acoustic strings

[shooter]

looking for a recommendation, vs internet darts


got a Fender, guessing '90s, pegged strings at the bridge
quality, easy on arthritic fingers, anything else is passed my skill level 


thanks
dave

[acheld]

Shooter, your best bet is to go to your local music store and ask for the lightest set of acoustic strings they have.    Brand is irrelevant -- I'm not saying there is no difference, but it doesn't matter.   I play all electric now, but I can tell you that Fender makes a decent acoustic string, and Martin of course.   

[sluckey]

I use these Elixirs on my Taylor 614. They are easy on the fingers.

https://www.amazon.com/Elixir-Strings-Acoustic-NANOWEB-012-053/dp/B0002E1O2C/ref=sr_1_3?crid=38BCRPMT6H8WO&dchild=1&keywords=elixer+lite+guitar+strings+acoustic&qid=1622078394&sprefix=elixer%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-3

I like Martin Marquis lights on my D45. Not quite as finger easy as the Elixirs but have a very nice sound.

And back in the '70s I used Ernie Ball silk and steel on my Gibson J-45. Very easy on the fingers, a bit soft sounding and need to be replaced regularly, else they begin to sound dull.

https://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Ball-Earthwood-Steel-Acoustic/dp/B0002DVB6W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3I2VNPWS0VDUF&dchild=1&keywords=ernie+ball+silk+and+steel&qid=1622078858&sprefix=ernie+ball+silk+%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-1

[scstill]

I play alot of acoustic guitar Taylor, Martin, and swear by D'addario EXP16
Phosphor Bronze is the definite way to go.
This is a great value coated string that sounds good and last

https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-EXP16-Phosphor-Acoustic-Strings/dp/B0002E3CJ0/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=exp16+strings+light&qid=1622081772&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExTDVSVUVZRjZYVUsxJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjAxNDc0MkRFMlMxOVg0UzZUTCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODA2Mjg5MU85VkNDVTRLOVBXNiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

[Latole]

It is important to keep the same string gauge as otherwise the curvature of the neck may change and require an adjustment of the truss rod.
A larger gauge than the original will probably make the neck bend and make the action higher making it harder to play.

In summary, identify the current gauge and buy the same or smaller (easier to play) and have the truss rod adjusted to avoid buzz.

[shooter]

Thanks for the reply's, orders going in.


my "local" guitar store is guitar center, and the few times I went there, they were way more interested in my $$'s than ANY information!


My Dad passed the Fender to me before He passed.  When I 1st picked up the guitar and played 10-15yrs ago, it played itself and Dad commented "wow, you been practicing a lot", I laughed and said, nope, this guitar knows I can't play so it's playing for me.


dave

[pdf64]

I’m a big fan Elixirs too, they sound great, have a smooth feel, and never seem to age.
I play backing to the real musicians at an Irish traditional music session every week, and regular strings sound dull and feel dead after a couple of months.
Another guitarist recommended Elixirs and they’ve been a revelation.

Actually, dropping down a gauge, eg 12s down to 11s, might lower the action a bit, and make it a bit easier to play. Of course the risk is that it may cause a bit if fret buzz, especially when playing hard.
It may be safer to get the same gauge ( if that can be determined) and tune down a half step, or even a full step, until hand strength builds back up.

[shooter]

Thanks pdf64
the ones on now sound dull, no spark, "dirty/sticky" feel.  I really liked 11's on the electric, wasn't sure if that carried over on acoustics.  the current one's are larger than i'm used to on the electric, so guessing 12's.

[Latole]

Sluckey show a link for 011 acoustic;

https://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Ball-Earthwood-Steel-Acoustic/dp/B0002DVB6W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3I2VNPWS0VDUF&dchild=1&keywords=ernie+ball+silk+and+steel&qid=1622078858&sprefix=ernie+ball+silk+%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-1

From 012 to 011 your guitar may need a truss rod adjustment.

When I need to know witch gauge are the strings, I use a micrometer

[acheld]

One more brand to throw in the mix -- sitstrings.com.   Not expensive, wound in the USA (I think), and great quality.  I've used both electric and acoustic.    They do make a 10-48 acoustic string set, which I have not used, but that should be real nice on the fingers if they will work with your guitar.   

[shooter]

your guitar may need a truss rod adjustment.

I don't think that's the reason I suck at guitar

[rake]

Can't get much easier on your fingers than these!

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/41Y18MA530--martin-authentic-acoustic-superior-performance-guitar-strings-92-8-phosphor-bronze-extra-light?mrkgadid=3332529210&mrkgcl=28&mrkgen=gpla&mrkgbflag=0&mrkgcat=guitars&acctid=21700000001645388&dskeywordid=92700046938598309&lid=92700046938598309&ds_s_kwgid=58700005283398287&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000007215323&dsproductgroupid=655013166861&product_id=41Y18MA530&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=online&storeid=&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&adpos=largenumber&locationid=9009634&creative=332063179647&targetid=pla-655013166861&campaignid=1708733951&awsearchcpc=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhr2FBhDbARIsACjwLo2nTmRyD5QyKp3O0-8jVRogOKzgjIdRNLUw_EiBdPKm9rv0QNt_4J0aAvLcEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[G._Hoffman]

going lower than 12's will really effect the sound of your guitar.  But the setup is VASTLY more important than the gauge of the strings.  If the neck angle and frets are right, I can easily get a guitar with mediums (13's) to play very comfortably.  Admittedly, a 25-30 year old Fender is unlikely to be spot on for either the frets or the neck angle (some guitars just aren't built to last forever, which is why they are cheap).  Still, I'd be willing to bet that, if your guitar ain't treating you right, a professional setup will get you further than using strings which move the top of the guitar.
Gabriel

[shooter]

Thanks, This guitar comes out of the case "pre-tuned"!  I only ever have to tweak the small string, the rest are +/- 10c.  doesn't matter if it's  a day or 3 months.
I'm NOT a guitarist, if the tuner says it's good, that's as good as I am 
I need 30 second sound clips for my Aerial Videography, so i'm trying to pluck out something that I can edit in Audacity and "improve"


Building amps I needed something for "base-line" before I hunted up a musician to help dial in the amp.  So I have a " 5 minute lick" I call Test pattern.  since all my video gets rendered down to < 3minutes, the math works 


dave