.013's on a J45

[The dman]

Hey guys

 

Just wondering if anyone prefers .13's on their J45. I've read that some people say it can choke them and wanted to know if this has been your experience.

 

I know I can just try a set but am not sure if that would mean getting the guitar setup for the new gauge. I have to admit the .12's are kinder to these old hands but I used .13's forever and am just curious at this point

 

I currently use DR Rare or Sunbeams mediums .12 and just threw on a set of Gibson Masterbuilts '12's to audition again and I think I like the DR's better so I'm wondering if the .13 Sunbeams would be a better choice because of the lower tension of the string or if this guitar isn't meant for mediums

 

 

 

Thanks

[Hall]

dman, I gave up on medium strings years ago when I went to finger picking. But, whatever fits yourself and your guitar is the way to go. Ever try Pearse or Earthwoods?

 

Steve

[The dman]

dman, I gave up on medium strings years ago when I went to finger picking. But, whatever fits yourself and your guitar is the way to go. Ever try Pearse or Earthwoods?

 

Steve

 

Never tried Earthwoods but I did try a set of Pearse and found them to be a bit quiet even though everyone says the opposite, I did plan on trying a set again though.

[duluthdan]

I don't think you would need any major set up adjustments to go to 13s. I played 13's on my J-45, but tuned down a half-step and they were fine, I now play Martin Lifespan 12's on it, tuned down half a step, and they sound fine. If you want to generate a low end growl, try the 13's, they're pretty fun.

[jchabalk]

i tried .13s on my J45 and ended up going back to .12s after a couple of months, i didn't dig them - they were "stiff" is maybe the way i would describe it.

 

i put them on my SJ-200 a few years ago though and haven't looked back - i love them. i wondered if maybe it has to do with the different tensions between a long-scale and short-scale guitar? I might be making that up too.

[The dman]

i tried .13s on my J45 and ended up going back to .12s after a couple of months, i didn't dig them - they were "stiff" is maybe the way i would describe it.

 

i put them on my SJ-200 a few years ago though and haven't looked back - i love them. i wondered if maybe it has to do with the different tensions between a long-scale and short-scale guitar? I might be making that up too.

 

Yea I noticed the Masterbuilts are stiffer than the DR's I was using so maybe I need to stay where I am. I get sweet bass but if anything I wish I had more girth from the sound of the E and B strings

 

Thanks everyone for your input

[SC_Wannabe]

I go back and forth over which gauge strings I like best on my J50. With some 13's it seems like it loses a lot of that Gibson magic tone, but some brands of 12's sound thin. Right now I've got DR Rare 13's on it and it sounds about perfect. They don't choke the sound at all, and give the guitar a lot of focus. They make it play a bit stiff though. I mainly flatpick and strum, so fingerpickers may not like them as well.

[EuroAussie]

Tried it and came to the conclusion the 13's choke the tone too much, especially in the bottom end. 12's seem to hit the sweetspot.

[Stubee]

Interesting. I've used 13s for decades. Have 12s on mine now because I wanted a coated set for travel and that's the gauge I had. They are 'OK' but I get a 'wolf note' going when fretting the D & G string. Fine for lighter strumming etc.

 

I pick pretty hard & prefer 13s.

[Pegleg]

I don't think you would need any major set up adjustments to go to 13s. I played 13's on my J-45, but tuned down a half-step and they were fine, I now play Martin Lifespan 12's on it, tuned down half a step, and they sound fine. If you want to generate a low end growl, try the 13's, they're pretty fun.

 

Ditto on 13's and tuning down 1/2 step... I do the same thing, love the 13's on my J45 rosewood. I use the Gibson master Built. I understand what some are saying about the tension choking the tone though, I dropped down to 12's on my Jackson Browne and it opened up the guitar noticeably, made it easier to play also.

[CAMELEYE]

Here's a little trick I figured out way back in the folk years. I use lights but replace the high b and e with mediums ( .017s and .013s respectively). I think it picks up the trebles some and allows for a better snap when I hit 'em with a pick. Ce

[Guth]

I prefer 13s (D'Addorio EJ17 PB) on my J-45TV and have stuck with that setup since 2008. I run 13s on my longer scale AJs as well, although I switched over to Martin PB Lifespans on the rosewood AJ.

 

At times I like to dig in pretty firmly when playing and on a dread-sized guitar I think the 13s do a better job of driving the soundboard to it's full potential. I have played other dread-sized guitars in the past that seemed to choke up with 13s. Those guitars don't tend to really do much for me personally.

 

On a smaller guitar like my 000, I stick with 12s..

 

All just personal preference of course.

[The dman]

Here's a little trick I figured out way back in the folk years. I use lights but replace the high b and e with mediums ( .017s and .013s respectively). I think it picks up the trebles some and allows for a better snap when I hit 'em with a pick. Ce

 

I was thinking about giving that a try because after I thought about it and read some thoughts here I don't want to go all mediums

 

As far as coated stings I've just never been a fan

 

Thanks for all you thoughts you guys are awesome

[charlesinsc]

-

[mountainpicker]

I'm mostly a 12's guy as I like the more slinky feel. I rely on the guitar to give me the volume I need or want if I lean on it a bit and is just one of many reasons I like a J45/50. I only use 13's when I go with nickel strings as they use less tension that pb's or 80/20's in the medium guage so I get a lot of medium guage qualities but enjoy light guage-like attributes too.