Changing strings to a lighter gauge on new guitar

[Rickey]

I just bought an acoustic, should I change the factory strings to a lighter gauge and a coated string to make learning little easier in the beginning?

By changing to a lighter string will it change the sound or brightness of the guitar? Right now it has a low mellow sound that I love and would like to maintain.

Thanks for the help!

[Brian]

Hey Big Ed, there’s no hard and fast rule on when to change strings. I usually keep them on until they start sounding flat. On an acoustic guitar (I’m usually picking on an acoustic every day) – a set of strings lasts me for a few months. If you’re happy with the sound and everything stays in tune ok, I’d just leave the ones you have on for now. Yes, changing to a lighter string will make the guitar a little softer, but easier to play as well. I tend to play with Martin mediums on acoustic. Also, if you use light gauge you’ll be able to do some bending if that’s the style you like.

[Rickey]

Thanks Brian for the reply. I did change the strings to a .012 medium lights. I really changed the sound……it sounds rich now.

But I have another issue. While changing the strings I noticed the Bridge is tilting forward, there is a dip between the Bridge and sound hole and a belly from the Bridge and the bottom of the guitar. The action at the 12th fret on the low E string is a little less the 1/8″ of an inch or about 6/64.

The guitar is a Fender FA 100…..I know it is a inexpensive guitar, I bought it on sale because I like the sound and the feel. It has gotten really good reviews. As a matter of fact this is the only negative review out there….except for one guy who was comparing it to a more expensive guitar.

Does Fender build this line of guitars with this sort of arch? Would you return it to the store? I can try and take a picture and post it.

I have only had it for a day……I hate to return it I really like the guitar, but if it is damaged now I am sure it will only get worse.

Sorry for so long of a reply.

Thanks again Brian for the site and all your hard work.

Big Ed

[Brian]

Hey Ed, I looked at a few pictures of the FA 100 online and they are obviously flat top (no arch) guitars.. so there shouldn’t be any arching on the bridge from what I can tell. I can’t imagine that your changing the strings damaged that, but if I were you – I’d consider taking it in and at least showing it to someone at the guitar store that you bought it from (assuming you bought it at a local music store?) – they should be able to take a look and tell you if there’s something wrong with it structurally.

[Rickey]

i took it back this afternoon and they exchanged it for a new one. They took it out of the box checked it out looked inside with a mirror and set it up for me. They looked inside the first one and said a brace was broken loose and looked as though it was damaged in shipping or in the store.

Couldn’t be happier.

[Anonymous]

Hi, on the subject of lighter strings I think it might be worthwhile mentioning fret size.
I’ve just had my sg to the guitar shop because when i tuned the G string to G (obviously) when playing the notes on the next 2 frets down the guitar was sounding off key. Now being a thumping bass player i didn’t realise that if you have whats known as “jumbo frets” on a 6 string you can actually press too hard on the strings and the harder you press the more it changes the tone/pitch. I presumed the neck/fret board was broken/wore.
Does anybody else know of this problem?
I’ve been told to use a lighter touch and that changing to lighter strings would make the matter worse.
Worth pointing out to newbies to check what size frets you have and practice with your touch.

[Author]

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