Medium or Light Strings?

[Eugenius]

Just got a delicious new D-35 (lovin it), which of course comes setup for mediums.

I like elixir nano lights but would have to get a new nut cut for lights.

I'm wondering if mediums will make that big of a difference, what do you guys think? Med's or Lights?

[jpfeiff]

Well, your fingers might get a little more sore, and you may not be able to bend notes as easily, if you are doing that to begin with. The mediums will generlaly give you more volume and a fuller bass sound, which is what dreads are all about! I say stick with the mediums!

[L20A]

No need for a new nut.
Lights will work fine on the existing nut.
You may have to adjust the action a bit.
A tweek of the truss rod may be needed.

With that said,
why not stay with the mediums suggested for the guitar?
Medium strings will sound the best and bring out the most in your guitar.

Play the mediums for a month or two and you won't even noitce that you are playing mediums.

[Mandarb]

Originally Posted by jpfeiff

Well, your fingers might get a little more sore, and you may not be able to bend notes as easily, if you are doing that to begin with. The mediums will generlaly give you more volume and a fuller bass sound, which is what dreads are all about! I say stick with the mediums!

+1

It is set up with mediums for a reason.

[Cubanismo]

I rock mediums on my D-35 and have no intention of switching to lights.

[rmyAddison]

Yep,

the nut should be fine.

Martins do not like coated strings, any brand, stay with mediums if you can and try DR Sunbeams or Martin SP's, Elixers will muddy it up (been there).

Enjoy your D-35!!!

[Eugenius]

Originally Posted by rmyAddison

Yep,

the nut should be fine.

Martins do not like coated strings, any brand, stay with mediums if you can and try DR Sunbeams or Martin SP's, Elixers will muddy it up (been there).

Enjoy your D-35!!!

Thanks Rich, but I think you are the one who doesn't like coated strings, not the guitar! I'll give your precious Sunbeams a whirl if I find a set!

[Ken C]

Originally Posted by Eugenius

Just got a delicious new D-35 (lovin it), which of course comes setup for mediums.

I like elixir nano lights but would have to get a new nut cut for lights.

I'm wondering if mediums will make that big of a difference, what do you guys think? Med's or Lights?

I use mediums on everything, and that includes my 3/4-size guitar. The lights that were on it were cute for bending but I am not going to have the loss of bass, volume, sustain, etc. that I would suffer with lights.

Ken C.

[rmyAddison]

Originally Posted by Eugenius

Thanks Rich, but I think you are the one who doesn't like coated strings, not the guitar! I'll give your precious Sunbeams a whirl if I find a set!

No, my Martin's have "told me" they don't like coated strings, usually late at night after a few glasses of wine...........

[sharkydude50]

Stay with mediums. I think they vibrate the top better than lights will. Might wind up sounding a bit thin with lights on 'er. JMO however.

[rlouie]

Originally Posted by rmyAddison

Yep,

the nut should be fine.

Martins do not like coated strings, any brand, stay with mediums if you can and try DR Sunbeams or Martin SP's, Elixers will muddy it up (been there).

Enjoy your D-35!!!

Rich is right!!!!! try the DR Sunbeams 13-56 heavy, they feel like lights but sound like heavy's, easy to bend and don't feel as thick as normal mediums or heavy's .........

http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/drsuphbracgu.html

[Eugenius]

Originally Posted by rmyAddison

No, my Martin's have "told me" they don't like coated strings, usually late at night after a few glasses of wine...........

and an acid flashback!?!

[Eugenius]

Originally Posted by rlouie

Rich is right!!!!! try the DR Sunbeams 13-56 heavy, they feel like lights but sound like heavy's, easy to bend and don't feel as thick as normal mediums or heavy's .........

Are you a believer now as well Louie? I know you have some Martins in your stable.

[rlouie]

Originally Posted by Eugenius

Are you a believer now as well Louie? I know you have some Martins in your stable.

you betcha, I never tried them until Rich told me about them, they are really great strings and this coming from a guy that used coated strings only. They are really worth a try and at $6.95 a set you can't afford not to try them!!!!!

[Ranger1964]

I tried 'em all on my HD-28. It didn't like anything but Martin Sp mediums. I put Elixirs on it, and I have to say, it told me that it hated coated strings. I put Martin lights on it twice and both sets came of in less than 2 days.