DADGAD strings?

[Don W]

I'm playing a lot in DADGAD...anyone have tips on what strings and gauges to use. I am playing a Larrivee L09 and using light gauge Elixir strings. The High E and B strings sound very tinny when tuned down this low. Do most of you have this issue or not. I understand that I could go to a medium gauge on these two strings or....?

[JERZEY]

Elixrs are tinny and metallic out of the gate. Depending on the guitar I use the following for DADGAD and other drop tunings:

-DR Rare 12-54 p/b. Pretty low tension feel.(dark and rich with great thundering low end)
-John Pearse 12-53 p/b. These are higher then average tension. (solid low end with lush mid range and respectable top end sparkle)

[JayBee1404]

GHS True Mediums - warm and loud, with medium 1st, 2nd and 6th (the strings that are ‘dropped’) and light 3rd, 4th, and 5th, tuned DADGAD they feel like a light set tuned EADGBE. And the heavier gauges prevent the drop-tuned strings from feeling ‘sloppy’.

Another good alternative is D’Addario EJ24 True Mediums, similar gauges to the GHS set.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Don W

I'm playing a lot in DADGAD...anyone have tips on what strings and gauges to use. I am playing a Larrivee L09 and using light gauge Elixir strings. The High E and B strings sound very tinny when tuned down this low. Do most of you have this issue or not. I understand that I could go to a medium gauge on these two strings or....?

Hi Don W
I've never had an exclusive guitar which only is played in alternate tunings, but I have found that by bumping the top string (the treble E) one weight, I can play as low as CGCGCD.

I leaned on the expertise of my luthier and had him setup the action and intonate my guitars with my bass E string tuned to a 'D'…this prevented the low string from becoming floppy.

[Highroller]

Personally, I've never found it necessary to assign specific gauge strings for DADGAD tuning. It's not so far off from standard tuning that whatever strings you normally use shouldn't be fine.

I think Elixir Lights are 12-53, right? Those can handle it, no problem. Maybe just time to change the strings, or possibly try something non-coated.

[Tony Burns]

With lights lowering the tension of the strings could give you some buzzing ,
maybe tiny sound - but after they set in for a couple of weeks ( now i have a new nut on my D-55 and on my Colby Horton 12 fret
with it being a slot head and a high saddle -by the way the action is not high on the guitar ) ive had no problems-
Id even go as far to say the Colby horton feels like it was made for lights strings and DADGAD. ( love that guitar )
Guess it takes some getting use to -

[Don W]

Originally Posted by JayBee1404

GHS True Mediums - warm and loud, with medium 1st, 2nd and 6th (the strings that are ‘dropped’) and light 3rd, 4th, and 5th, tuned DADGAD they feel like a light set tuned EADGBE. And the heavier gauges prevent the drop-tuned string from feeling ‘sloppy’.

Another good alternative is D’Addario EJ24 True Mediums, similar gauges to the GHS set.

This sounds interesting...I'm going to try a set of the GHS...sounds like they were made for DADGAD

[Treenewt]

I've been using Martin Retro Laurence Juber's on my Larrivee in CGCGCD, and I've really fallen in love with them. D'addaario makes a set in the same gauges I believe, labeled "True Mediums" if you prefer standard Phosphor Bronze.

FWIW, I've never liked Martin Retros on a guitar as much as I do this one, in this string and tuning combo. Really happy with this setup.

[TRose]

Originally Posted by Don W

I'm playing a lot in DADGAD...anyone have tips on what strings and gauges to use. I am playing a Larrivee L09 and using light gauge Elixir strings. The High E and B strings sound very tinny when tuned down this low. Do most of you have this issue or not. I understand that I could go to a medium gauge on these two strings or....?

Hey Don,
Being new to alternate tunings I was wondering the same recently. Complicating the issue( in my mind) is the fact that most of my instruments have shorter(24.75-24.9)scales.
In searching for previous threads that ask the same or a similar question I’ve gotten a variety of options/opinions.
Some experienced players use standard light strings. Many use New Mediums by a variety of makers.

I bet each individual instrument is unique and may require adjustments as needed. If you’re having the above mentioned issues try a set a New Mediums.
Keep us informed on what you try and what you find best works.

I’m about to explore multiple makers New Medium string sets.


I found this thread helpful:

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=508340

[Wrighty]

There are plenty of DADGAD specific options out there and I have tried almost all of them.

Ultimately I ended up back at standard light - usually 12-54 and most often Elixirs (I have never found them to sound in the slightest bit tinny, they are a warm sounding string in PB to my ears)

I doubt different strings or going to heavier gauge would solve your issue.

[shufflebeat]

I've found d'Addario ej19 "Bluegrass" strings sit nicely in DADGAD, also not too expensive. I've recently been exploring different specs including silk/steel and nickel-bronze for both DADGAD and Drop D and haven't really settled on anything worth the trouble or extra expense yet.

https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/stri...***-gauge-p204

[HFox]

Santa Cruz Guitar Company has announced that they have 3 new string sets coming soon.
A DADGAD set
A Baritone Set
A 12 string set.
All based upon their proper tension theory of string manufacture.
In a recent Podcast Richard Hoover said the were due out very soon.
I have ordered a DADGAD set and a 12 string set.

[donlyn]

DADGAD strings?

Originally Posted by donlyn
13s sound better?


I certainly think so. Except for my Alvarez which likes Light gauge, all my other 6 stringers have .013 in the treble 'e' slot. My Walnut has Mediums, but the others use Elixir HD Light gauge (.013-.053), including both large and small body guitars. The HD gauge gives a boost to the trebles while keeping the light gauge bass strings. Produces a nicely balanced all around sound. Since I fingerpick everything using my nails as picks, this is a very satisfying result.

Elixir HD Light: .013 .017 .025 .032 .042 .053 = 174 lbs. tension

Don

Don W, et alia,

Turns out I play in DADGAD too, and have at least one guitar in that tuning all the time. This Elixir HD gauge offers overall balance and a boost in the trebles for standard tuning. But it also works very well in DADGAD for the reasons you originally mentioned, that is, giving the "tinny" treble E and B strings you found a bit of a boost by using Medium gauge treble strings. This gauge is my favorite for six string guitars. See my posts, #11 and #41 under "13s sound better?".

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=607188

I think this might be the answer you are seeking, as it works quite well for me.

Don
.

[Naboz]

I've been set in DADGAD for 15 yrs. now (among other tunings), and (O.P.) I also have kept my Larrivee L03W in that tuning.
My tech' at Elderly Instruments recommended GHS True Medium many moons ago, and I so liked them that is my standard order--and they give my walnut L-body a really warm, balanced sound.
I have also tried the D'Addario and J. Pearse versions (New Medium/True Medium?). All three makers advertise these sets as designed for DADGAD, and I find it's not hype.
In order of preference, and it depends on the particular guitar also;
1-GHS, 2-J.Pearse, 3-D'Add'.
And after all of that said; my Martin DX1R (which I capo-2 in DADGAD) really sounds best with J. Pearse PB Lights! Go figure.

[M19]

John Pearse New Mediums.
Wyres Pierre Bensusan DADGAD strings. (These are hard to source now).