The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 10-26-2016, 06:01 AM
BRISTOL86 BRISTOL86 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: England
Posts: 285
Default String recommendation please

Hey folks

I haven't changed the strings on my Taylor 324 since I purchased it, I'm looking for a recommendation please on brand/type/gauge! Open to all suggestions as I'm still learning left from right when it comes to strings and have no predefined opinions on these things!

Though I think I'd like to try a different brand to what came on it (Elixir I think) just so I can compare!

Thanks
__________________
Martin 00-28 Reimagined
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-26-2016, 06:20 AM
ntotoro ntotoro is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: NoVa
Posts: 910
Default

What aspects are you looking to change with your tone?

Nick
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-26-2016, 06:36 AM
BRISTOL86 BRISTOL86 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: England
Posts: 285
Default

Being completely honest I've not been playing long enough and am nowhere near good enough at this stage to really be able to appreciate the subtleties in tone!

I just like trying new things and wondered if anyone swore by a particular type of string on this type of guitar
__________________
Martin 00-28 Reimagined
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-26-2016, 06:37 AM
BRISTOL86 BRISTOL86 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: England
Posts: 285
Default

If it helps I'm big in to John Mayer'a acoustic-y stuff at the moment. A bit of country/bluesy twang perhaps
__________________
Martin 00-28 Reimagined
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-26-2016, 06:40 AM
hrwagg hrwagg is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Ipswich, MA
Posts: 12
Default

I've tried lots of different strings, and each guitar reacts differently to each type. Your personal preference for sound and feel also comes into play and might not match the likes of others...that said, I've found the D'addario EJ16 to be a great all-around string that works well for a variety of players and guitars...until you find the set that works for you, have fun experimenting!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-26-2016, 06:44 AM
BRISTOL86 BRISTOL86 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: England
Posts: 285
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by hrwagg View Post
I've tried lots of different strings, and each guitar reacts differently to each type. Your personal preference for sound and feel also comes into play and might not match the likes of others...that said, I've found the D'addario EJ16 to be a great all-around string that works well for a variety of players and guitars...until you find the set that works for you, have fun experimenting!
Thanks! Have seen lots of people singing the praises of the EJ16s!
__________________
Martin 00-28 Reimagined
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-26-2016, 06:46 AM
ntotoro ntotoro is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: NoVa
Posts: 910
Default

I'd also try EJ16's on that guitar and see what you think.

Nick
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-26-2016, 06:47 AM
Oldguy64 Oldguy64 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Kansas City metro
Posts: 4,667
Default

I used to tell people to play what I play.
I use D'Addario EJ16's as a baseline.
To my ear they have a certain warmth, good tone, and evenness.
They are the Will Rogers of strings. They never met a guitar they didn't like.

Nowadays I tell people to take $50 and hit up Strings and Beyond. And pick a few different sets. Phosphor Bronze, 80/20, Monel, Nickel Bronze, aluminum bronze...try 11-52, 12-53, 12-54.

My PERSONAL practice is to play the lightest strings that will move the guitars top.
I have gout, and carpal tunnel. So it's also for easy playability. YMMV.
__________________
A bunch of guitars I really enjoy. A head full of lyrics,
A house full of people that “get” me.

Alvarez 5013
Alvarez MD70CE
Alvarez PD85S
Alvarez AJ60SC
Alvarez ABT610e
Alvarez-Yairi GY1
Takamine P3DC
Takamine GJ72CE-12-NAT
Godin Multiac Steel.
Journey Instruments OF660
Gibson G45
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-26-2016, 06:52 AM
BRISTOL86 BRISTOL86 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: England
Posts: 285
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldguy64 View Post
I used to tell people to play what I play.
I use D'Addario EJ16's as a baseline.
To my ear they have a certain warmth, good tone, and evenness.
They are the Will Rogers of strings. They never met a guitar they didn't like.

Nowadays I tell people to take $50 and hit up Strings and Beyond. And pick a few different sets. Phosphor Bronze, 80/20, Monel, Nickel Bronze, aluminum bronze...try 11-52, 12-53, 12-54.

My PERSONAL practice is to play the lightest strings that will move the guitars top.
I have gout, and carpal tunnel. So it's also for easy playability. YMMV.
Sound advice! Playability also a big deal here because of my inexperience.

Might be a stupid question but are there any gauges that are a 'no-go' on my sized guitar?
__________________
Martin 00-28 Reimagined
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-26-2016, 07:00 AM
ntotoro ntotoro is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: NoVa
Posts: 910
Default

Since you have a Taylor GA, I'd try lights first. Use just enough string to get the top moving and you'll get the best combination of tone and playability.

Nick
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10-26-2016, 07:08 AM
BRISTOL86 BRISTOL86 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: England
Posts: 285
Default

Thanks Nick
__________________
Martin 00-28 Reimagined
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 10-26-2016, 07:16 AM
ntotoro ntotoro is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: NoVa
Posts: 910
Default

No prob...
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 10-26-2016, 07:21 AM
Oldguy64 Oldguy64 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Kansas City metro
Posts: 4,667
Wink

Quote:
Originally Posted by BRISTOL86 View Post
Sound advice! Playability also a big deal here because of my inexperience.

Might be a stupid question but are there any gauges that are a 'no-go' on my sized guitar?
I am not partial to mediums (13-56).
Granted they will really drive a top with little right hand effort,
When I had a GS mini, I found that if I played with any real effort they made the guitar sound muddy.
I played 11-52's most of the time. I did move up to 12-53's but they don't seem to provide any more volume. And I play amplified a lot, so unplugged volume is a moot point as long as the top moves.
I'm about to change the strings on my favorite dread.
It's an old 5013 Alvarez with small frets that aren't overly tall.
It will get 11-52's. But I have played it with 11-50's, with good results.

With a Taylor x14's you can drive the top with EJ16's.
I believe the 11-52's are EJ26's.
The other thing about the EJ's...if it turns out that you really like them, you can buy in bulk. They are about $44 for a ten-pack.
__________________
A bunch of guitars I really enjoy. A head full of lyrics,
A house full of people that “get” me.

Alvarez 5013
Alvarez MD70CE
Alvarez PD85S
Alvarez AJ60SC
Alvarez ABT610e
Alvarez-Yairi GY1
Takamine P3DC
Takamine GJ72CE-12-NAT
Godin Multiac Steel.
Journey Instruments OF660
Gibson G45
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 10-26-2016, 07:40 AM
rokdog49 rokdog49 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 13,538
Default

Strings, strings, strings.
I would suggest you try a variety of strings. Folks here on the the AGF are great about suggestions based on experience. You certainly can use those suggestions.

When it comes to your specific Taylor, since it is Mahogany and Blackwood, it will inherently be warmer and darker than an 814 as an example. If you like the way it sounds and I assume you do because you bought it, the reason to try something else in this case seems to be for the fun of it or to find "the perfect strings for your ears. That may take some time. I suggest you need to hear from fellow owners of that specific guitar and see what they like.
__________________
Nothing bothers me unless I let it.

Martin D18
Gibson J45
Gibson J15
Fender Copperburst Telecaster
Squier CV 50 Stratocaster
Squier CV 50 Telecaster
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 10-26-2016, 08:49 AM
CatfishJack CatfishJack is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3
Default

I like Martin lights for price, the cheap ones,

I just took some daddadario lights off, they got grooves from tge frets really fast, i didnt like sound.

Elixers are awesome

Guitar center has Martin Sps on sale on the websight-for $2-4 i never tried them, but normally it's a $14 set of strings, id buy a few packs of diffrent sized gages imo, I did
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:39 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=