- This topic has 9 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 11 months ago by
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Hello folks, not sure but think after switching to higher acoustic gauge strings think I may now need to lower them to the frets a tad..only way is to use the truss Allen wrench that came with the guitar.. I must relieve the tension is greater with these 12s I used to replace the old worn 10s.. I think 12s are maximum I would go with this small parlor.. was wondering what others think too! I like not too low or too high for this little AP70 String ht. for me,..I as low as possible before buzzing is always preferred..opinions appreciated!
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John, I find that when I fit a higher gauge string to my Martin, The higher tension on the thicker strings will make the neck bow away from the strings. So, I’ll need to tighten the truss rod (clockwise) to bring the neck back up towards the string action that I’m used to. Only small increments though, probably only quarter to half a turn usually does the trick for me.
Richard
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I wouldn’t use anything heavier than 11’s on a parlor.
A parlor doesn’t have enough bracing to adequately withstand the pull of heavy strings on a long term basis.
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you know, i was told that too by a Lutheran,, next will be 11s but 12s don’t feel too stiff and aint coming off at 12 usa dollars a set lol ,, next change i’m going to try 11s ..i’m going to flatpick a lot soon on this parlor ,, want to get into my bluegrass lessons.. going to try some Tony Rice stuff .. that’s going to be a work out!
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I have a dresser guitar string drawer of different brands de addarios ernie balls elixir tried Martins .. the truth is the first few days after they are stretched,, they all sound pretty good as for being new.. think i like to stay cheap too.. have the ernie ball earthwoods 11s i’ like for about 5 bucks and although not coated , they can last well enough during winter months,,Had on Elixir 12s on my Martin D35 since spring early summer .. haven’t played as much but take care of it and the strings still sound new.. 12s on the dreadnought feel light,, on the parlor they feel medium but they are considered light gauge for acoustic guitars.. I liked the 10 elixirs on the parlor and beat the pulp out of them at camping this summer, I like them and to me are worth the 12 bucks for getting several months.. I remember the uncoated earthwoods for 5 bucks using them just a few weeks , great first couple weeks but uncoated get dark/tarnish and deadin the brighness,,i can hear the difference.. some players don’t mind old sounding strings,, i also believe electric acoustic is not as critcal because amplified ,, but I like to hear a good bronze round wound on my unplugged dreadnoughts/parlor acoustics.. the 12s elixirs on my D35 AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS STILL SOUND NEW , NEXT SET WILL BE 13S bronze nanoweb ELIXIRS FOR MY BIG d35 .. I’m going to see if I get that big sound for bluegrass picking,, will let you know when, ty G&L
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I googled the string tension issue, and there are conflicting reports. One guy says that Alvarez used to ship these with mediums on them. Another says he wanted to find out, so called Alvarez, and they said they didn’t know what would happen to the guitar if you put 12s on it.
I have mixed opinions about elixirs. They make the only complete set for my GT-8 Baritone, and I like them on it because they last for a year, as little as I play that guitar. I have also used them on my Taylor 815, but I don’t think they sound as good, and they can be treacherous once the coating starts to peel off. I got a little frayed string wire in my finger last set as it went bad. Hurt worse than a bad paper cut. Also, as soon as the coatings start to go, they become impossible to intonate, since the strings now have different thicknesses at different frets.
On my archtop, I’m using really expensive Thomastiks. And I love them, but $23/set. On the PRS I have the Pure Nickle strings, which are like $5, and they sound great. Once I find something I like, it’s tough to change.
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I googled the string tension issue, and there are conflicting reports. One guy says that Alvarez used to ship these with mediums on them. Another says he wanted to find out, so called Alvarez, and they said they didn’t know what would happen to the guitar if you put 12s on it.
I have mixed opinions about elixirs. They make the only complete set for my GT-8 Baritone, and I like them on it because they last for a year, as little as I play that guitar. I have also used them on my Taylor 815, but I don’t think they sound as good, and they can be treacherous once the coating starts to peel off. I got a little frayed string wire in my finger last set as it went bad. Hurt worse than a bad paper cut. Also, as soon as the coatings start to go, they become impossible to intonate, since the strings now have different thicknesses at different frets.
On my archtop, I’m using really expensive Thomastiks. And I love them, but $23/set. On the PRS I have the Pure Nickle strings, which are like $5, and they sound great. Once I find something I like, it’s tough to change.
All good points Duffy.
Concerning parlor guitars, I prefer to err on the side of caution. As small as a parlor guitar is, its only common sense to reason that they don’t have as much bracing as a dread or jumbo to withstand heavier strings. On a guitar that size, I don’t know that there would be any noticeable difference to gain by using 12’s & 13’s. A parlor only has so much space to resonate and push air…..
Your jazz box is a different animal and the use of the more expensive Thomastik-Infelds are justified. I’ve heard nothing but good about those stringsAs you said – Once I find something I like, it’s tough to change – the light bulb went off when I switched to DR Pure Blues nickel electric strings, the tone was so noticeably better and I’ve not found anything better although I’ve got a set of Ernie Ball pure nickel Rockers to try soon.
The same was true when I tried La Bella’s phosphor bronze strings – they brought out tones in several different guitars that was a considerable improvement. I’ve not had a set fail me yet after 2 month of heavy playing. Do they retain that really bright of most new strings? Pretty much. 11’s are perfect for the fingerstyle playing that I do. I’ve had GHS and Martin strings go very dead and corrode after just 2-3 week – haven’t been disappointed yet with La BellaSo – why change? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it………
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