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Post by Derick on Feb 25, 2023 20:28:58 GMT
This rant is related to my Tanglewood Koa guitar, it will more than likely make me the odd ball.
When i bought my Tanglewood Koa guitar , it was fitted with Elixir 12s Phosphor Bronze strings, 2 days later replaced the strings with Elixir 11s Phosphor Bronze strings, a few weeks later replaced the strings with Martin Authentic 12s Phosphor Bronze. Last night was looking through my string collection, and found a packet of Martin Authentic 10s Phosphor Bronze strings, though these strings won't sound to good on this guitar, but I was totally wrong, they sound and play beautiful, little loss of volume, great sustain and makes the guitar a pleasure to play, this is related to playing fingerpicking style, just for my own amusement, on my own. So unless I change my mind 10s gauge strings are what I will be using on this guitar for the foreseeable future. End of rant. Any one else use 10s gauge strings, or am I on my own.
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Phil Taylor
C.O.G.
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Post by Phil Taylor on Feb 26, 2023 8:20:49 GMT
Interesting post but I suspect you may be on your own. I haven't tried anything less than 12's and doubt I will at the moment unless I develop hand problems but I'd go the low tension route first I think having already tried them.
Phil
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Post by grayn on Feb 26, 2023 8:40:40 GMT
Yeah I do. On my Les Paul.
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Post by Derick on Feb 26, 2023 10:31:42 GMT
Interesting post but I suspect you may be on your own. I haven't tried anything less than 12's and doubt I will at the moment unless I develop hand problems but I'd go the low tension route first I think having already tried them. Phil Hi Phil I used 12s gauge strings for years, then started using 11s gauge strings, and didn't notice that much difference, except the guitar was more pleasant to play. Then a few years ago, just for the fun of it, I bought a set of 10s gauge strings, then when I got home I chickened out, and just left them in the draw, then one day feeling a bit brave and ready for a string change, I did it, yes, I fitted the 10s gauge strings, and in my opinion they were far better than I expected, and the guitar was even more pleasant to play. But I know only real men only play 13s gauge strings. 95% of my playing is fingerpicking style, just for my own amusement.
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Post by Derick on Feb 26, 2023 10:33:42 GMT
Yeah I do. On my Les Paul. Hi Grayn Yes I hear you, I use 9s gauge strings on my Fender Stratocaster.
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Post by surfguy13 on Feb 26, 2023 11:22:39 GMT
If your Tanglewood has koa back and sides I would stick to phosphor bronze as koa is quite a bright percussive wood. PB strings are a little warmer and more forgiving. I use low tension (round core) strings which give you feel of a lighter string but, in my opinion sound amazing. Totally different from a hex core string. Maybe worth trying a set. I toggle between Newtone Masterclass Round Core PB strings in 11-50 and DR Sunbeams, also round core/low tension, in 11-50 PB. I love the Martin Authentic strings but sadly they don't do a set in 11-50, with or without round cores. They last ages and sound wonderful. I think you will find that a PB set of either the the DR or Newtons strings in 11-50 will feel and play like the Martin Authentic 10s......if not better!
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colins
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 2,321
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Post by colins on Feb 26, 2023 14:14:12 GMT
On standard tune guitars I always used PB 11-53, usually Martin Custom light or the D'Addario custom light, they always seemed to be the best balanced sets to my ears. I found that 12s had zero benefit over the 11s for tone and just made my guitars less responsive. All of the steel string guitars I made were built for these and always shipped with these strings on and a spare set in the case. That said if I was building for flat pickers then I'd probably put 12s on, but my guitars were for finger players, so 11-53 it was.
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Post by lavaman on Feb 26, 2023 16:20:08 GMT
Interesting post but I suspect you may be on your own. I haven't tried anything less than 12's and doubt I will at the moment unless I develop hand problems but I'd go the low tension route first I think having already tried them. Phil Hi Phil I used 12s gauge strings for years, then started using 11s gauge strings, and didn't notice that much difference, except the guitar was more pleasant to play. Me too. Over the last 12 months I've moved from EJ16s (12-53) to EJ26s (11-52). As you say, 11s are easier to play with no difference in tone. Iain
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Phil Taylor
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Post by Phil Taylor on Feb 26, 2023 19:36:26 GMT
Hi Phil I used 12s gauge strings for years, then started using 11s gauge strings, and didn't notice that much difference, except the guitar was more pleasant to play. Me too. Over the last 12 months I've moved from EJ16s (12-53) to EJ26s (11-52). As you say, 11s are easier to play with no difference in tone. Iain Thanks Iain
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Post by vikingblues on Feb 27, 2023 19:53:29 GMT
I use 11's on my all mahogany Tanglewood parlour and for others generally low tension Newtone Heritage 12's which are equivalent to normal 11's in tension.
So I'm nearly down at 10s, but not quite.
Mark
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Post by newdave on Feb 27, 2023 22:15:56 GMT
I put some Martin Retro 10s on my Larrive Silver Oak and I thought it sounded amazing. Super easy to play too.
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Post by curmudgeon on Mar 15, 2023 8:54:05 GMT
FWIW, I use two gauges :
Mediums (mostly EJ17s or MN550) on my dreads, my jumbo, and nickels (EJ22 or Nickel Bronze) on my archtops, and resonator.
Lights (Ej16 or MN540) on my 000, 00, and 0. On my two 12 strings EJ37 and M190. 12/12 - 30/54 (tuned down to D).
It seems that there is always someone on the AGF declaring that another make is wonderful, and, if available in the UK , I try them, but go back to D'adds or Martins.
On Monday I changed the strings on my D12-20 and my Collings dread, then I had an afternoon nap!
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Post by dreadnought28 on Mar 15, 2023 13:29:28 GMT
I’d try custom lights before going down to 10s
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Post by scorpiodog on Mar 17, 2023 10:59:41 GMT
Ever since I first saw this thread, it put me in mind of this video. It appeared again in my YT feed this morning, so I thought I'd share it here.
It does need good speakers or headphones.
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