Will different strings make my guitar easier to play

[rabbuhl]

Question: will D'Addario EXP16 (or EXP26) strings make my Taylor 214CE easier to play bar chords at the 7th/8th fret? Or, is the combination of Eastman/D'Addario which makes it easier to play bar chords at the 7th/8th fret? I have two paths going.

Path one: trying to get the setup on my Taylor 214CE to where I like how it plays. So far, that involved a neck reset then a truss rod adjustment to lower the action. I played it at a jam session and it was difficult to play chords (Bm, Em, F#m) at the 7th/8th fret. I then changed the strings from Elixir Light (.012) to Elixir Custom Light (.011). That makes it easier to play but still a lot strength needed to bar chords at the 7th/8th fret.

Path two: run the racks. I tried various acoustics from Eastman, Martin, Taylor, Fender, and so on. The Eastman AC222CE got sold so I tried a AC222CE OV yesterday. My impression was that it is easier to play bar chords at the 7th/8th fret than on my Taylor 214CE. I checked and the strings on it are D'Addario EXP16 (.012).

Here are the string tension for D'Addario EXP16 vs the Elixir Phosphor Bronze Light are shown here.


E 23.36 23
B 23.31 23
G 28.44 30
D 28.73 30
A 28.08 30
E 24.37 25

[srick]

Rabbuhl - Might I suggest some round core low tension strings such as Santa Cruz Low tensions; DR Sunbeams; Thomastik Infeld Plectrum or Straight Up Strings Light; Also, consider Silk and Steel or Silk and Bronze Strings (various MFG).

Assuming that your guitar is set-up properly, you might also try the trick of tuning down a half or a whole step and capoing as necessary).

best,

Rick

[rabbuhl]

Originally Posted by srick

Rabbuhl - Might I suggest some round core low tension strings such as Santa Cruz Low tensions; DR Sunbeams; Thomastik Infeld Plectrum or Straight Up Strings Light; Also, consider Silk and Steel or Silk and Bronze Strings (various MFG).

Assuming that your guitar is set-up properly, you might also try the trick of tuning down a half or a whole step and capoing as necessary).

best,

Rick

Cool, I check these out!!

[runamuck]

The lighter the gauge string the easier it is to play any guitar. The more you play, the stronger your hands will get.

[rabbuhl]

Found these so far.

Santa Cruz Low tensions 21.99 EUR
DR Sunbeams 11.90 EUR
Thomastik Infeld Plectrum 13.95 EUR
Straight Up Strings Light 9.95 USD + shipping

Any suggestion on which to start with? I can get the DR Sunbeams and Thomastik Infeld Plectrum from Thomann.

[rabbuhl]

I received the Thomastik Infeld Plectrum and DR Sunbeams. I installed the Thomastik Infeld Plectrum. Wow, I love them. Much better than the Elixir Nanoweb Light Phosphor Bronze.

[rabbuhl]

It is easy to see by the gauge size why the Thomastik Infeld Plectrum are popular especially if you like to bend the strings.

Thomastik Infeld Plectrum AC111
0.011
0.014
0.019
0.027
0.036
0.050

D'Addario EJ26 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings, Custom Light
0.011
0.015
0.022
0.032
0.042
0.052

DR Strings Sunbeam RCA-11 Custom Light
0.011
0.015
0.022
0.030
0.040
0.050

Elixir Nanoweb Custom Light Phosphor
0.011
0.015
0.022
0.032
0.042
0.052

[coldfingers]

Using super light gauge strings will make it easier for you to play crappy sounding bar chords. Using medium gauge strings and practicing more will make it easier for you play decent sounding bar chords. Using medium gauge strings, practicing more, and playing more 3 and 4 string voicings instead of bar chords will make you a better guitar player.

Sorry, I know that's a bit snarky, but it's true.

I am editing this post to clarify that by "medium" strings, I mean like 12-53 gauge, which are often labeled "light" by the manufacturer.

[rabbuhl]

Originally Posted by coldfingers

Using super light gauge strings will make it easier for you to play crappy sounding bar chords. Using medium gauge strings and practicing more will make it easier for you play decent sounding bar chords. Using medium gauge strings, practicing more, and playing more 3 and 4 string voicings instead of bar chords will make you a better guitar player.

Sorry, I know that's a bit snarky, but it's true.

I am editing this post to clarify that by "medium" strings, I mean like 12-53 gauge, which are often labeled "light" by the manufacturer.

Actually, it was not so much chords but the fact that I like to play a lot of leads on my acoustic. I agree that I should be able to play different voicings. Maybe instead I can use a capo. I still don't like the stiffness of the Elixir strings and think they are more just chords players.

[rabbuhl]

I broke a string while looking at an issue with the high E falling off. I then installed the DR Strings Sunbeam. They are a little bit heavier than the Thomastik Infeld Plectrum but sound great!!