Custom lights on a T5?

[Byrdsman]

I just bought a T5-x Ovangkol and I really like the guitar but not the strings. Especially the unwound G string. Since it's built like an acoustic with an acoustic bridge, why couldn't I put Elixir custom lights on it. In other words, instead of 11-49s it would have 11-52s. I think the big E would still fit in the nut. Has anyone else done this and if so did it work OK? I have custom lights on my 414ce and my 324 and they really sound great and I really like the feel of them. Thanks!

[BobSol]

Hi Byrdsman
                     I can save you considerable time and frustration here. I've tried just about every string set you can think of trying to get a "warmer" acoustic tone from my T5. Even had a new nut made to accomodate heavier strings. It was all an expensive waste of time. Now I'm no expert, so please don't hit me with technical answers, I'm just speaking from experience. The pick ups on a T5 are designed to work with electric strings i.e. steel and if you fit bronze or 80/20's the clarity just disappears to a muddy mush. You can fit any string set with a wound G as long as it's an electric set not acoustic, and the nut accepts them of course. Once you're comfortable with the strings they are an absolute joy to create your own sound electronically and I got the warmer sound I was looking for just using a decent quality amp for home use, a Roland AC60 has more than enough whistles and bells to keep me amused. Hope that helps.   Bob

[Byrdsman]

Hi Byrdsman
                     I can save you considerable time and frustration here. I've tried just about every string set you can think of trying to get a "warmer" acoustic tone from my T5. Even had a new nut made to accomodate heavier strings. It was all an expensive waste of time. Now I'm no expert, so please don't hit me with technical answers, I'm just speaking from experience. The pick ups on a T5 are designed to work with electric strings i.e. steel and if you fit bronze or 80/20's the clarity just disappears to a muddy mush. You can fit any string set with a wound G as long as it's an electric set not acoustic, and the nut accepts them of course. Once you're comfortable with the strings they are an absolute joy to create your own sound electronically and I got the warmer sound I was looking for just using a decent quality amp for home use, a Roland AC60 has more than enough whistles and bells to keep me amused. Hope that helps.   Bob

Thanks Bob, that's just the answer I was looking for. I'll find a set of electric strings with a wound G.

[dcopper]

The key is move up to a 12-52 set of Elixir electrics with a wound G.
Resolves your tuning issues and gives a fuller, rounder tone to your T5.
The electronics were designed to use either acoustic or electric strings. I find that the electric strings cover both areas of tone better than the acoustic strings.
I also added an LR Baggs Element active and used the second strap pin for the output.
Now a T6, and gives me a bit more options and flexibility.
IF I ever replace it I will probably use K&K PWM instead of the Element Active.
The biggest thing you can do is go up one gauge and use a wound G.
davidc

[je00143]

I have been playing for a long time.  For the bulk of that time, I have used D'Addario flat wound strings on my Gibsons, Fenders, Heritages, Ovations.  Now, this may border
on heresy, but I put a set of DA Chromes 12-52 on my T5-z.  Obviously, since they are flats, there is no finger squeak at all.  On the other side, I can get infinite different sounds with the five
switch settings, plus messing with the tone controls.  I do everything from backing a female vocalist with a trio to big band rhythm to (a little) shredding, just to show the rockers
that jazz guys can play fast if they really have to.

I am so pleased with the T5z that I am down to it and a 1958 Gibson ES-140T ¾ that I bought new in 1960.  Everything else is gone.  And I am very happy!