Lowest String Gauge that will work on a Taylor 414ce-R

[cwgatti]

What is the lightest string gauge that you can use on a Taylor 414-ceR?

[Edward]

The lightest string gauge that "works" is the one that you are ok with. 

Going heavier may present problems with the bridge and top (lots of variance there mind you).  But going to lower-tension strings means the top is not going to be "driven" and vibrate as much as with the set it was designed for.  A guitar's top is shaved and braced --thus designed baked in-- with this tension in mind.  Deviate from that design and you get different results of which only your ears can decide is an improvement.  Also, your setup will likely change due to less tension on the neck and you may have to/want to make a mild adjustment to the truss rod to compensate.

Ok, that was the long answer.  The GA body guits were designed for lights (12-53), so going to 11s ain't going to hurt anything so give it a try.  May I ask what is your goal here?

Edward

[donlyn]

If I remember correctly, for quite a few years Taylor shipped out the Grand Concerts and the Grand Auditoriums with an HD gauge set.
(.013, .017, .025, .032, .042, .053),
which combines Medium unwound trebles, a tweener G string and Light bass strings on that set.

I use that gauge a lot on most of my six string guitars, large or small, unless they object to it. My Grand Concerts love it.

Don

[Earl]

Most of my Taylor guitars have been GA's or some variant of the x14 model.  Each one has at times worn either light gauge (53-12) or medium gauge (56-13) depending on what I wanted to do with them.  The alternate tunings that I use often need heavier strings as you tune the bass strings down a whole step - or more.  I have never tried anything lighter than 53-12 on mine.  The downsides are the potential for buzz as you play and maybe some intonation issues. 

It is easy to try a regular light gauge set tuned down a half-step across the board to Eb.  That takes the total tension from ~165 pounds down to ~150 pounds, a good simulation of XL gauges.  We presume you are looking for lighter gauge strings for ease of play??

[cwgatti]

I am looking for a little easier to play gauge. I like the 12 fret guitars as they seem to be easier to play. It feels like the string tension is lower (tho some may say that isn't true). But I have a nice 414ce. I'm wondering if I go down to .11 gauge it will make a big enough difference...

Thanks for the responses.

[DennisG]

I am looking for a little easier to play gauge. I like the 12 fret guitars as they seem to be easier to play. It feels like the string tension is lower (tho some may say that isn't true). But I have a nice 414ce. I'm wondering if I go down to .11 gauge it will make a big enough difference...

Thanks for the responses.

I think Taylor's 12-fret guitars have the same scale length as any of their other short-scale guitars.  They accomplish this by moving the bridge to a lower position on the top.  So, all other things being equal, a 12-fret guitar should provide the same kind of string tension as their 14-fret grand concerts.

[Edward]

I am looking for a little easier to play gauge. I like the 12 fret guitars as they seem to be easier to play. It feels like the string tension is lower (tho some may say that isn't true). But I have a nice 414ce. I'm wondering if I go down to .11 gauge it will make a big enough difference...

Yessiree, going to 11s will absolutely make a considerable difference in feel. Not only in less tension in the strings, but that decreased tension will also reduce the neck relief a tad (less bow), which will bring your action down a bit.  Try it, play it a bunch, and see what you hear.  It is possible you may need a slight tweak of the truss rod, but live with the new gauge for at least a day or two and reassess.

Edward

[Earl]

I like the 12 fret guitars as they seem to be easier to play. It feels like the string tension is lower (tho some may say that isn't true).

Short scale, twelve fret, long scale, and fourteen fret are all independent of one another.  This is often confused.  You can have SS 12-fret and SS 14-fret necks.  You can also have LS 12-fret and LS 14-fret necks.  Shorter scale lengths will have lower tension for the same string gauge and tuned to the same pitch.  A twelve-fret body join may also put the bridge into a sweeter spot on the top (richer tone) and bring the nut in closer to your body.  The latter will affect playing comfort, in addition to reduced tension.