[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by woodruff

+1 to this. the notion that one need string their dread with mediums is a myth. .12-.53 guage(lights) are way enough to drive the top of a dreadnought.

Hi Woody...
I don't think of it as a myth, just a niche application. Heavy strummers who don't want to temper their technique or throttle back their style love mediums and high action.

My bluegrasser friends live and die by .013s, heavy picks, and high action on Dreadnaughts. They work acoustically often working with a single mic for the whole band onstage live, so they want to squeeze every ounce of volume out of the guitar possible. They wouldn't dream of using pickups or amps.

But you are correct, .012s will drive the top of a typical Dread just fine. You may lose a bit of volume but may actually make gains in action and balance that are highly desireable.