merseybeat1963 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 The theory has always been the thicker string drives the top better.. But under that kind of tension(pitch 440) maybe it just chokes the top & restructs its vibration...and gives ye a stiffer sound...in some cases..? Anyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GotTheSilver Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Yes, I have done this very recently. I had always used 13s on my J-45 Legend and Advanced Jumbo. I recently tried 11s on the J-45 and thought the guitar sounded more open, less constricted. I really have not noticed any loss in volume or tone. To the contrary, I think it sounds better. I have just put my first set of 11s on the AJ and it, too, sounds great with them. The bonus is that there is a bit less string tension, thus a bit easier to play. My experience is counter to everything I had always been led to believe. I had always heard, as you describe, that 13s would drive the top harder, give more volume, etc. But now I think the 13s were just choking these guitars and the 11s allow them to breathe more. I have since become a big proponent of lighter guage strings. If you haven't tried the 11s yet, just put some on and see what you think. You've got nothing to lose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 I think you describe it pretty good. I find that to be the case as you describe. A few things though: I think it's more rare for guitars, particularly accoustic, to like thinner strings and less tension than the other way around, but there does always seem to be a connection, a stopping point, where the guitar no longer gets louder or more 'clear' sounding with thicker strings. And I actually discovered this whole idea myself with an L-7 I have, which to my surprise, likes thinner strings. Besides that, there is a subjective thing as well that has to do with taste. Even just judging by sound alone, there are some things different about thinner strings than thicker that isn't the same as a guitar "choking out". For some guitars, (not all), I prefer the tone of the thinner strings just because, even though the guitar CAN still get louder and sound good with more tension. So, trying to say, besides the taste/preference thing, there IS something to some guitars reaching a tension limit at different points compared to other individual guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Yes, I have done this very recently. I had always used 13s on my J-45 Legend and Advanced Jumbo. I recently tried 11s on the J-45 and thought the guitar sounded more open, less constricted. I really have not noticed any loss in volume or tone. To the contrary, I think it sounds better. I have just put my first set of 11s on the AJ and it, too, sounds great with them. The bonus is that there is a bit less string tension, thus a bit easier to play. My experience is counter to everything I had always been led to believe. I had always heard, as you describe, that 13s would drive the top harder, give more volume, etc. But now I think the 13s were just choking these guitars and the 11s allow them to breathe more. I have since become a big proponent of lighter guage strings. If you haven't tried the 11s yet, just put some on and see what you think. You've got nothing to lose. What about 12's ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 This answer'll make ya' more kookoo...I like the 12's in summer, which I think bring both of my acoustics to life. I'm air conditioned for most of it, but still notice that the general warm season humidity slows my tops down a little. Winter is dry as hell in my house, around 25% humidity in the wood heat, even though the guitars stay far from the room with the stove. As soon as the static sparks start jumpin' off my fingertips I swap back out to 11's. Something like changing out snow and summer tires. The Dunlop 80/20's are my string dujour these days. Might try the EBall titanium coated after the CW sound clip from a day or two back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol fred Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 I switched to 11-52 about three years ago. I just had a setup done on one woody and the luthier switched back to 11-54's and it actually sounds much brighter. I think that it's subjective depending on how you feel on any given day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 What about 12's ? My thoughts exactly. 12's are my default strings for most flat tops, except for some specialty shorter-scale guitars. I prefer mediums (13's) on long scale guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 13s - tuned down a wholestep on the JB, and Half step on the SJ. Works for me. I put 12s on my J45, and tuned them down a half-step, were great, then son comes along to play it and he tunes her up to missionary position - I come back and tune it back down a half a step, and really having fits now keeping it in tune. Have a set of 11s on my campfire guitar, they're fine for what they are, but I'm not totally thrilled. I like the rumble I can coax out of the 13s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 My feelings too...more open and airy....BUT this sounds good on some guitars and not on others. Generally, lately I've been putting 11's on the smaller guitars, 12's on the bigger ones, and 13's on the ones I down tune to D#.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol fred Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 tunes her up to missionary position, Now that right there is funny. Used to be in a band called "The Rhythm Method" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Isaac Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 I had Gibson J200 12's on one of my 180's then put Martin/Cleartone 80/20 11's on it and it was so good. On another I switched from Masterbuilt 12's to Cleartone 80/20 11's and yep so much better. Might try Cleartone 10's and see how that sounds. A friend uses Elixir 10's on his Yamaha acoustic and it sounds great. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GotTheSilver Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 What about 12's ? I was originally planning to go from 13s to 12s, then see if I wanted to try 11s. Then at the last minute decided, f' it, I'll go straight to 11s. So I can't really answer the question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GotTheSilver Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 I think that it's subjective depending on how you feel on any given day I think this statement sums up a lot more about guitars than just strings! Admittedly, there are days that I think I would prefer the overall WHAM!!! of 13s, but all in all, I am sticking with the more open sound of the 11s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 i'll agree with the capo trouble somewhat and the risk of going slightly flat with too much left hand , amd also suffers a tiny bit when bit real hard ...., no real difference from 12's down to 11's in tone or volume. but back to 12's next string change for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambler Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 Whether an 11 set would work might depend on whether you stay up in std tuning and do a chimey strums or bends and things. If you are playing a more acoustic-oriented style (Travis picking, Piedmont, Celtic, blues or flat picking), you might not have enough weight. Unless you were tuning up from standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stubee Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 IME over a few dozen acoustic dreadnaughts I've never noticed a tone improvement going from 13s to 12s. Not once. I've got 12s on my J-45 now because I'm traveling, didn't want to change strings for a bit & had coated 12s. It sounds good but sure not better. I use 12s on my LG-2 & have done the same on every smaller flattop I've owned other than an excursion to 13s--made it a cannon--for a few months. Bellied the top a bit much for me. I honestly cannot imagine using 11s on any LG or J-sized guitar in good structural shape. I used them once on a Gibson with some issues but only cuz I had to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merseybeat1963 Posted February 23, 2013 Author Share Posted February 23, 2013 And less stress on the instrument as well. I went from .012's to .011's-.049 Pure Nickel on the L5CES ..and feel is just great. My electrics have always been Gibson 740 Strings which were packaged .009-.036... which they after 30 years they discontinued..(so I then ordered strings individually)..then, Gibson discontinued manufacturing strings all together..and Im gonna run out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towzend Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 I had a 70s Ovation legend that i always strung with 12s, untill one day i fitted a set of 11s and was amazed with the difference in the guitar, much more alive! and easyer to play.. The guy that bought it off me to this day still uses 11s, Ovation recomended 12s though & through.. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambler Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 re whether heavier strings "just chokes the top & restructs its vibration...and gives ye a stiffer sound...in some cases..?" Not sure I buy that. My sense is the average flattop is optimized for standard string pull (acoustic lights [.12] for L00s and OMs, meds [.13] for dreads and jumbos). They can negotiate higher or lower tensions. A heavier set puts you in the direction of punch and definition but not choke it (too much tension will pull the bridge off but that's another story). A boon for Travis style & flatpicking, Steve James has used a .14 set on his Collings L00 (C10) and he has been using the same box since the 90s. Lighter goes toward air and chime. Easier string bends (but watch your thing!). Mileage will vary depending on sale length, tunings used and so forth. Snap poll. How many of y'all who are using an .11 set also play electric with super slinkys? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merseybeat1963 Posted March 14, 2013 Author Share Posted March 14, 2013 .009-.036 Nickel Plated Steel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Not because they sounded better, but easier on my hands, and a little less tension on the vintage guitar necks.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnt Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Not because they sounded better, but easier on my hands, and a little less tension on the vintage guitar necks.... I'll go with easierr on the hands too Ever since The Great Karcher accident of 2010 I still feel the nerves in my left forefinger So it's 11s for acoustics,,9s for 335 and LPc and 8s for strat and tele Leaving the index finger free for the traffic wardens! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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