HD Light strings harder to play

[Veloz]

Hi gang

I've been playing some of the new taylor 800 series with the new HD Light strings on them and they seem harder to play that the regular light PB strings...seems to take more pressure to fret the strings, and my fingers are more sore after playing these new guitars than with my old one.

Is this because the nature of the new strings, or maybe because the new guitars I'm playing still have the factory "setup"?

Michael

[DennisG]

It's because a couple of the strings are heavier gauge on the HD Lights than they are on the regular Lights.

[Jersey tuning]

Is this because the nature of the new strings, or maybe because the new guitars I'm playing still have the factory "setup"?

I think for both reasons.  As Dennis said, the top three strings are heavier gauge, but a brandy new guitar can play stiffer at first as well.

[michaelw]

the HD set has a .013 e, .017 B & .025 G, compared to the .012, .016 & .024 on the light set -
also, phosphor bronze strings from the same maker/series tend to have slightly higher tension than 80/20s

that being said, i was able to play a guitar that went back to the factory to have a warranty concern
corrected & when it came back, it had PB elixirs (mediums) & a micarta wave compensated saddle -
there seems to be more height on the hi e end of the saddle & the guitar sounded much deeper &
richer than when i heard it last (sitka/koa GS), when it had 80/20s & Tusq, & it plays easier as well

action at the nut is something else to consider, as it may be a bit higher than an older guitar that has a few miles on it

[mitchell192]

I'm backwards on my strings. I use light gauge strings on low e thru g an ultra light (11e , 15b ).
I like the way it sounds and plays on a Sitka/Koa GC