I found string gauges that I like on my F-40T

[schoolie]

There was something I didn't like in the high end of my F-40 Traditional, a little thin on top. I had it strung with D'Addario Light 80/20 strings. Well, I bought some single 0.013" and 0.017" plain strings that arrived today. These are the same gauges in the medium string pack. I replaced the high E and B strings with the medium strings and I really love the way it sounds. It only adds about 7lbs over the light-gauge set. I could also replace the low E string with a 0.056" and it would add less than 3lbs of tension. I didn't want to upgrade all the strings to medium given my low saddle issues, so this was the perfect solution. DIdn't even need to touch the truss rod.

Worth a shot if you like experimenting with string gauges.

 

[GGJaguar]

Interesting! I don't find the top end to be thin on my F-40 Traditional, but your fix may be worth a try just for the sake of science.

 

[Westerly Wood]

You can build your own custom set on strings by mail site. D’A pb strings too.

 

[Westerly Wood]

80/20 alloy too I guess:

https://www.stringsbymail.com/acoustic-guitar-strings-7/daddario-15/acoustic-single-strings-605/

 

[schoolie]

Thanks for the link! I hate to say it but I think the 3-packs of light sets plus the 2 singles per set works out cheaper than the custom sets. Need more coffee to be sure

 

[WaltW]

There was something I didn't like in the high end of my F-40 Traditional, a little thin on top. I had it strung with D'Addario Light 80/20 strings. Well, I bought some single 0.013" and 0.017" plain strings that arrived today. These are the same gauges in the medium string pack. I replaced the high E and B strings with the medium strings and I really love the way it sounds. It only adds about 7lbs over the light-gauge set. I could also replace the low E string with a 0.056" and it would add less than 3lbs of tension. I didn't want to upgrade all the strings to medium given my low saddle issues, so this was the perfect solution. DIdn't even need to touch the truss rod.

Worth a shot if you like experimenting with string gauges.

I restrung my D66 today with .0115 custom Marquis set and it's so much easier on the fingers but I do identify with your (a little thin on top) statement. It's a good idea about making the change. Once my fingers toughen up, just started playing again after 10 years, I'll seriously give your idea a try.

 

[ClaytonS15]

I’ve literally been thinking about doing exactly that! I’ll report back when I finally do it either with my GF40 or GV52. The X-500 is happy with John Pearce 12s though.
Edit: I’m especially tempted because I often play in open D and open G tunings on acoustic.

 

[valleyguy]

I bought a new F40 standard after playing it in the store for half an hour, however, like you, after some time I found the top unwound strings weak, the second string in open position almost like it’s a dead spot. I tried some string changes (I use phosphor bronze, exclusively, but found DaDarrios XS 80/20 sound pretty good.

That said , I found Pick choice makes a big difference (fingers sound fine). I typically use 1.4, beveled picks. Thinner picks like 0.8 or 1.0 depending on material sound much better, albeit a brighter sound.

Thanks a lot for posting this, I will be getting some thicker strings to try out. I otherwise love the sound of this guitar, get a lot of positive comments from others that hear it.

Where did you buy the singles from?

 

[schoolie]

I really like the Cool brand celluloid picks 1.0mm.
I bought the strings from juststrings.com. Their prices are pretty good, but maybe there's a better source.

I've settled on 0.056, 0.042, 0.032, 0.024, 0.017, 0.013. I just bought 5 sets of the single D'Addario strings. With shipping it's about $10/set.

 

[valleyguy]

So you put mediums on the 6th string also, or is that a typo? If so, curious why you did that one too.

You stuck with 80/20s?

I’d like to change only the wound strings as I like using Martins Lifespan and DaDarrio’s XS strings. I really don’t like changing strings, these easily last three to four times longer.

Thanks again for posting this. I hope it works. I bought a used D4 20 years ago and had the same issue. I ended up selling it.

 

[schoolie]

I swapped out the low E for a medium because it only added 2.7lbs of tension, so I thought why not! LOL I thought it might be nice to have some extra thump and it flattens out the tension across strings. I'll report back whether I like it when my strings arrive.

Edit: Forgot to add that tuning to Eb with mediums also sounds much better, and the tension is only about 4lbs greater than a light set at E standard.