Tried Going Down To 11's

[crank]

On my G37. My left hand gets tired from playing it, especially since I've been using a capo a lot lately or maybe because I'm 66. IDK.

I hate the lighter strings for flatpicking. Doesn't have nearly the punch of 12's. Oddly though, at least I think it's odd, It sounds a bunch better and is easier to get notes to ring out when I'm fingerpicking. I tried some medium gauge a couple years back and did not notice much of a volume or tone difference from the heavier strings and went right back to lights. I'll leave these on a bit and probably go back to mediums.

 

[jedzep]

Try mediums tuned down a step D-D. It'll give you just 30 lbs less pull than 12s at concert pitch, which you can easily get to with your capo at 2, yet with enough torque to drive the top. You also get the benefit of a couple extra vocal keys. I keep all my guitars set up like this, and find it much easier on my 70 yr old working hands.

 

[Br1ck]

Get a fret level and crown. That will enable neck relief to about .004. I'm 73 and play .013s on two guitars. Also spend some time lightening up on your fret pressure. Most of us bear down too hard. A very flat neck will allow lower action. Every instrument I've had set up by a pro has come back playing and sounding better. Spend a couple hundred bucks. You're worth it.

 

[crank]

I think I'm gonna try answer 1 with the mediums tuned down and capo. My action is good. I have had a good luthier do adjustments over the years. I mostly have a light touch because I worked on that for a while and I also play slide on her so I am about as low, action-wise as I want to be.

 

[Westerly Wood]

If it weren’t for the too skinny B|E strings, I would switch to .11s. The other 4 strings are near perfect.

 

[crank]

This is the exact system I use, and it is perfect for small venues. 2 singers, 1 acoustic guitar (me) and 1 bass/electric guitar

We last played at a large restaurant for a holiday party (approx. 150 people), and surprisingly it was not powerful enough to cut through the chatter.

Would like to find something portable but more powerful than the Fishman for this type of venue (in case they ask us back).

If it weren’t for the too skinny B|E strings, I would switch to .11s. The other 4 strings are near perfect.

Yes I'm also thinking about swapping the B/E for higher gauge strings.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Yes I'm also thinking about swapping the B/E for higher gauge strings.

You can make your own set of D'Addarios on stringsbymail website.

 

[Br1ck]

I'd point out that I am not a low action kind of guy, but I can play with some pain, mostly thumbs, and the stiffness and minor pain goes away with playing. I'd count my hands a 3 out of ten among my peers. I also wonder how much I can back off after I get hearing aids and can see maybe I dig in too hard. When I relax my pick grip, I tend to become more fluid and even with my flatpicking.

 

[Westerly Wood]

I'd point out that I am not a low action kind of guy, but I can play with some pain, mostly thumbs, and the stiffness and minor pain goes away with playing. I'd count my hands a 3 out of ten among my peers. I also wonder how much I can back off after I get hearing aids and can see maybe I dig in too hard. When I relax my pick grip, I tend to become more fluid and even with my flatpicking.

I have mostly abandoned a plectrum these days. No more 2.0s lol. Just use my hand now.

 

[AcornHouse]

You can make your own set of D'Addarios on stringsbymail website.

It’s pretty much all mix and match in the serious classical world. They rarely use a complete set.

 

[NEALLA]

Try mediums tuned down a step D-D. It'll give you just 30 lbs less pull than 12s at concert pitch, which you can easily get to with your capo at 2, yet with enough torque to drive the top. You also get the benefit of a couple extra vocal keys. I keep all my guitars set up like this, and find it much easier on my 70 yr old working hands.

Even 1/2 step down helps with 13s, and my vocals. I do everything 1/2 step down now, except a couple songs a full step down.

 

[jedzep]

Any ratcheting down helps. One of the things I like about a full step drop is that transposing songs frequently keeps chord progressions in easiest to play 'cowboy' patterns. Half step down often causes the need for more tiring barre chords. You do need the mediums, nevertheless, to keep the top moving at your instrument's upper range of it's efficiency.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I have been experimenting with string gauges for the past year or so.
Right now, I have an OM size guitar tuned D to D with light gauge strings on it.
I like the results so far.
My hands are getting arthritic and finding ways to play in less finger pain is a high priority now.

I had to quit playing 12 string due to hand issues but my Guild 8 string baritone is easy to play with medium gauge strings and tuned D to D.
This lower tension is making both guitars a lot easier to play.

I agree that having a good set up and level frets is a big part of easier playing.

 

[HeyMikey]

If you don’t want to go full 13 mediums experiment with a hybrid/ bluegrass set, which is 12 light top and medium bottom. These still let you tune down a step and keep tension on the bottom strings so they don’t pull off. However with light gauge on the upper strings it doesn’t hurt as much. Still a nice rich sound.

D'Addario EJ Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings EJ19 Bluegrass 12-56

D'Addario EJ Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings EJ19 Bluegrass 12-56 - Play with the D'Addario EJ Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings that made D'Addario and so many artists famous! "We love their strings, great tone and long lasting!" - Darius Rucker D'Addario EJ Phosphor Bronze...

www.stringsandbeyond.com

They also come in 80/20’s

D'Addario EJ 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings EJ14 Bluegrass 12-56

D'Addario EJ 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings EJ14 Bluegrass 12-56 - Play with the D'Addario EJ 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings pioneered by D'Addario Sr. himself in the 1930's! These 80/20 Bronze strings are known for their traditional flavor and played by artists such as Jewel and...

www.stringsandbeyond.com

 

[plaidseason]

I'll add that roundcore strings, like DR Sunbeams seem to be easier to play.

 

[Westerly Wood]

I got a 3 pack of Martin M140s for $20 in Amazon cart. They are decent all around strings, and the E is .54 and the G is .25, the rest, standard light gauges. Every little bit helps...

 

[Maguchi]

On my G37. My left hand gets tired from playing it, especially since I've been using a capo a lot lately or maybe because I'm 66. IDK.

I hate the lighter strings for flatpicking. Doesn't have nearly the punch of 12's. Oddly though, at least I think it's odd, It sounds a bunch better and is easier to get notes to ring out when I'm fingerpicking. I tried some medium gauge a couple years back and did not notice much of a volume or tone difference from the heavier strings and went right back to lights. I'll leave these on a bit and probably go back to mediums.

You do whatever string gauge works best for your hands and whatever tuning works best for your playing style and choice of music. All of our hands are different and have gone through different things. 11s, 12s and 13s all sound really good on acoustic guitars. Is one a little louder or brighter or darker? Sure. But you can move the mic in a little closer or turn up the fader on the PA or preamp volume control and turn the tone knob or move the EQ faders.

I din't know there were different gauges of strings and started out on 13-56 "medium" strings and played those for a coupla decades. Over the years I dropped down a gauge or two and now use 12-54 on 24 3/4" Gibson scale acoustics and 11-52 on 25 1/2" scale acoustics. I pick hard on my dreadnaughts with 11-52s and get a huge sound. YMMV, you do you!

 

[rmoretti49]

If it weren’t for the too skinny B|E strings, I would switch to .11s. The other 4 strings are near perfect.

Yes I'm also thinking about swapping the B/E for higher gauge strings.

Take a look at Elixir HD strings. Might be just what you want.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Take a look at Elixir HD strings. Might be just what you want.

in the amazon cart now, well, "save for later"...thanks for the tip!

 

[Wellington]

I've played 11's for acoustic most of my 20 years of playing, sometimes I throw 12's on for a change. Recently I've been on a 12's kick as I've been strumming more hard which is unusual for me. Enjoying them.