Revelation for a Light Strings User

[Grinning Boy]

Hi All,

I've had a recent great string experience I wanted to share.

I've always used light gauge 12s PB strings (lately Curt Mangan which are great).

Very recently I acquired a Breedlove Ed Gerhard signature Dread - Adirondack and Sapele. I absolutely LOVE it!

Anyway I've been looking at a lot of Ed Gerhard videos and in one he describes how he uses a combination of medium gauge strings for the low and high E and B strings with light gauges on the middle A, D and G strings. He said he used to do this buying two sets but D'Addario now offers this in a set (EJ24) it calls "True Medium Gauge"

I never would have been tempted to try any kind of medium gauge as I want to have low easy playing action and I didn't think they'd work for me. But hey, I listened to Ed on buying the guitar, so I thought I'd do the same on the strings. The result? Wow! Amazing. They are wonderful for my solo style (solo arrangements of pop, traditional and jazz tunes). The top two strings where the melody notes live just ring out true and strong and the low E bass just rumbles beautifully. The guitar seems so well balanced in volume and feel with them And I notice no difference in the the playability

I put a set of regular 12s back on to see if it was in my head and was stunned at the difference. I couldn't wait to put the EJ24s back on.

Anyway if you're looking for some different strings to experiment with I recommend you give these a try

[jim777]

Cool, thanks for the tip

[Rosewood99]

You might want to try martin medium lights. They literally are a gauge between lights and mediums.

[westman]

mediums too me are - but I wouldn't use the assertion of being 'True', different manufacturers have different ideas
e.g. DR Rares are - E 13 B 17 G 26 D 34 A 45 E 56
Newtone M/ Class -.013 .017 .026 .036 .046 .056
which one is 'Untrue'?.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by westman

mediums too me are - but I wouldn't use the assertion of being 'True', different manufacturers have different ideas....

"True Medium" refers to the balanced tension across all six strings (generally within +/- 0.5 lb.). If you check out the relative tensions on a standard 13-56 set you'll notice some major variations in the G/D/A strings; by using lighter gauges they're as close to equal as you're likely to get. The jury's still out on this one, though: some players swear by them, some swear at them, some couldn't give a crap...

[5th Element]

The EJ24 seem similar to the Pearse New Mediums, which I've tried. I like the volume and tonal balance, and the heavier low E works nicely on short-scale. They're a bit stiff for me, but something a half-gauge lower might work pretty well.

[rmsstrider]

I have used both the ej24's and the John Pearse New mediums. Prior to that I made my own sets (expensive that way) I have had very good luck with both. I told my local shop about these and they brought them in to try. Now they are stocking them and they move very quickly off the shelf.

[musicman1951]

Originally Posted by westman

mediums too me are - but I wouldn't use the assertion of being 'True', different manufacturers have different ideas
e.g. DR Rares are - E 13 B 17 G 26 D 34 A 45 E 56
Newtone M/ Class -.013 .017 .026 .036 .046 .056
which one is 'Untrue'?.

JP New Mediums are .013, .017, .024, .032, .042, .055

[musicman1951]

Originally Posted by musicman1951

JP New Mediums are .013, .017, .024, .032, .042, .055

Martin Retro Med/Lt LT's are 13, 17, 24, 32, 42, 56

I'm beginning to think the "new" sets are much ado over nothing.

[Methos1979]

Thanks for the tip. I've been thinking about trying some various medium gauge strings on my short scale 00 guitars as of late. I'm a big fan of Ed Gerhard as well. I'll add these to my list of strings to try.

[RodB]

Then there's Wyres CP1356P (DADGAD) 'Pierre Bensusan' coated PBs. These are similar gauges (13,17,23,32,42,56). I use these on one of my guitars, whether in alt tunings or standard, so plenty of options out there to try.

[HHP]

I mostly use Monel LJ's or John Pearse New Mediums. Most of my guitars have a powerful bass and these sets add balance by providing a bit of treble boost. I think everyone I have given a set to try has continued to use them.

[westman]

Ah, so they're manipulating the gauge of the core wire to give a 'balanced' tension, says so in their blurb.
DR have been doing this for decades, whats new.

[rokdog49]

There's no way I could use 13-56 strings on my acoustics.
I am probably in the minority here.

[Quebec Picker]

Great to know, thanks!