Fingerstyle: putting .10s on a grand auditorium, yeah or nay?

[otis66]

I tried 11’s on my 1997 Taylor 410 for a couple of hours. Sounded horrible and strings were floppy. Also couldn’t keep guitar in tune. I would never go lower than 12’s on an acoustic guitar.

[Steve DeRosa]

Got a bud who has a 10-46 set on his Martin GPCPA-4 gigging acoustic-electric...

Sounds like turds on toast - edgy, thin, nasal - and even worse unplugged...

One heluva nice guy, great player, and we've done more than a few gigs together - I don't have the heart to tell him...

[RRuskin]

I'm constantly amazed by others telling owners what should or shouldn't be done with their guitars.

[pvfederico]

It depends on the guitar. I use 10-47's on my Larrivee LV-10, and on my Martin 000-018 EC. The Larrivee plays very well, but is a little "tiny." The Martin also plays well, but sounds full and rich.

I´m over 70, and the light strings really are a blessing.

[Dracorex0]

Originally Posted by RRuskin

I'm constantly amazed by others telling owners what should or shouldn't be done with their guitars.

As I’m asking suggestions, that’s exactly the point.

[Dracorex0]

Originally Posted by tbirdman

Rather than drop to 10s why not try low tension strings at 12 and 11 gauge.



Some possible ones are:



GHS thin cores

Newtone Heritage

Pyramid

Thomastek Infeld.



I can vouch for the Newtones and Thomastek personably.

THANKS A TON! I’ll be checking these out, already ordered some thin cores [emoji108] Thanks to all y’all for the replies, it’s been really helpful and enlightening

[biotechmgr]

Try 11s. I have 10s on my electric and it is very difficult to control intonation with my too strong left hand from mostly acoustic playing. 10s feel like fretting rubber bands. 11s are light enough and have played them.

[EZYPIKINS]

Back in the 70's I played the same .008's On my acoustic as I did on my electrics.
I didn't need volume or tone really I was just learning how to play.
When I first went into my first recording session, I put on Martin Lights.
Have settled on .011-.052's. They work for me.

[s2y]

Originally Posted by RRuskin

I'm constantly amazed by others telling owners what should or shouldn't be done with their guitars.

We should all keep our knowledge a secret and not try to help newer guitarists.

The OP asked us for opinions. Pre Covid, I used to go to an acoustic jam and I could see some people had high action from 6 feet away. I don't tell them because they didn't ask.

[RRuskin]

Originally Posted by s2y

We should all keep our knowledge a secret and not try to help newer guitarists.

The OP asked us for opinions. Pre Covid, I used to go to an acoustic jam and I could see some people had high action from 6 feet away. I don't tell them because they didn't ask.

He asked for opinions about going down to .10's. I got that. But some responses seemed to have a, "I don't like them so don't you dare" vibe to them.
Going that light certainly won't harm anything. At worst, he won't like like the results. At best, he will. What others think about about how someone else sets up their instrument is a non-issue.

[douglasfan1]

Originally Posted by Dracorex0

Obviously I won’t be needing alot of volume. I mostly play 12s right now. I heard 10’s are alot easier on the fingers. Should I give it a go or is it a waste of time?

Sound too thin for me. Also, 10s is insufficient tension for me, I've tried once and strings often got blend accidentally.

I think 11s is minimum. However, 12s is standard and now I put 13s on my main guitar but with half step detune. I can hear the tune more fundamental and thick which is what I looking for.

[s2y]

Originally Posted by RRuskin

He asked for opinions about going down to .10's. I got that. But some responses seemed to have a, "I don't like them so don't you dare" vibe to them.
Going that light certainly won't harm anything. At worst, he won't like like the results. At best, he will. What others think about about how someone else sets up their instrument is a non-issue.

Strings are the cheapest and easiest modification. Going lighter is also easier on the guitar. Overbuilt guitars might sound a bit anemic with light strings. I have a guitar built for 12s or lighter and it's extremely responsive.

[M Sarad]

I use D'Addario or John Pearse Custom light 11-52.

[bufflehead]

I draw the line at 11s.

[Larsguitars]

I use Martin extra light 80/20's on my D-28 marquis and 000-18GE. You need a really light build to get a good sound from this gage. I only play at home now so I don't need a huge sound.