I’m getting back into playing after 20 years. The last strings I bought were at the music store. I never knew anything about gauge. I just said medium or fine.
I’ll be playing acoustic guitar. I’ve heard that the Martin Flexible Core are easier on the fingers. Anyone using them?
Whats the deal with having two light strings?
Martin MFX740 Flexible Core Light Acoustic Guitar Strings (12-54) (red cover)
Martin MFX675 Strings FX Flexible Core Lite 11-52 (purple cover)
what does the numbers mean? 11-52 12-54? They are making this stuff confusing these days.
I’ve forgotten a lot in 20 years. Isn’t medium for strumming? Fine, Lead or finger picking?
I’ll be strumming for awhile. After my fingers toughen maybe I should get mediums? … It Sounds like this may work for strumming and pickin.
Martin Strings FX Flexible Core Lite-Med 12.5-55 MFX645
The numbers refer to the thickness in thousands of an inch of the thinnest and thickest strings.
I play D’addario strings, 10-46 on my electrics and 13-56 on my acoustics.
I think you should start with light gauge for a while, then try mediums when you have built up some strength and callus. Heavier strings usually have better tone.
Well, the numbers are the range of the string gauges. So, 11-52 means the first string is 0.011 inches in diameter and the 6th string is 0.052 inches. Sometimes you’ll hear someone refer to their strings by the first string gauge, so a guitar with 11-52 strings may be said to be strung with “elevens”.
As far as what I’m using, I’ve got Martin SP mediums on my acoustic because my particular guitar sounds better with mediums than with light.
Anyone remember nashville straights? I used them in the 70’s on my guitar. They came in a long box. The string was never curled up. I recall that the straight string was easier to put on and they claimed it gave a better tone. All my teachers students used them on acoustic guitars.
They were sold for at least 5 or more years. I don’t recall when they disappeared.
I’m a total Elixir fan on acoustics. They are coated with some kind of micro-thin coating, and consequently last for ages before they lose tone. And they don’t squeak as much. I think they sound just fine too.
I’m partial to John Pearse phosphor bronze strings. I use medium gauge (13-56) on my Martin DM.
Note that in terms of gauge, the significant relationship is between the the strings and the guitar, not the strings and your fingers. Acoustic guitars are designed for a particular string gauge, and guitar set-ups are done with a particular gauge. Deviating from the correct gauge can be problematic. Using a lighter gauge than the instrument was designed for and set up for can cause weak volume and tinny tone, using a higher gauge can pull the guitar apart. If you want to use a different gauge, I suggest get a luthier’s advice on what can be used safely, and get the guitar set up to the strings you’ll use to get the best tone possible.
Thats a great point. I need to get my old Martin D18 checked out anyhow. I kept strings on it and tuned it annually. The neck looks fine. I want a Martin luthier to check it out. I’ve changed a lot in thirty years. I bet the wood in my guitar has too. I checked the Martin web site and they list three authorized service shops in my state.
Dean Markley Blue Steel, 11’s on my Tele, 9’s on my Schecter, 10’s on my Dot. I’ve got some D’Addairo 12’s I keep meaning to string on my Tele, just to get the full SRV effect.
I’ve heard Elixirs sound bad but I guess not everyone agrees with that. Also heard the coating comes off on your hand. My guitar teacher really hated them but maybe she was old fashioned. There are other brands of coated strings now , anyone use them?
I bet the wood in my guitar has too. I checked the Martin web site and they list three authorized service shops in my state.