS?

[ScottSD]

Hey all, quick question.  I have a new to me GS (sitka over cocobolo) I'm working with.  I can normally manage mediums but, I utterly annihilated the callous on the index finger of my fretting hand.    I stuck a set of 12's on it and it's a bit anemic.  I'm probably going to restring it with mediums again as soon as I can tolerate them.  Like the sound of the 13's but the tension of the 12's so I'm looking for suggestions on low tension mediums. 

Thanks,

Scott

[Earl]

When string tension questions come up, I usually suggest staying with the 13s and tuning down 1/2 step to E flat. That gives you the same total tension as a set of 12s. As long as you’re playing solo you’re good. Otherwise you’ll have to capo accordingly to play with others or with recordings.  Martin makes a set of 12.5–55.5, which is right between 12–54 lights and 13–56 mediums.  I don’t happen to know what the model number is for that string type, because I don’t use Martin strings.

[ScottSD]

When string tension questions come up, I usually suggest staying with the 13s and tuning down 1/2 step to E flat.

Thanks Earl, I should have tried that before I pulled a decent set of mediums...  Rookie mistake. 

Scott

[Earl]

We’ve all been there.  I have been experimenting with semi-baritone tunings and heavier gauges, so I have studied tension charts quite a bit.  Right now one of my guitars wears 68-15 but tuned C-c.  (B-b was too floppy for such light strings on a standard scale). 

I also play in several altered tunings, the lowest tension being CFCFAC (open G down a whole step).  That forced me to dig deeper.  In my case the desire to play in Oped G (DGDGBD) had me using mediums a lot, and when going back to standard tuning I just got used to the heavier gauge.  Certain of my guitars really seem to bloom when wearing mediums tuned down to D-d.

[Frettingflyer]

I think the SCGC parabolic low tension strings might help? Worth reading up on, I have used them a few times and they seem to last quite a while but not as long as Elixir’s to me. Doesn’t cost too much to order a set to try.
Gotta love that spruce/coco sound, just magical in the one I own(GC custom). I can’t recall offhand if I ever tried the SCGC strings on that one but don’t think I did.
Congrats on the guitar!

[SDTaylorman]

Alternatively you could try a "custom light" set which has lights atop and mediums on the bottom. If you're set on mediums though I'd follow the above "tune it down" advice.

[ScottSD]

Thanks Everybody! 

I really like this guitar, it brings a lot to the table tone wise.  I think at my current level of development its crazy string to string clarity forces me to really concentrate on technique.  I'm probably going back to mediums but may try a set of SCGC Parabolics (Thanks FF).  It's an '08 Fall Ltd GS, lucky me!

Scott