New member from the north east UK

[AndyAy]

Hi all. How did I end up here? Well, I changed the strings on my 214ce (and my K24) to my usual Elixirs 12's but found they were cutting into my fingers (have they changed the design?), so I went searching for what others were using and ended up here. Anyway as it happens I've put d'addario silk and steel 11,s on the 214, and bought some La Bella s and s 12's to try in a few weeks. So far the 11's are ok, but not a vast difference in comfort, and a bit less headroom when digging in with strumming. Quite like the all steel colour though....

I only do (did;thanks covid) a few gigs a year and mostly solo with vocals/harmonica, and mostly with the 214, it's a great workhorse. The K24 is nice and sweet for unplugged, intimate and safe gigs like posh recitals. I used to use the Dove but it's got a very narrow (38mm) neck and, like the K24, is a bit too tasty to cart around. I had a Hummingbird for a while but p/ex'd for the K24. Still feel bad about letting it go, so no more part exes for me. I know you can only play one at a time, but once you've gigged a guitar there's a part of you inside it for ever. Sniff.

I suffer from G.A.S. and quite fancy a Maton (808) and a Martin (D28) next, ooh and a nice Taylor Limited Edition 914ce Grand Auditorium Lutz Spruce / Indian Rosewood, and, and....well you get the idea.

[mgap]

Welcome to the forum AndyAy.  Sounds like you have the same acquiring bug that most of us have here.  There is no cure of course.      

[TaylorGirl]

Welcome Andy, happy to have you here.
I use Elixirs on all my acoustics, and have noticed no change in them.

[AndyAy]

@ Mgap and TaylorGirl. Thank you  for your warm welcome.

Yes, the Elixirs thing is an odd one. Maybe I got some fakes, or maybe as I'm getting older (60, just) my fingers are losing their padding....

[Strumming Fool]

Welcome Andy!

Hope you enjoy your stay with us, and I do understand your guitar dreams; I'm a recovering GAS-aholic myself!

[PaulWood]

Firstly, I want to wish all Members of the Forum a Happy New Year. I'm enjoying linking up with you and long may it last!
Welcome to the forum Anday, from a fellow-UK member I'm based down on the South coast (so, you may refer to me as a 'Southern girl's party dress'! but that's just British humour for you!
I have, in the past, suffered from the problem you're having with your fingertips, particularly during a period of ill-health. I know the feeling well - it looks like the tips are all wrinkled and that there is very little 'meat' (padding) inside. For a while I found that painting the tips with super glue (about 30 mins before playing) helped a bit.
This was a couple of years ago, and my fingers have recovered under their own steam. they've been OK for a long time now, so it shouldn't take too long BUT you must keep playing, so that your finger-tips get motivated to protect themselves - I do at least an hour a day.
Hope that helps!!
Paul

[AndyAy]

@ Strumming Fool and Paul Wood thank you for your welcome.

I play several times every day, mostly my Taylors, for at least an hour ( which annoys my partner ), as i feel I have to justify having such nice guitars and also I lose my gig readyness quickly if I don't. I usually go through a full hour and a half gig every day and then practice some new stuff.

 Anyway, thanks for the input. I have tried the superglue when one of my callouses cracked a while back, but it makes a mess when it starts to peel off!

I am suffering from ill health at the moment so maybe that's the problem. Still managed a Christmas eve gig though....

[PaulWood]

Hi Anday. You're right about the superglue peeling off and I suspect it may not last an hour and a half, but it does give some respite if your fingertips are tender - it's important to apply it at least 30 minutes before playing. Oh, and keep your hands to yourself while waiting for it to harden!

[DenverSteve]

Welcome aboard Andy. Northeast UK....? What's that?  York? Aberdeen? Edinburgh?... All are some of my favorite places. I see your idea list. Have you looked at the Taylor 717?  I'm a lifelong Martin player who has many different boutique and other-builder guitars. I recently purchased a 717e that checks almost every box from quality build, tone, sustain, volume, looks.... and most importantly for a professional player - price point.  These are truly swiss-army-knife guitars. Loud, gorgeous, affordable... and for someone like me that requires a guitar to be equally enjoyable to play (for me) as the audience (amplified).  The only boxes this model doesn't tick for me are size and weight.  I usually perform with OM/000 or Grand Concert sized guitars.  This is a full-size (although very comfortable) and mine weighs 4.93 pounds. However, it is such an excellent guitar that these quickly fall off the radar as you play.