13-17-25-32-42-53 Set - Who Likes Them?

[Architar]

I've got a somewhat lightly built 25.5" scale guitar for which the builder recommends light strings. I'm trying different sets out, and am thinking of putting on some Elixir HD Lights (13/17/25/32/42/53). Tension calculates to about 171 lbs. (vs. 166 lbs. for Sunbeams and 169.5 lbs. for Earthwood med/lts, which are recent faves). So, a few questions...

Are strings with 170 lbs. tension still considered within the light range (albeit upper end)?

What would be brought out tone-wise in a jumbo Sitka over EIR with the Elixir set (with the lighter bass and heavier plain string gauges)?

Any other makers for 13/17/25/32/42/53 (or there abouts)?

Anyone like these? Other thoughts?

Thanks.

[Bowie]

I wish my favorite makers made that set as I like a 13 & 17 for full sounding unwrapped strings, and working down to a 53 or 54 so the bass still has some growl and doesn't boom too much.

[craigj]

I put HDs on my Gibson J-45, which is made for lights. The HDs preserve the original bass thunk, but allow the trebles to ring out more when strumming. Because it's short scale, I can still bend the E and B. In your case, though, I guess advantages/disadvantages would depend on playing style. Is your guitar bass-heavy like a Martin or more balanced like a Collings? Fingerstyle, flatpicking or bluegrass strumming? The HDs come phosphor bronze or 80/20, so you have tonal choice, too.

[rick-slo]

Less tension on the guitar top of the light gauge wound strings allows the medium gauge unwound strings to be a bit more responsive, and their medium gauge will give them a little more body and rounded tone. However they are not great on your fingers if you like to bend strings a lot.

[Moos3h]

I'm running a set on both my Taylor and Yamaha and really digging them. The tension is just right and the tone is very balanced indeed. I'm a strummer but I think lickers would really like these too.

[M19]

My Lowden sports the Pierre Bensusan Wyres, which have similar gauges, but it LIVES in dropped tunings like DADGAD and Open G. Although I tune up to standard every once in a while, I wouldn't use the heavier strings on my two that live in standard (Taylor all-mahogany GC and Martin 00-18). For certain you'll need to tweak the truss rod some if you get excessive relieve with the increased tension.

[scottishrogue]

I've tried several sets in that range, but prefer the .011-.047 set range. I get plenty of bass response and even mids along with mellow trebles. Martin or La Bella "Silk & Steel" Lights sound fabulous.

Glen

[zombywoof]

Both the GHS Juber and Pearce New Mediums seem to fit the bill.

For while I used the Pearce Slack Key strings which are 13s but with lighter gauge D and G strings. I liked them. But while it varies from guitar to guitar (depending on age of the guitar and whether it has a truss rod or not) though string with medium lights or lights with the two higher strings replaced with a .013 and 017 which I stumbled upon when trying to figure out how to thicken up the sound of an f-hole archtop.

[gfa]

John Pearse's "New Medium" set is very close: .013, .017, .024, .032, .042, .055. I use them on my HD-28VS. It has strong bass, and the NM's seem to roll off the bass just a bit while retaining the sound of medium gauge (vs. lights).