Author Topic: Medium strings for 714ce  (Read 2678 times)

fniensta

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Medium strings for 714ce
« on: May 19, 2016, 12:41:50 AM »
Taylor recommends using light strings for the GA/X14 guitars.

Any downside, structural issues using heavier gauge (medium) set of strings?

Please share your experiences.

Thanks

Federico

Earl

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Re: Medium strings for 714ce
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2016, 10:33:43 AM »
Been using mediums for years on my 414ce with no issues.  As I recall, I did not even need a truss rod adjustment.  The guitars can certainly handle it.

I have strong hands and a fairly heavy touch, so I like the extra tension and extra sound output from driving the top a little bit harder.  I often tune down too, so I started using mediums to avoid floppy strings.  My latest string order was a few sets of Elixir medium-lights (medium on the bass side, lights on the treble side) just to have a few of those on hand.  Sometimes I like the feel of lights too, especially if I happen to be working on new pieces and playing a lot of repetitions.  Just so you know, mediums tuned down one whole step D-d have almost exactly the same total tension as lights tuned E-e.
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*Gone but not forgotten:  a 2001 414ce, 410, 354-LTD twelve string, 314-N, 416-LTD baritone, T5 Classic, 615ce, 2006 GS-K, 1996 (first year) Baby

Jersey tuning

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Re: Medium strings for 714ce
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2016, 01:25:16 PM »
Certainly there have been no issues using Elixir HD light set (approx medium 1st-3rd strings, light 4th-6th strings) or John Pearse's "New Medium" set (Medium 1st,2nd,6th strings, Light 3rd,4th, and 5th strings).     Taylor currently strings up their GC's and GA's with HD lights
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jima9426

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Re: Medium strings for 714ce
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2016, 09:33:56 PM »
Any downside, structural issues using heavier gauge (medium) set of strings?

First, absolutely none. Any steel string guitar worth that designation can handle mediums with no problem. Second, Taylor actually recommends HD Light strings which is a mixed gauge set. I've become a real HD Light believer and play them on almost everything, even my dreads.
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Peachlander77

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Re: Medium strings for 714ce
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2016, 02:07:33 AM »
I like HD Lights too as opposed to Mediums but if you're strumming more, I can see why mediums might be an attractive option too.