Old dreadnought

[Rodgers]

I am using extra light strings out of respect for my fifty-year-old dreadnought. Would it be beneficial, tone-wise, to try heavier gauge strings, or is it not worth the risk? I would welcome any advice.

[Jcamp]

Give it a go. I wouldn’t try heavy right now just do mediums and see how they do

[Paddy1951]

Originally Posted by Rodgers

I am using extra light strings out of respect for my fifty-year-old dreadnought. Would it be beneficial, tone-wise, to try heavier gauge strings, or is it not worth the risk? I would welcome any advice.

You could try tuning down 1/2 step to E flat and use Martin's light-mediums. You would be just heavier than lights and still get a full sound.

[Brucebubs]

There are several makers offering 'low-tension' string sets now - gives you the tonal benefits of thicker gauge strings without the added tension.

-Newtone Heritage
-SUS (Straight Up Strings)
-Santa Cruz Strings

[rokdog49]

Having listened to Tony Polecastro's You Tube comparison, I found myself liking the D'Addario Custom Lights of the four sets on the J45 he used to test them.That set would be 52-42-32-24-15-11 gauges.I have a set on order right now to try on my J45 for fun.
Personally, I thought the Medium Gauge were the least appealing sound wise. So did most of those who commented.
They were louder, but not by much and they had no character when used on that guitar...sounded pretty dead to me.
If you feel you are missing something, why not give it a go. It's not that expensive for a test that's for sure.

[WordMan]

Originally Posted by Rodgers

I am using extra light strings out of respect for my fifty-year-old dreadnought. Would it be beneficial, tone-wise, to try heavier gauge strings, or is it not worth the risk? I would welcome any advice.

What leads you to be concerned about risk? Any issues with the action, a bridge lift or strange noises? Most dreads can handle up to 13’s.

If you have any real concerns, get it checked out by a person who knows old guitars.

(I have had a ‘48 D-18 and have a ‘46 J-45. I use Bluegrass gauge - Light tops, Medium bottom strings because I like the tone. Never had issues.)

[redir]

Dreds are big and to drive the big tops often benefit from heavier strings. Wood doesn't really fatigue with age, in fact as it looses moisture content it gets stronger. Barring anything like fungus or rot the bracing is pretty much as strong or stronger as it was the day it was glued in. So if it's still glued in properly you should be ok. You can have a tech look inside to be sure or even do it yourself.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by Rodgers

I am using extra light strings out of respect for my fifty-year-old dreadnought. Would it be beneficial, tone-wise, to try heavier gauge strings, or is it not worth the risk? I would welcome any advice.

Hi, I think that you are unnecessarily babying your mature dread.

It was designed as a big boomy rhythm guitar. People used to use heavy gauge to get the power, but they really weren't necessary, but medium gauge is appropriate for a dread.

I believe that a large top benefits tonally by being driven by medium, or bluegrass gauge strings, but if you are using your guitar for light fingerstyle or some such, then maybe lights might suffice.

I understand that you are trying to avoid a neck reset, but at the expense of tone?

[dhodgeh]

I've got a 71 year old dreadnought than handles mediums just fine. Actual has never occurred to me to use anything else.

D

[Goat Mick]

As is the general consensus so far, I don't think they'll hurt your guitar physically however not all guitars like heavier strings. My J-45 and Taylor 710 sound their best with light gauge strings. The one guitar that I do have that is much happier with medium gauge strings is my Ibanez AVC6 which is a Grand Concert. I did have a Martin DM dread for a while that really came to life with medium gauge strings.

So yeah you're safe to try them but you may find that you like other gauges better.

[bluesfreek]

Nothing wrong with using light or even extra light gauge strings on your dread. That being said I just installed a brand new set of medium gauge (.013-.056) Martin Marquis 80/20 Bronze on my 43 year old 1976 Morris W604M dread without issues. It has super low action and sounds beautiful.

[Steadfastly]

If the bridge and tuners are in good condition you should be okay with mediums.

[RagtopGT]

Mediums sound great on a D-18. I've had them on my new D-18 but my fingers strongly object, especially the trebles which cut into my fingertips. Today I replaced the medium e, b, and G with lights but kept mediums for the E, A, and D.

We'll see if the experiment is successful.

[pandaroo]

Originally Posted by Paddy1951

You could try tuning down 1/2 step to E flat and use Martin's light-mediums. You would be just heavier than lights and still get a full sound.

Plus also use low tension strings together with this strategy