All Walnut Guitar

kmtyb · #1 09-14-2021, 05:00 PM

I have a Taylor All Walnut GS Guitar that was made in 2009. It has clear fundamentals and good amount of sustain but I don't think I found the right string for this guitar yet. It still feels tight and on the quiet side. Any string recommendation for anyone who owns all walnut guitar? Currently I have SC Med on them and it sounds flat

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David Eastwood · #2 09-14-2021, 05:05 PM

What strings have you already tried?

kmtyb · #3 09-14-2021, 05:19 PM

It currently has SC Med and I have tried Elixir Med (hate the slippery feeling), EJ16, and Martin Lifespan. I have DAddario XT and XS in medium I want to try but I hate changing strings with a passion. I was hoping SC Med was the magic sauce.

David Eastwood · #4 09-14-2021, 05:33 PM

Have you considered that an all-walnut guitar might just not be for you?

gretsch4me · #5 09-14-2021, 05:33 PM

I just put some medium EB Aluminum Bronze on my Gibson J15...so walnut b/s anyway. Huge, HUGE killer tone!! Might be worth the effort to try on your Taylor.

dnf777 · #6 09-14-2021, 05:33 PM

Is the top walnut? (I know, you said all walnut). Not sure Ive seen a walnut top. Might try monels. They seem to work well on my taylor urban ash, which some liken to walnut. The Martin retros are monel, but theres an American Roots monel that is around $5, which sound just as good, at half the price.

kmtyb · #7 09-14-2021, 05:52 PM

Its walnut Top, Back and Sides. Its stunning to look at but the tone is lacking.

kmtyb · #8 09-14-2021, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Eastwood

Have you considered that an all-walnut guitar might just not be for you?

I think the same thing every time I play the guitar, but come to the conclusion that "guitar will open up" or need to find the right strings.

FingahPickah · #9 09-14-2021, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmtyb

I have a Taylor All Walnut GS Guitar that was made in 2009.

Is this the model? https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitar...-mini-e-walnut

A walnut top is very unusual.

Looks like you've tried all phosphor bronze strings. Perhaps try a medium gauge (fine for the short scale) in an 80/20 bronze - i.e. D'Addario EJ12 or GHS BB40M

AH Acoustic · #10 09-14-2021, 06:51 PM

It might help if you listed the strings you have tried, and what you recall about what you didn't like about them...

This might save you from having to explain each one as we suggest them?

Just a thought.

Retired1 · #11 09-14-2021, 06:51 PM

Where are you getting the American roots for $5 - best I've seen is $8

Rosewood99 · #12 09-14-2021, 06:57 PM

It’s always going to sound quiet. The same thing happened with an all ovangkol guitar I used to own. Both are hard woods and the tops do not provide a lot of volume.

nowgypsy · #13 09-14-2021, 07:34 PM

All the strings you listed were Medium gauge. You might try some light gauge strings. Not all guitars like mediums. They might be keeping the top from moving freely.

kmtyb · #14 09-14-2021, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FingahPickah

Is this the model? https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitar...-mini-e-walnut

A walnut top is very unusual.

Looks like you've tried all phosphor bronze strings. Perhaps try a medium gauge (fine for the short scale) in an 80/20 bronze - i.e. D'Addario EJ12 or GHS BB40M

Its a GS custom. Thank you for the advice. I will try to lighter strings and 80/20 bronze.

AcousticDreams · #15 09-14-2021, 08:36 PM

I have a couple of Walnut back and sides guitars....with Spruce tops.

Depending on the type of Walnut, it may not produce the attack times that Rosewood or mahogany does. Walnut can yield a more compressed sound. If that is the case with your guitar, that may be throwing you off. And you may just have to learn to adjust your playing style to it...and or use it on songs that compliment that dynamics and tone.

The Bass will open up on Walnut back and sides..with a little time. On one of mine the Bass is super strong. But again..that takes a little bit of time for that to open up.

I would suggest you stay with medium...and try Roundcore strings. Roundcores vary in sound between the different manufacturers of course. Sunbeams, a great sounding string, sounds lovely on rosewood, but for some reason did not work at all on my Walnut. However Newtone masterclass Roundcores give my Walnut a beautiful solid sound.

I looked up the specifications and I believe yours comes with a Tusq or Micarta nut. If so, then you might consider switching to a bone nut. That will make a big difference in tone.

It can of course cost a bit to experiment with all of the options, but I have found to find each guitars real value tone wise, is often dependent on nut and saddle materials and a specific string.