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Jeff Au Hoy
Aloha
USA
17 Posts |
 Posted - 06/08/2005 : 01:32:35 AM
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I have a recent Martin 000-15S. The manufacturer recommends against using any strings heavier than medium light (!). My question: if I tuned to a slack key tuning (e.g. taropatch), then would it be okay to use heavier strings on the guitar? I'd like to use mediums (0.013 top string).
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chunky monkey
Ha`aha`a
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2005 : 05:20:55 AM
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| Put on mediums and see if they like Taro Patch G. I've tried mediums on my Goodall, but I need to tune down one step to Taro Patch F. Both my guitars recommend lights, but I've switched often to try new stuff. the John Pearse Slack Key's (013 - 056) seem to work ok. I've also mixed sets, using a 013 and a 056 on the outside, but lights on the other. I like this combo best. |
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marzullo
`Olu`olu
USA
923 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2005 : 05:45:14 AM
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i usually agree with terry (he's one akamai guy) but i'd be worried about putting on heavier strings. from what i've heard, one shouldn't generalize from the way goodalls behave. i'd talk with your friendly neighborhood luthier.
aloha no,
keith |
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2005 : 07:48:14 AM
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Jeff,
I like 59-16's !!!
On my National.
I wouldn't be too concerned about a bit heavier guages. You can also customize guages (not just what comes in a package). So like try a 13 for the high D, but come down .01 or .02 for some of the remaining strings. If a package comes in say 13, 17 etc, change the 17 to a 15 and so forth.
Ps...with the 59-16's on my Style O, I can tune the bass string down to B, and still drive the cone!
Cmdr 'my cone's a rattling' Piffle |
my Poodle is smarter than your honor student |
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Keone
Akahai
50 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2005 : 7:28:55 PM
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Jeff,
I've used medium on my Taylor and liked them. They definitely gave a meatier sound, especially when tuned with a C on the 6th string. I got a little buzz with the light gauge and that's why I tried the mediums. But I'll tell you, I've had many people caution me about using heavier gauges on guitars without them being set up for them even when slacked for an open or alterative tuning. For example, on my Taylor I could use them (it was sitka spruce and indian rosewood... the Sitka top could handle the heaver gauge),but I had to have the neck readjusted for the added tension. It was clearly set up for light strings. On my goodall, which is engleman spruce on top..it is not recommended by James Goodall and others not to use anything but light gauge. The Englemann is too soft a wood and the general sentiment it that its not good for the topwood to have those gauges on the guitar (and not necessary). Truthfully, I geat great sound with light gauge strings and get no buzz what so ever on my low strings, even when tuning low. I don't find I need to put on heavier gauges. I think the type of topwood is important when considering string gauge.
But my experience is limited and I tend to be fairly conservative with my guitars. I think experimenation is great and important so I would say that it might not be a problem to slap them on and see what it sounds like, but if you want to keep them on for an extended period of time then I would talk to a luthier or the expert at your local friendly guitar shop to to see if there would be a problem over the longer term or to see if the neck or truss rod has to be adjusted. |
Keone |
Edited by - Keone on 06/08/2005 7:35:28 PM |
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`Ilio Nui
`Olu`olu
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2005 : 04:53:59 AM
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Jeff,
You might want to shoot off an email to Dennis Lake at http://www.konaweb.com/mahina/ . He's a world class luthier for guitar and ukulele and he's been an authorized Martin repairman since 1969. My main concern would not be the 013 or the 056 strings. The greatest tension on the neck is the D and G strings which remain the same tension in Taro Patch. As suggested above, you might go to the heavier gauge, but tune to F and use a capo for G. The nice thing about this is the ability to play with uke players (if that's a nice thing? Sorry, Keith)
Dave |
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wdf
Ha`aha`a
USA
1153 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2005 : 07:45:54 AM
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| One thing that I have tried, that works well, is to use lights on strings 2, 3, 4, and 5 and mediums on strings 1 and 6. This would not appreciably increase the tension when tuned to taropatch. |
Dusty |
Edited by - wdf on 06/09/2005 07:46:33 AM |
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marzullo
`Olu`olu
USA
923 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2005 : 08:42:15 AM
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quote:
The nice thing about this is the ability to play with uke players (if that's a nice thing? Sorry, Keith)
hey! we'll see if you drink my beer while we're jamming on the deck of your hale. dennis is bringing my new lake ukulele to camp, ya-hoo! 
aloha,
keith |
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Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2005 : 10:17:45 AM
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There is an interesting sidebar to Dusty's suggestion. It turns out that most/many guitars, especially those by one person or small shops, have a very unpleasant tone on the first string with certain string guages/masses. We encountered that with one of our McCollums and Lance told me just to increase the 1st string guage one mil and it would sound fine. As in everything he ever told me, Lance was right. So, we have some guitars with variant 1st string sizes that we buy as singles.
...Reid |
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`Ilio Nui
`Olu`olu
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2005 : 11:30:25 AM
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Keith.
That's Okay, I'll just put your chair at the bottom of the stairs, out in da grass. If you remember, there's usually enough drinks of some sort or other at my hale. Mark tells me we're in the same one so come on by Uke and all. I don't know if you remember Bill and Erica, but they're coming this year. Should be some more great music. I look forward to seeing the new Po Mahina.
Now back to the topic; String Gauges (notice that's Gau not Gua. Seems to be a tough one for all of us)
Mahaloz
Dave |
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Jeff Au Hoy
Aloha
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2005 : 12:20:01 PM
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Thanks for all the replies guys. I have read and will now read again. This forum rocks!
Here's another question... do any of you play, in slack key tuning, Django's "Nauges"? Wait... Nu... Dang it! |
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2005 : 1:39:03 PM
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| Giulty I am........ |
my Poodle is smarter than your honor student |
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