String gauge for GS Mini

[roadbiker]

I just got a GS Mini about a week ago. I think it has med guage strings on it (not Elixer Nanowebs), possibly D'Addarios. Since I'm new to this instrument, I'm wondering how it will perform with light guage strings. I use light strings on all of my other guitars, but it seems that most people use the medium guage strings on the GS Mini. Since I don't know how old the strings are, I'm getting ready to change them, but my string inventory does not include any medium guage strings.

Advice?

Thanks in advance, Jim

[greg947]

The GSmini is designed to use medium strings.  With the shorter neck, the tension on the strings is less than on a longer one.  I have found no difference in playing my GSmini compared to my other full size guitars with light gauge strings.  I think if you use strings with less tension, like lights, you might get more string buzzing.  The mini comes from Taylor with Elixir medium gauge 80/20 nanowebs.  I changed mine to Elixir phosphor bronze mediums, and I like the less-bright sound.  I have also used D'Addario medium PB's (EXP17), and I liked those too. 

Greg

[The G]

Jim,
 You will loose a little volume with the lights,and may or may not need a truss rod tweak to adjust for the lighter
tension on the neck.
 D'Addarios have coloured ends where they seat in the bridge, so they are easily recognized that way.
I'm sure there are Mini owners out there who have changed to Lights  who will pipe in with their personal observations.
 Great little guitar BTW....

[andyi5]

The effect of the shorter scale means that mediums on the mini behave about the same as lights on a full size instrument, so that'd be the optimal choice. Nonetheless, many folks have reported back favourably that light or custom light strings also work great on the guitar.

[dougboy1970]

I put a set of light mediums on and have only got buzzing on the B string when playing in DADGAD, when the B is actually tuned down a whole step to A...but it's still not too bad...

[roadbiker]

Jim,
 You will loose a little volume with the lights,and may or may not need a truss rod tweak to adjust for the lighter
tension on the neck.
 D'Addarios have coloured ends where they seat in the bridge, so they are easily recognized that way.
I'm sure there are Mini owners out there who have changed to Lights  who will pipe in with their personal observations.
 Great little guitar BTW....

Thanx Ken. SO far I am very please with the GS Mini. I realize that D'Addarios are color coded (been using them for years and love 'em), but I haven't put a light and mirror inside the guitar to see the ends. I think I'm probably going to stick with the mediums. Gonna' pick up a set of EJ17's tomorrow.

Jim

[TaylorGirl]

I'm like you, Jim...I play with lights on my full sized guitars...always have.  I was pondering switching to lights on the GS Mini too.  However, I played it awhile and realized that it felt just fine with the mediums.  I love the volume, tone, feel, etc.  So, I stuck with the mediums and didn't have to mess with a TR adjustment.  Good luck.

[flaggerphil]

I like the mediums on my Mini M and plan to change them to Elixir PB's when it's time to change strings.  I tune mine down a full step, but that's more for singing than anything else.