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  #1  
Old 02-09-2012, 03:11 PM
sean365 sean365 is offline
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Default String Question

Hey all, just wondering if medium strings are a good idea if your playing finger style guitar? Reason I'm asking this is because I got given some from my guitar shop for free, so I want to use them, but I've only ever used light strings so I'm not sure how they will feel.
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Old 02-09-2012, 03:16 PM
HHP HHP is offline
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Try them and see. Make sure your guitar is rated to take them, won't hurt to try but you wouldn't want to give a lightly built guitar a steady diet of the extra tension.
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Old 02-09-2012, 03:35 PM
michaelhager michaelhager is offline
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I use custom lights on my guitar. I don't like the feel of lights and I can't stand the feel of mediums. Just too heavy for my style. I like to bend the strings a bit and the mediums are just too hard on my fingers and my style.

But you have to try them to decide for yourself.
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Old 02-09-2012, 03:51 PM
Landru Landru is offline
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There is no such thing as gauge of string = style of play. This is an individual choice, and is arrived at by trying many different string types and gauges.
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Old 02-11-2012, 11:15 AM
sean365 sean365 is offline
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Ok, thanks for the help guys
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  #6  
Old 02-13-2012, 04:29 PM
mseso mseso is offline
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NO, medium strings are not a good idea if your playing finger style guitar. Nor for your guitar, nor for your fingers, nor for your music. Mediums are more for dreadnoughts and for struming with picks. Mediums are for more power and volume but you can't get power and volume from them with fingers. On the contrary, when playing finger style guitar you will get more power with lighter strings. I use medium-lights on my dread only when singing with friends. I am using lights or even custom lights on other dread when play with fingers and especially via pickup.
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Old 02-14-2012, 08:57 AM
RussMason RussMason is offline
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Default Fingerstyle with mediums

Not a problem. Did it for years.

I guess the real question is - how well can you play? String gauge and guitar shape shouldn't even be factors. A good musician will play well on anything.
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Old 02-14-2012, 09:11 AM
Herb Hunter Herb Hunter is offline
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I had a Taylor LKSM-6 which is a jumbo that comes form the factory with medium gauge strings. I play without picks or long nails and loved that guitar with that string gauge. Medium gauge strings can be set for lower action than light gauge strings before the onset of buzzing so it was very easy to play the way I had it setup.

It is up to the individual player to decide what string gauge works best for his technique and the characteristics of his guitar. However, some guitars can't handle the added tension of medium gauge strings.
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Old 02-14-2012, 09:18 AM
budsy budsy is offline
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Interesting to know regards what guage of strings best for your Guitar

Id say worth a try but as long as your guitar can take the tension

although for finger style id reckon best with a lighter guage of string ..
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Old 02-14-2012, 10:32 AM
chewie chewie is offline
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It really depends on you and your guitar. Just try 'em and see. They may feel stiff but give it a few weeks and they'll feel light again - and if you move back a gauge again you'll fly (at the cost of having to go back up and do it all over when you want to repeat that experience!)
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Old 02-14-2012, 10:42 AM
Fret-O'File Fret-O'File is offline
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I use mediums on all my guitars and play fingerstyle 95% of the time. I find that mediums give me better bounce back on my picking hand as well as my fret hand when hammering and pulling off.

Kurt
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Old 02-14-2012, 10:55 AM
jestn7 jestn7 is offline
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I have just discovered the Elixir Custom Light PB strings. I just switched my GS Mini over to them from Mediums and was really impressed! I am so impressed that I am considering adding a LR Baggs Element to it now. Custom Lights are awesome. I might even try a set on my 314CE.
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Old 02-14-2012, 01:19 PM
Jesus_junkie Jesus_junkie is offline
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Probably 75% (at least) of my playing is fingerstyle. I play my guitar really hard, and find that medium strings prevent a lot of buzzing, with a lower action.
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  #14  
Old 02-14-2012, 01:40 PM
mseso mseso is offline
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I must say that traveling and reading forums I found some big differences in approach between USA and Europe in some skills.

Big differences are for example in fishing techniques and how different we merit fishing equipment. I noticed that in USA people are using ligher equipment for same species.

Interestingly, when playing guitars, people in Europe are using lighter strings much more than Americans. Here in Europe you will find much less people who use medium strings even for playing with picks, not to speak playing fingerstyle.
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  #15  
Old 02-14-2012, 01:47 PM
BluesBelly BluesBelly is offline
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12-53 guage D'Addario EJ 16 strings are a good place to start. Sometimes you can vary a string set by replacing one or two specific strings with a lighter or heavier guage to make a custom set suitable to a specific guitar or more suitable to your playing style. I bend strings way too much to go to a true medium.

Blues
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