My new Taylor MiniGS-e RW was delivered this morning by FedX. Free delivery from Elderly. Unfortunately, the G string broke immediately upon trying to tune it up. My bad? I was using a tuner so not sure what happened. Can't play it now until after I get to the store to buy a new one. Has anyone here changed the strings from the stock Elixir mediums to something else they like better?
Yes, and I recommend you stay with a medium weight, or at worst, a medium light weight. I know a couple people who pass with lights, but you really lose some tone -- and some volume, though the GSM is not hurting in volume department.
Having said that, I would experiment with strings, depending on what you're looking for. On my first GSM hog, I achieved a warmer earthier tone with Ernie Ball earthwoods and also got over my light string thing using a custom mix of 54 and 11 (can't remember what's in between). I recently traded up (sideways:-) to an HV and am running some DR Rare PB Mediums -- their med's are what some call light with a 12 -54. Started off a bit too chimey, but they quickly mellowed out to a nice balanced growly tone, and the weight is great. I should note that since I got the first GSM I have become more accustomed to Taylor's medium set ups, because I also have a big GS 816, running the EB mediums.
Strings are the easiest tone mod, it just take a some patience and a little dough. You gotta be ready to dump some if they don't jibe, and you need to basically do a science project ... maybe a week or 2 weeks of decent playing so you play them in and give them equal time. Def biggest bang for the buck , and with the sensitive GSM you can make some profound changes with the strings.
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