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Post by richard321 on Aug 28, 2017 18:39:12 GMT
Hi there has anyone ever used extra light strings on there acoustic ? Im playing a epiphone texan and i fancy trying some elixir 10s . I know this will be a lot thiner from the 12s im using but i just think it will be easier on my fingers would i lose a lot of bass end or hardly notice a difference in tone .i know i will feel a difference .but im hoping i dont hear a lack of bass if you understand me and the sound does not go all thin and really tinny Can someone give me advice thanks richard
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lifesalaugh
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Post by lifesalaugh on Aug 28, 2017 19:35:16 GMT
Hi Richard, I can remember using earthwood extra lights on an old ibanaz 12 string guitar in the eighties always loved the sound don't know about on a 6 string lowest I would go is 11s.
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mandovark
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Post by mandovark on Aug 28, 2017 19:41:29 GMT
Hi Richard, I don't think I've ever used 10s, but I have used 11s a few times in the past and usually got on ok with them. In my experience, lighter strings are ok as long as you don't want to tune down at all. I mostly use mediums these days because I prefer them for dropped tunings. Really, though, the only way to know whether a string will suit your guitar is to give it a go - what sounds right on one guitar can sound lousy on another. Best advice is just give it a try and see what you think. If you're worried about tinniness, I'd suggest using the phosphor bronze elixirs - the 80/20 bronze always sound over-bright to me, and the PB might just take the edge off any thinnness in the sound. Happy experimenting
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Post by malcolm on Aug 28, 2017 19:53:02 GMT
Hi there, I would guess that 10's on your guitar will sound very thin, but it's only going to cost you a tenner to find out. I only put 11's on very lightly built guitars otherwise 12's. If your fingers are hurting perhaps a setup would be a good idea,
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Post by richard321 on Aug 28, 2017 19:58:18 GMT
Thanks for the replys guys i.ll let you know what i deside
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brianr2
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Post by brianr2 on Aug 28, 2017 20:16:56 GMT
Another option is low tension strings such as Newtone Heritage . See HERE. Brian
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Post by vikingblues on Aug 29, 2017 6:27:11 GMT
+1 on the Newtone Heritage ... 12s that feel like 11s. I also have a guitar that is very happy with Thomastik Infeld AC111 Plectrum strings, which are a low tension variant on 11s.
It does depend on the guitar too. Some guitars seem to be more tolerant of lighter gauge and don't exhibit so much change in sound.
It also depends how much bass you like of course. There's a good few guitars I've played that I wished had less bass booming away and a better balanced sound.
Mark
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Aug 29, 2017 9:38:37 GMT
The Newtone Heritage (low tension) set is certainly a good way to go, but also try their normal Masterclass 11-52. These, also being round core, "feel" more flexible and do feel easier to play than the equivalent gauge Elixirs which are extremely inflexible IMHO. The Newtones also sound much better on most guitars to my ears - no "tinny" sounds at all.
Keith
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Aug 29, 2017 9:44:10 GMT
Richard,
I put Thomastik extra light gauge strings on a Taylor GS Mini for my daughter (0.010 I believe), and they sound great. Nice, rich, full sound.
Trouble is, they are very low tension, which is fine if that is what you are looking for, but for me, the feel wasn't right at all. I could play the guitar, but I had to alter how I attacked the strings a bit, and certainly had to pay more attention to left hand placement, as it was easy to pull the strings too much, putting them out of tune when fretted.
I second (or is it third, or fourth?) the recommendation of Newtone strings.
Martin
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2017 11:15:34 GMT
I see Newtone have brought out a Ralph McTell signature set- 11 to 52 I think. They them. Newtone are a lot easier to play and sound great.
Robbie
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Aug 29, 2017 11:19:26 GMT
I see Newtone have brought out a Ralph McTell signature set- 11 to 52 I think. They them. Newtone are a lot easier to play and sound great. Robbie The RT set is just the usual 11-52 repackaged. Keith
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Post by earwighoney on Aug 29, 2017 11:38:38 GMT
I know this will be a lot thiner from the 12s im using but i just think it will be easier on my fingers would i lose a lot of bass end or hardly notice a difference in tone . I have no idea what your guitar might be like but it comes to making things easier for the fingers in addition to paying attention to strings I'd recommend having the guitar set up by a tech if needs be. Saddle height, relief and string height at the nut make a huge difference. My Epiphone (electric) required the string height at the nut to be lowered and after I lowered the slots, the difference was immense - the guitar was so much easier to play.
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on Aug 29, 2017 14:31:37 GMT
I see Newtone have brought out a Ralph McTell signature set- 11 to 52 I think. They them. Newtone are a lot easier to play and sound great. Robbie The RT set is just the usual 11-52 repackaged. Keith Yes but they probably re-package them somwhere down the streets of London
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2017 15:23:07 GMT
The Newtones also sound much better on most guitars to my ears - no "tinny" sounds at all. Keith I'll show you something that'll make you change your mind
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Aug 29, 2017 15:43:36 GMT
The Newtones also sound much better on most guitars to my ears - no "tinny" sounds at all. Keith I'll show you something that'll make you change your mind
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