Changed the strings on my new 618e just for grins (and requests) to determine what effect light strings may have on attack, tone, volume and sustain. The results were pretty much what I expected. Less volume, less sustain and tone is not nearly as rich. It still responds very well with a light attack. But let me put this in perspective ...
Without consideration of tonewoods (cause that would be in the too-hard-box), my old GS was louder and throatier (is that a word?) than my GA. I could feel the bass notes more than with the GA (like in my torso). Both have the wonderful Taylor tone with the nice round trebles with shimmer at the higher frequencies. I would say the GS tended a little more toward the bass side. Medium gauge strings on the GS and light gauge on the GA.
Along comes the GO and it is strong. I mean strong like you can feel it has muscles! More bass (even in maple) than the GS but this incredible balance bass to treble. Every note clear and round. And it takes very little physical effort (light touch) to get the sweet spot. Medium gauge strings on the GO.
When I changed to light strings the GO now has bass about the level of the GS but still better than the GA. The volume, projection and sustain is reduced ... more like the GA than the GS. Tone is still excellent and the light touch is still sufficient to get the top moving. Obviously it is easier to fret. Bottom line ... I could leave it this way and have a GA sounding guitar with a little more bass. Nah, I think I'm gonna re-string with the mediums and get that big rich voice back.
I think at the next string change I may try the light-mediums where the 4th to 6th strings are sized like mediums and the 1st to 3rd are like the lights. That will be a while.
So there you have it. Not really a surprise for me. I had a similar experience when I put lights on the GS. Easier to play but a reduction in overall sound. I put mediums back on my GS too.
YMMV
