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#1
10-21-2017, 01:19 AM
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String tension: put my mind at ease
The D-35 Injust acquired was previously setup for lights and has real low action. Has a nice, smooth mellow sound, but not the big tone of a typical Martin dread. Tonight I strung it with mediums and it came alive. New strings, so it’s naturally brighter, but the tone is bigger and volume is louder. I do notice a hair more relief in the neck. I’m gonna let it sit until tomorrow to see how it is, but will probably end up tightening the truss rod 1/8-1/4 turn.
With that said, is there anything in terms of too much strain on the bridge that I need to be concerned about? My local luthier, who has been around a long time, told me I should always use light strings. Said most guitars don’t need mediums Because it puts too much stress on the bridge. I figure if it came with mediums, I’d prefer mediums, and I’m used to mediums anyway. Other than truss rod, does anything else need to be tweaked in terms of setup to ensure the bridge doesn’t end up having issues?
__________________
Guitars Taylor GS6 (2006) Martin D-35 (2005) Epiphone EJ-200 (2015) 
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#2
10-21-2017, 01:54 AM
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The short answer to your question is no.
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#3
10-21-2017, 02:46 AM
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You and your guitar will be fine
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#4
10-21-2017, 07:55 AM
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ALL of my Martin guitars 00 and larger have medium strings all the time. This is also true of my non-Martin guitars. Some are long scale, some short scale, some belly bridges, some pyramid bridges. The ages range from the mid 1930's to 2012. None have ever suffered damage from medium strings.
I like medium strings.  https://www.martinguitar.com/about/f...ings-faq/care/ IS IT SAFE TO USE MEDIUM GAUGED STRINGS ON MY SCALLOP BRACED GUITAR? Yes, it is safe. All of our six string guitars designed for steel strings have been tested to withstand the tension of a medium gauge string. However, since each top is unique, take note if the top starts to rise abnormally. If this happens, go back to the lighter gauge strings.
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#5
10-21-2017, 08:00 AM
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I can't help but chuckle a little over this concern and I mean no disrespect.
My guess is there are thousands and thousands of guitars out there with mediums on them and they are just fine. Some of the reactions about this are based on past experiences with guitars that were poorly built and some "old wives tales."
__________________
Nothing bothers me unless I let it. Martin D18 Gibson J45 Gibson J15 Fender Copperburst Telecaster Squier CV 50 Stratocaster Squier CV 50 Telecaster
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#6
10-21-2017, 08:00 AM
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Worry no longer and slap those mediums on there. I have a feeling Martin took into consideration that people might put strings on their guitars heavier than lights. Stop "fretting" and play.
By they way, I'm no luthier, but I believe that the guitar top is what holds the string ball end in place against the bridge pin. I do not believe the tension is being shouldered by bridge plate itself.
__________________
Justin ________________ Gibson J-15 Alvarez MD60BG Yamaha LL16RD Epiphone Les Paul Standard Fender Player Stratocaster
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#7
10-21-2017, 08:42 AM
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Quote:
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#8
10-21-2017, 09:13 AM
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Quote:
__________________
Guitars Taylor GS6 (2006) Martin D-35 (2005) Epiphone EJ-200 (2015)
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#9
10-21-2017, 10:13 AM
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There should be no implications regarding your setup by changing back to mediums.
__________________
Justin ________________ Gibson J-15 Alvarez MD60BG Yamaha LL16RD Epiphone Les Paul Standard Fender Player Stratocaster
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#10
10-21-2017, 10:14 AM
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I might suggest you try something like GHS True Mediums. On a D-35, they will give a (probably) much needed treble boost while maintaining solid bass. They come in about 10 lbs less tension than standard mediums but play like lights.
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#11
10-21-2017, 10:41 AM
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Quote:
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