Do I have to use extra hard tension strings on my 814ce-N?

[johnhpower]

Just got the new guitar yesterday.  Bass strings a better than I expected volume wise.  Treble strings sound a bit thin for a guitar of this price.  I see it came with the Xtr hard tension strings. 

Am I limited to that type of string or can I switch to a normal or hard tension string? If I do will it affect the action which is too high now and must be adjusted?

[cc7]

I am sure you can use others. I like the strings that came on my Taylor nylon, but before that I always used D'Addario hard tension.

[johnhpower]

Thanks. I prefer Savarez strings.  What is confusing is that the sales websites all say the strings are extra-hard tension but after posting this I went to the Taylor website which said that hard tension strings were stock on this guitar so I do not know what type of strings my new guitar has.

[cc7]

When I got mine, the humble 114ce-N, they came with D'Addario Pro Arté EJ46FF, carbon hard tension. The package also says Flourocarbon. I like them, so I stuck with them.

[ScottSD]

I'm running D'Addario EJ44TT ProArte Dynacore on my 714CE-N.  I like'm.

Scott

[johnhpower]

I heard back from Taylor.  They stopped using extra hard tension strings on this model in the mid 2010s

[Earl]

It will depend totally on you.  Since I am used to steel strings and a certain amount of string tension, I preferred to use hard or extra-hard tension on my nylon Taylor 314-N when I had it, for a similar playing feel.  Otherwise I had to struggle at lightening up my touch compared to my other guitars (I have very strong hands).  There were no ill effects on the guitar.

The variation in total tension ranges from 90 - 115 pounds, give or take, for different sets of nylon strings.  Light gauge steel strings start at ~160 pounds, with mediums at ~185 pounds, and a twelve string light-gauge set at 250 pounds.  You might need to make a minor truss rod adjustment to subtly relax the relief when using much lighter nylon strings.  Hope this helps.

[GP517]

Regarding the thin treble strings, it was my experience recently with a new 414 ce-N, that the strings had to be played regularly for over a week before they started sounding decent. And then the stock strings really sounded good to my ear. Of course some of the improvement could be due to the guitar being played a bit.  The feel of the strings also improved dramatically after a couple of weeks. I prefer the extra-hard tension strings, and think they do a better job of driving the soundboard. I'll bet your guitar sounds wonderful. Enjoy!