Quote:
Originally Posted by Haasome
Am I late to the party? I was just introduced to Elixir Nanoweb HD PB Light strings and they are fantastic on my SCGC OMG. It looks like they use mediums on the 3 lighter strings and light gauge strings on the 3 heavier strings.
Gauges: .013, .017, .025, .032, .042, .053
It seems they were developed with Taylor Guitars. Andy Powers, wanted to create a custom string set that would bring a bolder, stronger high end and fuller, warmer low end. Seems about right with this guitar.
I had never heard of these before. I’ll be anxious to try them out on some other guitars. Any experience with these by other players?
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Haasome,
Are you late to the party? Maybe just a little, but you did get here, so it's all OK.
First off, I've been using Elixirs off and on since I got my first Taylor in 1999, a 355 12 string Jumbo.
I first ran across HD lights experimenting with them a few years ago. Put them on my Alvarez, but they didn't feel or sound quite right, so at some point I re-strung it with Elixir PB Lights and have used PB Lights on it ever since.
I bought a used Taylor 512ce L10 all mahogany Grand Concert, which was strung with HD Lights, and I really liked the sound and feel when I tested it. This model has a 25.5" scale. Liked the HD Lights immediately.
Later I got a used Taylor 412e-R SE sitka/rosewood Grand Concert, a short scale guitar, which had PB HD Lights on it (possibly from the factory - it was in mint condition right down to the Elixir string sticker still on the pickguard). While playing and sounding different from the 512, it was again an immediate 'A' on the test.
From the Elixir site,
Light gauge is .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053,
HD light gauge is .013, .017, .025, .032, .042, .053,
Medium gauge is .013, .017, .026, .035, .045, .056.
As you can see, only the treble E and B strings use the medium gauge strings. The G string is a 'tweener', .001 greater than the light gauge G string and .001 lesser than the medium gauge G string.
Maybe it's because I fingerpick everything all the time, using my nails as picks, but I like the sonic results of the slightly heavier treble strings. As I just mentioned, only a + .001 difference from Light Gauge.
Here is a link to an interview with Andy Powers, Builder of Taylor guitars, who explains why he likes the HD lights. And not just on smaller guitars.
https://youtu.be/UbTSHDm-jIg
So to summarize, I prefer the 'PB' flavored HD lights, and use them on both my Grand Concerts. I also currently string my 818e Grand Orchestra with them. Turns out that that guitar is plenty loud if I need it, and I get more than enough bass with the .053. It has a great response when softly picked. And there is a big difference in string tension with the 'A' and 'D' strings, which my older hands can appreciate. Elixir site gives you the tension for each string on a 25.5" scale. The 818e has a 25.5" scale. When I bought it new, it came with Elixir medium gauge PB strings. Scored A+ on my test. On my second string change, I put the Elixir PB HD lights on it as a test, and been using them ever since.
I also use Elixir PB HD lights on my Epiphone EJ200 Jumbo and it sounds really good with them. Seems to bring out some nuances with that guitar that I didn't think were there before. Again a 25.5" scale.
So my experiences with HD lights are overall very favorable, with the caveat that they are maybe not for every guitar.
Don
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