The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 03-08-2018, 02:10 PM
stratobobster stratobobster is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
Default Taylor String Recommendations - HD Lights

I swear that less than a year ago, the Taylor 814ce came with Elixir HD Lights, and those same strings were recommended on the website. Now it looks like the guitar comes with Lights, and any mention of HD Lights has been removed from the website. Anybody have an insight into this change?

Thanks,
Bob
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-08-2018, 02:44 PM
troystory92 troystory92 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 369
Default

Unsure why they made the change but I still put HD Lights on my 214
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-08-2018, 02:46 PM
vindibona1 vindibona1 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Chicago- North Burbs, via Mexico City
Posts: 5,219
Default

No insight into the change, but perhaps some insight into the "effect".

Heavier strings emphasize fundamental tones but provide less overtones. The HD Lights, developed by Elixir specifically for Taylor were designed to make Taylor guitars sound less "bright". Hold that thought for a moment.

Why not just go with medium strings? Taylor's sound-claim to fame is their overtones and resultant harmonics. If you put a .056 string on the bottom it kills off many of the overtones and harmonics that create sympathy with other overtone and result in "resultant harmonics" which make their guitars sound fuller, richer... and sometimes brighter. Putting a heavier bottom string on a Taylor can actually reduce the overall bass projection somewhat as it reduces overtone.

So, creating a hybrid set with heavier strings on the high end should have balanced out the sound but I think they found that overall it didn't and created more issues than it solved, possibly because there are so many variables across their line of guitars that it didn't make sense to put HD Lights on at the factory.

Just my opinion and speculation.
__________________
Assuming is not knowing. Knowing is NOT the same as understanding. There is a difference between compassion and wisdom, however compassion cannot supplant wisdom, and wisdom can not occur without understanding. facts don't care about your feelings and FEELINGS ALONE MAKE FOR TERRIBLE, often irreversible DECISIONS
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-08-2018, 03:52 PM
fazool's Avatar
fazool fazool is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 16,562
Default

My Taylors originally came with lights (12-53). I like lighter strings and switched to Custom Lights (11-52) and love this gauge.

When Taylor concocted the new HD light combination, it was intended to balance out the infamous Taylor-brightness by beefing up the low gauges.

I tried them, and didn't like them, at all.

I switched back to Custom lights but those became hard to find. GC even stopped stocking them because everyone was getting on the HD Light bandwagon.

So, I bought my Custom Lights online and even that was getting harder.

About 18 (?) months ago, I noticed GC is stocking Custom Lights again online. And other online stores carry them again. Then GC has them in the store again.

Then I notice Taylor quietly stops talking about HD Lights and touting them as the perfect string for their guitars.

So, I think it was well-intended marketing flop.
__________________
Fazool "The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter"

000-15 / GC7 / GA3-12 / SB2-C / SB2-Cp / AVC-11MHx / AC-240
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-08-2018, 03:55 PM
Frogstar Frogstar is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 486
Default

Hopefully they're not going anywhere, as the HD Lights are my preferred strings on my GS5 and my Seagull.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-08-2018, 04:44 PM
Earl49 Earl49 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Idaho
Posts: 10,982
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fazool View Post
So, I think it was well-intended marketing flop.
Agreed. HD Lights are heavier trebles and light basses. I usually use medium-light sets (medium gauge bass, light gauge trebles) or full medium sets. I never got the logic or the appeal. Even though I was given a set at a Road Show, they are still unused in a box around here somewhere. I might try them on a parlor when it next needs strings, to get a little more horsepower out of that little body.

Maybe I should get together with an HD Light player. We can swap so they can use the heavier trebles, and I will take the heavier basses off their hands. Or not.......
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-08-2018, 07:17 PM
boombox boombox is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,204
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogstar View Post
Hopefully they're not going anywhere, as the HD Lights are my preferred strings on my GS5 and my Seagull.
My concern too. When I got my 712e 12 fretter, it came with HD Lights. I was a bit sceptical at first as those thick trebles killed my nails. However, when I switched back to more flesh than nail, I fell in love with them. Looks like I may need to stockpile to put off the inevitable when stocks run out.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-08-2018, 08:25 PM
ChalkLitIScream ChalkLitIScream is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 924
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fazool View Post
So, I bought my Custom Lights online and even that was getting harder.
I also play 11 52s exclusively. Where do you order yours?
I get mine from strings and beyond, usually when they have their free shipping promo. Can't complain with the prices
__________________
The past: Yamaha AC3R (2016) Rose, Eastman AC822ce-FF (2018)
The present:Taylor 614-ce (2018) Clara, Washburn Dread (2012)
The future:Furch Rainbow GC-CR (2020)Renata?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-09-2018, 11:52 AM
stratobobster stratobobster is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
Default

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. Sounds like it seemed like a good idea to Taylor for a while (for marketing or other reasons). In any case, when I see a guitar with the scale length and body size of an 814, I would normally expect to see mediums as the recommended string gauge. I thought that the HD Lights seemed like a reasonable compromise.
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:08 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=