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#1
05-05-2020, 05:42 PM
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Changing to lighter strings
I’ve not long bought my first guitar and am enjoying learning so far, but thinking of changing to lighter strings to take it a bit easier on my fingers, and help with things.
I have a Tanglewood tw4, and Tanglewood recommend elixir 12-53s (not sure what’s on it as I bought it second hand and the previous owner says he changed the strings). Are 10-50s too light, and would I need to have it set up? I’m confident in changing the strings myself but don’t fancy adjusting the action etc. Obviously with this lockdown there aren’t any guitar shops open near me. Any advice would be welcome, Thanks, Lewis. 
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#2
05-05-2020, 05:59 PM
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I run light, GHS 11-52, strings and have for thirty years. I can't remember one guitar that I've had where I had to adjust the action because of it. That's my experience anyway.
__________________
Waterloo WL-S, K & K mini Waterloo WL-S Deluxe, K & K mini Iris OG, 12 fret, slot head, K & K mini Follow The Yellow Brick Road
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#4
05-05-2020, 07:34 PM
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The drop from .012's down to .010's is quite a step.
As Mr. Jelly suggests, try a set of custom lights .011 - .052's, they can be fantastic on some guitars.
__________________
Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird
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#6
05-06-2020, 02:29 AM
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Hi Lewis, great to hear from someone in my part of the World.
I was unfamiliar with your guitar so googled it. I found three reviews on Y/T one from PMT which said it was a laminated top, and another which said it was a solid top (!?) Although it is effectively a a super jumbo or J185 size, it is primarily an Electro, i.e mainly intended to be played plugged in. To get optimal tone acoustically from that top would be best achieved with heaver strings, but as an electric guitar you may be OK with, say 11s, but acoustically, I wouldn't put anything lighter than 12s on it.
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom!
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#7
05-06-2020, 03:44 AM
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There seems to be a general agreement here of trying 11's and I agree. I tend to use 12's or 11's depending on the guitar. A high quality guitar will handle the tone of lighter strings better. Going from 12's to 11's will give you the relief your looking for but 10's would probably loose too much of the tone.
There is always the reverse effect when you gain experience and feel the need to go back up in gauge. Going up from 10's may spoil the gain in tone as your fingers bed in to the higher tension.
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#8
05-06-2020, 03:52 AM
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Thanks, it’s solid koa top (if that makes any difference?).
I appreciate what you say about optimal tone etc, but at the moment I’m just trying to see if I can get a bit of help fretting and relief for my finger tips  I think I’ll put a set of 11s on and see how I go. Thanks for the help!
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#9
05-06-2020, 09:13 AM
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Quote:
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#10
05-08-2020, 10:57 PM
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Since you're in England, you should be able to get Newtone Heritage Low-Tension strings. I like them quite well both tonally and for ease of play.
https://newtonestrings.com/shop/heri...stic-6-string/
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#11
05-09-2020, 06:13 AM
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This morning I fitted a set of Martin 11-50s, and they immediately feel more comfortable. Was able to bar the first fret straight away, which I struggled to do before.
Would definitely recommend lighter strings for any other struggling beginners!
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#12
05-09-2020, 06:14 AM
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Quote:
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#14
05-14-2020, 11:59 AM
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Quote:
low tension 11s with flat wound A,D, G strings. I have them on my Collings 00, and Taylor 12 string. They are MONEY on the 12 string.
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| Tags |
| light strings, strings, tanglewood |
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