Impact of mediums on your Cargo.
 

Looking for some datapoints from AGF members.

I had the privilege of listening to a couple of Cargos before and after the original lights were changed to medium Dean Markley Alchemy.

The result was that the tone became more solid/powerful, but the guitars became CONSIDERABLY darker. Less bright/overtones.

Is this consistent with what you guys are finding in going from light to medium?

I'm wondering if this is more an Alchemy characteristic or the thicker higher tension mediums. Would it be the same with Elixir PB Nanowebs?

Thanks,
PTL

Interesting... I'm thinking of adding mediums to my 5i... But I don't want it to take on a darker quality as it is already very warm.

Haven't tried mediums yet on the Cargo.

I think I'd be kinda scared of a more powerful sound out of that tiny guitar, though. :D

I tried a bluegrass set on mine but didnt like the change in tone so I went back to the lights. I'm working on playing fingerstyle blues and this little guitar is working great for that material!

I almost wonder if "anti-bluegrass" strings wouldn't be the way to go on the Cargo. Heavier treble strings, lighter bass strings.

I agree with songwriterfan.
The Cargo seems to have strong basses and average trebles.
The remedy would be to use a set of light strings but to replace the high E and high B with mediums (i.e. 0.13 and 0.17 instead of 0.12 and 0.16).

Do you guys think that changing the strings from PB's to 80/20's would brighten up the guitar a little?

I've posted this tidbit quite a few times butttt...I traded out the Nanoweb, PB, lights that came on it for Nanoweb 80/20 Mediums and I love the sound. Initially with the stock strings I thought it lacked highs and when played at a hot humid gig the lights got too rubbery. The medium 80/20's brightened it up as much as you're probably going to get out of the Cargo and the medium weight really held up to some serious strumming in the heat. I haven't been a big fan of Elixirs on my wooden guitars but they seem custom made for the Cargo.

Jim B

ya my next string change will be 80/20 mediums in theory i think that may be the best way to go on one of these cargos.

I put a set of martin sp pb mediums on my 5i.... I love it. It did not darken the tone but rather tightened up the bass and brought out the mids and trebles. I'm very happy with this set-up. Whether it would apply to the cargo I have no idea.

... excuse my ignorance. I'm new to the forums and I'm too quick to post.

PTL, did you use the Alchemy GoldBronze or GoldPhos? I would think that the GoldBronze would be equivalent to 80/20s and would brighten up the guitar?

I very much liked the Elixir PB lights that came on my Cargo, but I recently changed to medium PBs. I noticed no change in tone. I'm going to switch back to lights though because I prefer the lighter tension for string bends.

My COT came with Mediums installed (it was preowned) but I noted they ship 99% of the CA guitars with lights. I switched them to a set of lights but quickly switched back to mediums. I noticed a loss of volume and much of the rounder bottom end tone was thinned out with the lights. Not a bad sound, just not what I really wanted. I called CA and they said mediums wouldn't affect it at all, so good for me!