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Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 4
| Hi. I recently purchased an Ovation GC057 and switched the strings wth Martin M150 80/20 Bronze Medium Gauge strings. However, I do not like the feel of them as there seems to be greater string action, thus making it more difficult to cleanly play notes/chords higher on the fret board. Are they any string sets/gauges you guys recommend for my guitar? Thanks for your help! |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I'd put on D'Addario Lights. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I had one, Black! (sold it). I used D'Addario EJ15's or EJ16's...
15's are kinda quiet, but real easy to play. Good if you are plugging-in anyway.
EJ16's for more acoustic volume, and mid/bass range.
EJ15 - .010 to .047 (extra-light)
EJ16 - .012 to .053 (light) |
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Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 4
| Thank you both for your responses. Now as for D'Addario light(s), can you explain more about the tonality of the EJ15 and EJ16. How quiet are the EJ15 compared to EJ16? I'm asking this because I would like easy playability without sacrificing volume/tone due to the strings because the GC057 is quiet as it is. |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I'm not really sure what you mean by how quiet they are. Reading between the lines I hear that you haven't experimented much with strings so this is what I'd recommend:
1)Two weeks with EZ890's these are super lights.
2)For two months everyday with extra lights (EJ15's, EXP15, EXP10, EJ10) any of those will do.
2)Then play for two months with custom lights (EJ26, EXP26 or EXP13)
3)Then move up to lights where you'll be much happier. (EXP11, EXP16, EJ16, EZ910, EJ11)
At each juncture you'll have to tweak the truss rod a little.
Incidently, I don't know these string sizes off the top of my head, but I'd recommend that you go to the D'Addario website, and have them send you their free catalog which lists all their strings giving both guage, composition and tension. Plus they give a free sticker!
Welcome aboard ZW. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | I put a set of Martin Clapton's Choice lights on my Folklore and seem to like them. For some reason they were cheaper than what seemed to be the same Martin strings without Clapton's name on them. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 347
Location: Reno, NV | EJ26 are 11's. Id recommend trying that before going all the way down to 10's (EJ15). 10 sound REALLY thin IMO. Another good string to try is the Dean Marlkey GoldPhos LT 11-52.
Claptons choice are the same as the Martin SP's, except the core wires come from a different supplier and the plain strings are not bronze coated.
strings go from extra lights ...custom lights ...lights |
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Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 1
Location: Philadelphia, PA | Hi All,
I got a GC057 a couple months ago, and it is a really great guitar. (I have the Ruby Red.) Anyway, when I was buying it, the strings it came with were too heavy for what I was used to on my solid bodies (D'addario 10's), so I asked the sales guy what he recommended. He recommended Elixir Custom Lights (.011-.052), and was kind enough to include a set. I like the coating, other people may not. It seems to cut down on string squeak, in my opinion.
I also liked the sound of the guitar with the lighter strings. It seemed a bit too bass heavy with the heavier strings, but with the custom lights it sounded more even, to me at least.
Cheers,
- JFM |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | ZWX09 : Stick to gauge 12 - 54 and Keep the Volume & Tone....Adjust your guitar instead..
My youngest son has the CG 047 ( lefthand equivalent ), He experienced the same thing , and here is what I did :
1)
Loosen/Remove strings
2)
Lift PU/Saddle with tweezer or small pliers
3)
Remove 2 shims ( plastic strips ) it`s likely there are 3 shims ,.. put P U back.
4)
Put strings in place , Tune up..you `re done..
BUT ..when action is still a little High..
5)
Adjust Trussrod , insert appropriate wrench ( access is through sound-hole )..
Looking from Body to Headstock :
..Turn wrench 1/5 turn clockwise to (tighten truss ) to Lower headstock/strings = Lower Action
..Turning Counter-clockwise would heigthen the action ..
never more than 1/5 turn per day :)
Vic |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 347
Location: Reno, NV | Measure your action at 12th Fret, as described in the Ovation manual. Id remove shims till you get in the 3/32 range (6th String -E-). Thats pretty much the standard for acoustic guitars, anything lower is considered "low".
The trussrod, for the most part, is used to create relief in the neck, you should not use it as your primary fucntion to change your action height, although it does have a slight effect on action. You could conceivably have a high action and a neck with no relief or "warped" condition and tighening will only make the playability worse.
Get yourself a 6 inch steel ruler that has 1/64's measurments. Radioshack has them. It will be your best guitar tuning tool. |
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Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 4
| Thank you all for your invaluable information. From what I gathered, gauge 10 tend to be less full in tone than 11 and 12's. Therefore, I was looking at either D'Addario EJ16 (12's) and D'Addario EJ26(11's). I assume most of you, if not all, had experiences with these two sets. This brings up 2 questions:
(1)What differences do these 2 sets offer?
(2)What are the differences between Phosphor Bronze and 80/20 Bronze strings?
Any opinions of my choice of strings is welcomed! |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 347
Location: Reno, NV | Well they're essentially the same strings, just different guages, same materials, same design, same alloys, etc... the difference is purely in the physics generated by less string mass.
If you want to really study difference in strings you gotta look to different designs...
Round core vs Hex Core
Core Material
Alloy blend 80/20 vs 92/8 vs 85/15 etc
Coated vs Non Coated (including coating meterial)
Cryogenically treated
etc.... the list goes on |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | What kind of strings..
http://www.martinstrings.com/strings/stringselect.html
..differences of strings explained..( click on pictures )..
http://guitar.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=guita...
..print your own music sheets..( anything )
http://www.blanksheetmusic.net/
..and for the technically inclined..
http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/Phys/Class/sound/u11l5b.html
Tip : When using ELIXIR , choose a gauge bigger .. ( fx. instead of Martin bronze 12 - 54 use Elixir 13 - 56 )
How to Play Guitar :
...??...( no idea ) :)
Vic |
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Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 4
| Well, I can confidently say I know the physics behind it (fundamental pitches, overtones, and actually how to calculate them lol) and how to play the guitar. I just never experimented with different types of strings until now. I've tried D'Addario, Martin, and Elixirs before, but most of the time on my electric, not acoustic. After playing my Ovation, I realized that hopefully Lights will offer more playability than Mediums and maybe project as much as the Mediums do?? Now, if only I can find the 20% coupon Musiciansfriend sent me... :rolleyes: |
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GC057 + String Gauge
