String recommendation for a Yamaha jumbo

[3woodengulls]

I recently purchased a yamaha jumbo and changed the original strings I bought it with. I used bronze and thus made it sound too bright. Any ideas on what strings to try? I used Martin 80/20 bronze light gauge. Also does anyone know if mediums can go on these guitars. It is a cjx32.
Thanks

[3woodengulls]

Would it help if I said the guitar is spruce top with maple sides and back?

[jemartin]

With a maple guitar, Phosphor Bronze strings at a minimum for toning it down. There are a few specialty strings out there to help out with that. GHS strings brightness scale lists their Silk and Bronze and Vintage Bronze as their least brightest strings.

http://www.ghsstrings.com/products?categories=acoustic

[musicman1951]

It's hard to imagine a jumbo that can't handle medium strings, but you could check with Yamaha if you're worried.

My first choice would be Martin Retro MM13's - L. Juber signature strings - they are lighter than many mediums and should give you no problems.

But you're really going to have to experiment a bit to know which strings you really like best.

[Earl49]

For a jumbo, I would go with medium gauge strings, to drive the top a bit harder. ~185 pounds of total tension versus ~165 pounds for lights.

Yamaha may say "light gauge only" but that is mostly a CYA clause. Just watch for signs of distress for a few days, like bellying of the bridge or distortion of the top. You might also need a minor truss rod tweak, but probably not.

[Brucebubs]

Martin Titaniums.
Yes, they're expensive but I just got 10 months out of a set.... on a rosewood jumbo.

D'Addario Nickel Bronze 2nd choice.

I dislike 80/20's on anything.

[3woodengulls]

Put mediums pb on her. She sounds great! Thanks for the help!