D-55 String recommendations

[suave eddie]

Hi all.

A few years ago I obtained a beautiful '92 Westerly D-55. When I first got it I put new strings on it. I can't remember if they were 10s or 11s, but they were too light as they produced some fret buzz, and I didn't like the decrease in volume that I seemed to hear. I immediately replaced them with D'Addario EJ16-3D Phospor Bronze 12-53. I bought several sets and have been using these ever since.

I play mostly electric, and this Guild really does not get much play time. I use 10s on my electric, so consequently whenever I pull out the acoustic, the strings feel very heavy. I don't want to sacrifice sound for lighter gauge strings and also don't want to have to alter the setup (raise the action). Are there other strings with a bit less tension that I could use. I see another thread regarding new Guild branded "Balanced Tension" strings. What are your experiences with these. It's probably been at least 30 years since I have experimented with acoustic strings. I have a feeling I probably would not like the sound from silk&steel on the D-55.

Those of you playing D-55s--what strings are you using?

Thanks

 

[GardMan]

I like John Pearse PB lights on my '92 D-55. Can't say how they rate tension wise, but they are a pretty standard light gauge (0.012 to 0.053). I find them very comfortable to play.

If your guitar was set up for 0.012 to 0.053s, and you put lighter gauge strings on, the decrease in string tension would allow the neck to relax a bit ... which could then cause your fret buzz. Loosening the truss a smidge (to put some relief back in the neck) would likely have eliminated the buzz. On the other hand, the lighter strings might not drive the top as efficiently, resulting in reduced volume (and even tone).

One other thing to check... if your 55 feels markedly more comfortable to play with a capo on fret 1, compared to open (no capo; try a couple chord formations w/ and w/o a capo), it may be that you need to have the action at the nut lowered a tiny bit. A tiny change in nut action can make a BIG difference in playing ease. You might have your tech look at it.

Good luck!

 

[West R Lee]

I've been a proponent of John Pearse 80/20 lights since I've been an LTG member. If I were a flatpicker, I'd probably go with JP PB lights. And I absolutely love JP 80/20 lights for fingerpicking my D55.

West

 

[suave eddie]

On the other hand, the lighter strings might not drive the top as efficiently, resulting in reduced volume (and even tone).

When I first got the guitar and tried lighter gauge strings I did notice an immediate drop in volume. Prior to this I had been playing a small bodied mid 60s Epiphone (Gibson B-25 size). That guitar always frustrated me in its lack of sound and that is what impressed me most about the Guild. I don't think I would be satisfied with the sound of lighter gauge strings for this reason. I do know that varying strings of the same gauge can have varying degrees of tension due to components and manufacturing methods--different size core for example. As I said above, I may go weeks without touching the acoustic, and I get used to the lighter strings on the electric--this is the biggest factor. Even though the action to me seems to be fine, it might be a good idea to have my luthier see if it can be tweaked a bit. I still have one or two packs of the D'Addarios to use up but I did want some input on what to try next. I may get some of the John Pearse and give them a try.
Thanks.

 

[suave eddie]

Here's something new I ran across: John Pearse 610LM Silk Phos Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

".012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 The exciting new SILKS sets mark a departure from orthodox acoustic string design. Formulated for the electric guitarist who doubles on acoustic, this set features a never before possible "playing ease" tension married with the warmth and projection for which our acoustic strings are famous. Our triple annealed mild steel is pulled through a draw plate to make an extra skinny core. Onto this is wound a silk multifilament which cushions a phospor bronze winding. This is NOT a silk and steel set. The natural edginess of the phosphor bronze winding is tempered by the silk cushion to produce a tone that studio players everywhere are likening to our 80/20 bronze sets after they have been played in. Steve Sheehan, lead guitarist with the Judds, asked us to make this set. Guitarists all over America are thanking him!"

Anybody try these yet?

 

[West R Lee]

Here's something new I ran across: John Pearse 610LM Silk Phos Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

".012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 The exciting new SILKS sets mark a departure from orthodox acoustic string design. Formulated for the electric guitarist who doubles on acoustic, this set features a never before possible "playing ease" tension married with the warmth and projection for which our acoustic strings are famous. Our triple annealed mild steel is pulled through a draw plate to make an extra skinny core. Onto this is wound a silk multifilament which cushions a phospor bronze winding. This is NOT a silk and steel set. The natural edginess of the phosphor bronze winding is tempered by the silk cushion to produce a tone that studio players everywhere are likening to our 80/20 bronze sets after they have been played in. Steve Sheehan, lead guitarist with the Judds, asked us to make this set. Guitarists all over America are thanking him!"

Anybody try these yet?

Very nice strings.....you'll love them.

West

 

[GardMan]

Here's something new I ran across: John Pearse 610LM Silk Phos Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

".012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 The exciting new SILKS sets mark a departure from orthodox acoustic string design. Formulated for the electric guitarist who doubles on acoustic, this set features a never before possible "playing ease" tension married with the warmth and projection for which our acoustic strings are famous. Our triple annealed mild steel is pulled through a draw plate to make an extra skinny core. Onto this is wound a silk multifilament which cushions a phospor bronze winding. This is NOT a silk and steel set. The natural edginess of the phosphor bronze winding is tempered by the silk cushion to produce a tone that studio players everywhere are likening to our 80/20 bronze sets after they have been played in. Steve Sheehan, lead guitarist with the Judds, asked us to make this set. Guitarists all over America are thanking him!"

Anybody try these yet?

I play (and like) the PB and Silk Light mediums on my D-35, and have tried them on my pearwood D-44.

I've never really noticed a big difference in playability between the PB&S and regular PB lights... but I do like the tone of the Pearse PB&S strings... they seem less jangly out of the box than the regular PBs or 80/20s. But, I have never tried them on any of my rosewood dreads...

 

[strummer]

I've used the J.P.610lms on a couple of giutars and have been very impressed w/them.John Pearse is probably my favorite string maker.I keep trying this and that but always come back to the J.P.'s