New Taylor 816CE with Eartwood strings

[Kal7893]

Hello,

I just bought today my first Taylor guitar. The model is 816CE first Edition (32 on 200).
I am so proud to have it.

I dreamt to have one of the series 800 for several years. And now, it is done.
And even, a part ...weird..

Like you guess, something you see in the sky, unreachable. And this afternoon, it is there... closed to a chair in my living room. Amazing !

But after my first feeling, I have a first question on it :

I use to play on an old Ovation 1960 with medium Earthwood strings. Did you ever try once to put these strings on Taylor ? if you did, does it improve the sound actually ?

Thanks for your feedback, if you did yet.

Stephane

[Craig]

Hey we're nearly brothers, mine is #30 of 200

Craig

[Jersey tuning]

Welcome Newbies all.  String choices are very subjective.  A set that might be a favorite of one player because of its tonal charateristics might be trashed by another player.  Just go for it and have fun;  you might be really used to uncoated Earthwood strings, unlike the Elixirs that come with your Taylor.

[TaylorGirl]

Welcome to the forum and to the Taylor family. Congratulations!

[CodeBlueEMT]

 Hi Stephane. Welcome to the UTGF. Congrats on your new 816ce FE. I love Elixir PB lights. Like Frank's Red Hot, I put that sh...those strings on everything. Do you know what brand of strings are currently on your guitar? Jersey said it best: "String choices are very subjective." Glad you found us. Enjoy.

[Craig]

Codeblue
The 816s come with elixir pb 13-56 as standard.

Craig

[Kal7893]

Thanks Broth' Craig

I have tried it again yesterday ... It is gorgeous.
My wife is a New Desperate HouseOne.

I will leave the Elixir strings until next month, just to be familiar with the sound and will change to Earthwood. I will let you know.

I will put some pictures later today... proud and humble.

Stephane

[Edward]

Welcome to the board and huge congrats! 
It really is a wonderful feeling to aspire toward that "great instrument someday" ...then that day actually happens!  I'm right there with you, man!  Some time ago I had a ca.70s Ovation Legend (the old deeeep back), and played it everywhere and forever.   Great guit, bar none!  But things eventually "tipped" and I'm now on "this" side of the fence.  And just as you say: proud to have em, but humbled by having em
Enjoy in blissful humility!!   

Edward

[Kal7893]

Frequency of playing is around one hour per day (as average)

Finally, I have tried this month EARTHWOOD MEDIUM ACOUSTIC 80/20 BRONZE.

I get a good tone at the beginning.... but the sound disappears very quickly only after few days.
I kept them for 3 weeks and the sound came back again ... weird...

I gonna try this month again whether with ERNIE BAll with Aluminium Bronze ones, or Martin SPs Medium.

Perhaps I have to go more on light type strings instead of medium. What do you think ?

[mgap]

Frequency of playing is around one hour per day (as average)

Finally, I have tried this month EARTHWOOD MEDIUM ACOUSTIC 80/20 BRONZE.

I get a good tone at the beginning.... but the sound disappears very quickly only after few days.
I kept them for 3 weeks and the sound came back again ... weird...

I gonna try this month again whether with ERNIE BAll with Aluminium Bronze ones, or Martin SPs Medium.

Perhaps I have to go more on light type strings instead of medium. What do you think ?

I have used the Martin SPs before and like them.  That is what I keep on my Martin M-36, I think they are very similar to the Elixir Nano web 80/20 Bronze.  The SP's are a phosphor bronze, and use the Cleartone technology to coat their strings. After you tried out a few other string sets you might want to go and give the Elixirs another try for a better comparison, I think you will find them to be a excellent choice for your 816.  Your 816 is equipped with medium gauge strings from the factory, they give that guitar the best performance over light gauge.  Congratulations on the 816.  I love my 800 series. 

[Craig]

Perhaps I have to go more on light type strings instead of medium. What do you think ?

It's my experience and quite a common opinion that the 816 really needs medium strings. In fact I discussed this with a Taylor guy at a Roadshow yesterday and he agreed.

Craig

[drrohle]

I put EB Earthwood 11-52 on my 114CE after watching the coatings of 4 sets of Elixers peel off and look like mold growing on the strings. Then I put a set of EB E-Woods on 7 mo. ago and wow, these things seem immortal. They still sound great (and I play at least 15 min. a day, everyday) still have that nice brassy shine to them too!