What's the downside of lighter string gauges?

[jamesepowell]

My aging hands are not what they used to be and I'm wondering if a change to lighter gauge strings would help.

What's the downside? Does it make a big difference in tone?

[Strumming Fool]

A lot has to do with the guitar's construction.  A guitar that was designed for heavier gauge strings might lose some volume and punch with lighter string gauges. I play Taylor grand auditoriums exclusively. They sound great with light gauge strings but can also accommodate medium gauge strings, sometimes needing a slight truss rod adjustment.  For what guitar are you considering  light gauge  strings? That might help people to answer your question more effectively.

[Edward]

Hey James,

SF is on the money with what the guitar is designed for.  So a guitar whose top is braced for mediums will perform just fine with lights, but the "cost" will be a bit of volume and bass response.  How much less, however, cannot be determined until you try.

What guitar are you asking for?  Or in other words, what strings is your guitar designed for?  Also, depending on what strings you use, there is no shortage of hybrid sets out there.  For example, I have a GC-bodied guitar and these are designed for lights.  I, however, choose to put medium-light Elixirs on where the EAD is from the medium-gauge set, and the GBE are from the lights.  So if you are using mediums (13s) now, you can try this hybrid set.  If you are using lights (12s) now, Elixir and many other brands likewise offer hybrid sets.  These may be enough reduction in tension for you, just short of going to a gauge lighter that what you use.  It's worth a try.

One other thing that is critical: has your acoustic ever been professionally "set up" by a skilled tech, or how long has it been since it was.  I say "critical" here because a quality setup from a skilled guitar tech can make the guitar play better such that it feels easier and more comfortable to play, which in turn may allow you to avoid dropping to a lighter gauge.  Again, may I ask what guitar you are playing (I assume the 410 or 458?) as that may help us guide you in this respect.

Edward

[jamesepowell]

Thank you for your responses. I'm talking about my Taylor 410.

I've had Elixir light gauge, 12-53, on it since I bought it in 2002. That's what Taylor recommends.

[Strumming Fool]

As long as you're happy with the sound and playability of the guitar, there really is no downside. FYI, Taylor typically recommends medium gauge stings for its dreadnoughts.  But if it's all working for you, there are no worries.

[Edward]

Hey James,

A Taylor dred is braced for mediums (13-56), so if you've had lights this entire time and have enjoyed it, then certainly you're doing well!  Since Taylors from 2000 onward have the NT neck joint, I think you would do well to have a factory-authorized tech do a proper reset and setup on your guitar if it hasn't had one recently.  Done well by skilled hands, this goes a long way in making a guitar easier to play even if staying with the same string gauge. 

If I may recommend, call the mothership and they will give you authorized techs in your zip code, from which I suggest looking at reviews and speaking to each one personally.  This last part is important: a genuinely good guitar tech listens to the player and works with the player's style to achieve the best setup.  There are no "best numbers"; if the tech starts wielding his "expertise" over your preferences, walk away.  The best setup is the one that caters to the individual player.  Hope that helps you a bit

Edward

[jpmist]

Thank you for your responses. I'm talking about my Taylor 410.

I've had Elixir light gauge, 12-53, on it since I bought it in 2002. That's what Taylor recommends.

In my 60's I've gone to John Pearse "Slightly Light" gauge, which is 11,15,22,30,40,& 50 and they work great on my small bodied OO's. Should be a little easier on your hands.

Dunno your experience with capos but that might bring you a more noticeable result than switching gauges. Capo on 2 or up to 5 gives me a lower action with the added benefit of making the chords more compact as the frets are closer together.

[Earl]

James, the easiest thing that reduces string tension is to tune down, either a half step to Eb, or a whole step to D-d.  The potential downsides are: 
 - if you play with others or with recordings, you will have to use a capo to get back to concert pitch
 - you *might* need a minor truss rod adjustment to compensate (probably 1/4 turn or less)

Light gauge (53-12) strings tuned E-e are about 165 pounds of total tension.  That drops to ~150 pounds when tuned to Eb, roughly the equivalent of going one gauge lighter.  At D-d tuning, the tension is around 140 pounds, and light gauge strings can get pretty floppy.  On several of my guitars, I use medium gauge tuned to Eb or even D.  That pitch is easier for my singing voice, and reduced tension is a bonus for my fretting hand too.  FWIW, I have used medium gauge strings and alternate tunings -- including standard -- on all of my Taylor guitars for many years without any issues, including my former 410 and 414.  It is unlikely that you will find any two of my guitars in the same tuning at any given moment.

[Bob Womack]

Another factor that is often overlooked is fret size.  Taller frets REQUIRE a lighter touch or the strings will be pulled sharp by fretting pressure.  Once you've got the guitar set up well, fret size makes a lot of difference.  When I was having a reaction to statin drugs that make my joints and muscles extremely painful I ended up only able to play one guitar that had jumbo frets because it required less strength in my left hand and thus hurt less.

Bob

[donlyn]

My aging hands are not what they used to be and I'm wondering if a change to lighter gauge strings would help.

What's the downside? Does it make a big difference in tone?

Sorry to join the party late. A lot of good stuff has already been written.


jamesepowell,

A couple more points to ponder.

"Does it make a big difference in tone?"

The answer to that will depend on a combination of your hearing and experience. Let me explain a bit. I like large acoustic guitars and since they often come with Medium gauge strings, I am quite familiar with Mediums. Right now only one of my six strings wears Mediums, mostly because it likes them and so do I on that guitar. One other likes Lights, so that's what it wears. Both of those are sets of Elixirs. The others all sport Elixir PB HD Light gauge (.013 - .053, essentially Medium treble strings combined with Light bass strings), including the Grand Concerts, Grand Orchestra, and the J-200s. The big boys don't really need the Medium bass strings, and in all cases I like the sound of the Medium treble strings rather than the Light gauge trebles. Plus it makes the guitars more balanced to my ears. And my 74 year old hands like the somewhat lesser overall tension.

The other thing is the feel of the guitar with the strings you are using. To me the slightly larger (+.001) trebles actually feel better to my fingers and reduce any tinny tones to a more well rounded sound. I did say I like a balanced result, which I simply define as all strings produce tones that sound pleasing together and also sound like they came from the same guitar.

To be complete about it, I use Elixir 12 string Light gauge on the 12 strings, .010 to .047, which is what Taylor uses when they send them out for sale. If I'm not mistaken, Taylor has indicated that most of their six-stringed instruments can handle Lights or Mediums, possibly combined with some set-up adjustments as needed. And after playing the string game for most of my over 55 years of playing, I have settled on Elixirs as the best fit for me and my ears. It's really more about the gauge, not necessarily about your choice in strings.
 
One last thing: I fingerpick all my instruments, using my nails as picks.

That's what works for me. Ultimately everyone has to decide for themselves.

Be well all,

Don

 

[Earl]

Another factor that is often overlooked is fret size.  Taller frets REQUIRE a lighter touch or the strings will be pulled sharp by fretting pressure.

I never thought much about that.  Most of my guitars have been Taylor or they have similar sized frets (likely medium height).  When my hands have needed a break for rehab, I went to electric (T5 classic) or to nylon (314-N).  But since I play in different tunings all the time, I have learned that the resulting reduced string tension can be helpful.

It's good to see you posting here, Bob.  I always enjoy your contributions at that Other Place.

[themissal]

On my Martin dreads (D18s, D28s, D35s), current and past, I use / have used PB Lights. I always found no loss of tone, or maybe that is to say I just liked the tone with the lighter gauge strings.

My Taylor AD17 has lights on as well.

[DenverSteve]

James stated that he has been playing on lights all along.  Now he is thinking about going lighter.  The answer is - it doesn't really matter. If you need lighter-gauge strings to be able to continue playing - get lighter strings.  Before going to 11's on a dread, I would switch to something like Martin Flexible Core strings.  That's what Tommy E uses on some of his guitars. I would get a couple sets of PB and 80/20 flexible strings (MA535FX or MA540FX) strings and see which you like best. If you choose one, the the guitar to your local dude/dudette and get a full set up for those strings. 

Added: You're also playing a large guitar which requires more reach around and over. Switching to an OM/000 short-scale will also help with fretting pressure and grip strength requirements.  A 000 short scale with flex-core strings (with a great set up) will really be much easier to play than your dread.

[jamesepowell]

Thank you all for your responses. I'm going to do some experimenting and see how it feels & how it sounds.

Who knows, maybe what I have is already the ideal. Maybe I just have to play through the pain. (It's really more of an ache.)

[Edward]

Thank you all for your responses. I'm going to do some experimenting and see how it feels & how it sounds. Who knows, maybe what I have is already the ideal. Maybe I just have to play through the pain. (It's really more of an ache.)

Indeed, do continue to experiment with string gauges and brands.  Changing strings is the single biggest tonal influence one can make on an acoustic.

That said, also consider seeing a high-quality Taylor-auth guitar tech.  These guys are no magicians but are skilled in the best setup possible to meet an individual player's needs and playing styles.  There is no shortage of folks who have had their acoustics (and electrics) "transformed" by a tech who genuinely knows his craft; a well-setup guitar is a game changer for many. Just sayin

Edward