Who Uses Light Gauge Strings On Their Martin D-35?

L20A · #1 03-13-2022, 11:57 AM

Now that I'm 70 years old, I am ready to try light gauge strings on some of my guitars.
Looking to make it easier to fret them.

For those of you that use light gauge strings on your Martin D-35 guitars, have you noticed mush of a loss of volume?

Would you recommend using light gauge strings on a D-35?
Why and/or why not?

CollingsPicker · #2 03-13-2022, 12:32 PM

I don’t have one but I would not hesitate to use lights on any dread that was built to make great sound with lights. OR, if I needed to down-size strings for playing comfort.

fartamis · #3 03-13-2022, 12:32 PM

I don't have a D35, but I always install light strings on my dreads. I tried medium a few times but found it sounded too muffled. With light strings the loss of volume is insignificant and it is much more airy. Also, a very slightly quieter but brighter sound will always cut the mix better than a slightly louder but more muffled sound. And as a bonus you also have the ease of play.

AZLiberty · #4 03-13-2022, 12:34 PM

I have lights (EJ-16) on my D-35.

I generally find that unless one uses a heavy flat pick, most guitars sound better with lights.

Macpage · #5 03-13-2022, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fartamis

I don't have a D35, but I always install light strings on my dreads... And as a bonus you also have the ease of play.

Me too. Same results. I have never noticed any loss that I find consequential.

Best,

Mac

Honkycat · #6 03-13-2022, 12:41 PM

I've always used lights on mine, and it's a canon.

jseth · #7 03-13-2022, 12:57 PM

I owned a Martin D-35 for about 5 years, back in the 70's... it was ALWAYS strung with light gauge (12's), so I don't have a reference point for any difference between 13's and 12's...

Nowadays, "light gauge" can mean 11's, though, and even though I'm almost 71 and recovering from a severe muscular setback, I wouldn't dream of stringing my guitar with 11's! My electric? Sure... maybe my 12 string acoustic, although that hasn't happened yet!

Never my 6 string acoustic... so, 12's? I don't see an issue at all... may need a bit of set-up tweaking, but no problem with 12's at all.

rstaight · #8 03-13-2022, 01:15 PM

I don't own a Martin but I put 11's on everything.

I use mostly 2 brands of string, Ernie Ball Earthwood and Elixir either nano or poly web. Just depends on my mood and what's at the shop. Sometimes I will use Daddario.

Some brands consider 11's to be light gauge for others 12's are light. You wouldn't think that .001 of an inch would make that much difference. You can sure feel it.

I tend to play heavy so I don't find myself getting covered up at the jams I go to.

dnf777 · #9 03-13-2022, 02:16 PM

Putting 12-54s on my D-35 as I read this. No problems.

Rogerblair · #10 03-13-2022, 02:22 PM

I’m using 11-52 on some dreads (except for the unwound strings, for which I still use 12,16)
I find the comfort wonderful and with fingerpicking and light strumming, I notice NO loss of sweet tone or volume.

If I was a heavier strummer or flat picker, I might not do this, but I’m not, so…

Roger

bluemoon · #11 03-13-2022, 02:30 PM

Try lights or maybe the Santa Cruz strings tensioned strings. Also I personally like lights on 35s.

FingahPickah · #12 03-13-2022, 02:57 PM

Two friends of mine are long-time Martin dread owners (HD28 and HD35) who have always used light .012 - .053 exclusively. Both guitars play and sound great.

For my own Martin dread (D40) I prefer the feel and punch of mediums (.013 - .056).

SuperB23 · #13 03-13-2022, 03:29 PM

I've found that guitars with really thin tops and instruments that are lightly built sound best with lights. A stock D-35 seems like it would function better with mediums.

Santa Cruz Dreadnoughts and Goodall Dreadnoughts often sound quite nice with lights because of how thin the tops are on those instruments.

The old Gibson J-45s from the 40s sound really nice with lights and they are super easy to play because of the short scale. The newer Historic or True Vintage ones function this same way too.

I say with the D-35, give it a try and let us know what you think.

Teherie · #14 03-13-2022, 04:40 PM

I have been using lights pretty much since I changed the strings for the first time in 1977 on my D35. It had been my go to guitar for 45 years and would be the last to leave the herd.

If I was a serious flat picker/lead player in a band, I would probably play a D18 or 28 instead but since I usually play solo, the D35 is the perfect guitar.

Jim Owen · #15 03-13-2022, 06:36 PM

Hi L20A,
I don’t have a D 35. But I would set it up with lights if I did. I like 35s a lot—they are voiced nicely to be finger picked or strummed.

Lights will still drive the top just dandy.

And while you’re at it, consider trying round cores again. Back when you and I were tadpoles, we happily switched to hex cores for added stability in wound strings. But now, those issues have been solved so long as you tune to pitch before trimming the ends. Round core strings feel less tense—they are definitely easier on the hands.