#31
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I used to use heavies on my Resonator guitar, mainly Newtones. So, whilst less popular there IS a heavy (14-59), medium (13-56), Light (12-53}, and even lighter gauges (can't think why anyone would use them - for antique guitars perhaps? ) Nowadays,there is no real need for Heavies, (we have mics and many acoustic players plug in) but they ARE still available from some string makers.
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
#32
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I feel like at least a third of respondents are misunderstanding this entire thread; they think I mean "if you use Mediums you should switch to 12s and call those Medium from now on." That is not at all my point. I just think we should change the names, not the applications. Keep using 13s if you use 13s; I just feel like they should be called Heavy. |
#33
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But the fact is that there are so many variables that there are no hard and fast rules, even for individual guitars of the same make and model. I do have a lot of fun testing guitars, strings picks, recording methods, etc. But I recognize that there are others who just like to be told what to do.
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Assuming is not knowing. Knowing is NOT the same as understanding. There is a difference between compassion and wisdom, however compassion cannot supplant wisdom, and wisdom can not occur without understanding. facts don't care about your feelings and FEELINGS ALONE MAKE FOR TERRIBLE, often irreversible DECISIONS |
#34
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And another +1. I have one of those "DADGAD" sets on my Martin, D'Addario EJ24 PB 13 17 24 32 42 56. The only thing is the Martin didn't need any help with bass, so when I tune it to Csus2 or DADGAD it has a bit too much bass. I probably see if I can pick up just a 53 PB string to use in the next set of EJ24 for next time.
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Barry Sad Moments {Marianne Vedral cover}: My SoundCloud page Some steel strings, some nylon. |
#35
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I've never been in a guitar shop that had acoustic strings outside of 10-13. Maybe someone makes 9s or 14s for acoustics. I'm sure they do. The standard is still 10-13 so 10 should be light 11/12 should be medium, and 13 should be heavy. I don't think they'll change it now and it doesn't really matter but 13s aren't mediums.
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#36
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My reasoning is that we all know what light and medium means ...I confess I don't know what extra/ultra lights mean because I can't imagine using them. Coincidence - an old frind stopped by today - bluegrass banjo player. We were taking about "the old days" on the scene around London, and two bluegrass guitarists who always used heavies (14-59). consider , also - the many blues guitarists who pay resos - they may still use heavies.
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
#37
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That said, blues players who use resonators can still use the same gauge of string whether they are called "Heavy," "Extra Heavy," or "Bill's Cow Bessie." I actually don't understand what the point is of bringing them up. How does it cause them a problem to rename their string set? |
#38
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Curious which guitars are speced for 10s & 11s? Any major brands shipping models with these less-than-light gauges??
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A few Martins, a Taylor, a Gibson, an Epi, and a couple nice electrics. |
#39
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I know the very cheap acoustics usually ship with 10s.
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#40
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Every open tuning that I am aware of exerts less tension on the neck than standard tuning does, unless, of course, you are foolhardy enough to tune to an Open E tuning. |
#41
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Sorry, I meant to say standard tuning. You are correct.
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#42
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The OP is spot on. The second that two manufacturers use the same term to denote different string gauges that term loses its meaning. "Light" and "Medium" are relative terms, and in my opinion, using relative to specify absolute attributes such as string gauges makes no sense. I never use those terms, but refer to strings by their gauges.
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"I've always thought of bluegrass players as the Marines of the music world" – (A rock guitar guy I once jammed with) Martin America 1 Martin 000-15sm Recording King Dirty 30s RPS-9 TS Taylor GS Mini Baton Rouge 12-string guitar Martin L1XR Little Martin 1933 Epiphone Olympic 1971 square neck Dobro |
#43
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I was playing Martin PB medium (AIR 12's) and switched to my current brand about a year ago. Put on a set of DR Rare of the same gauge and they felt lighter than the Martin.
Was able to get some bends that wouldn't have been possible with the Martin 12's. Switched to DR Rare 13's next time around and couldn't be happier. But, to me, medium and heavy are subjective and there doesn't seem to be an industry standard. Then you find hybrid or custom sets, further muddying the already cloudy waters. |
#44
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It must be my tender washing up hands, but anything above 12s is heavy to me.
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