M120 String Advice

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Hi

I have just bought a second hand M-120 and have put a set of Medium string on .( 13-56 )
A guitar player friend thinks that is to heavy in standard tuning?
Advice please guys!

Jon
 

SFIV1967

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Welcome to LTG! The M-120 comes with DeAddario EXP16 12-53 strings from the factory. If you feel comfortable with 13-56, go for it, I'm sure the guitar will not take any harm from it. You also could try DeAddario EJ19 or EXP19 12-56 Bluegrass stings or EJ37 12-54.
Ralf
 

davismanLV

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My personal experience with my smallest guitar (Taylor GC8) which is a concert size and short scale has always been light gauge strings. Last string change I decided to test it and put a set of bluegrass (medium lows/light highs) strings just to push the envelope. In standard tuning it just didn't sound right and it brought the action up quite a bit. It was louder but the medium strings just seemed to overdrive the top on a smaller guitar that is very lightly built and not made for medium strings. I put it into a much lowered alternate tuning which was better, but it still wasn't right. Yesterday I restrang it with light gauge strings and it immediately sounded like the guitar I know and love. If I want big, huge sound, I grab a different guitar. Now it sounds balanced and nice and I know it'll sound even better in a lowered tuning. Let your ears be your guide. That's my 2 cents on the subject.

Oh and welcome to LTG!! (y)
 
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thanks ..thing is sometimes it goes to open G or open D and slide doesnt sound to good on thin strings ..
At the mo i more concerned with not damaging the guitar then then the sound .
 

davismanLV

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Well my Taylor is one of my easiest guitars to play but that wasn't true with mediums. It didn't fret easily and I knew the extra tension would eventually take it's toll on the geometry. Not worth it to me and it sounds better again!!
 

Andrew79

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Hi and welcome to LTG!

After a recommendation from a fellow LTG member, I put D'addario EJ40 Silk & Steel on my M-40 - a similarly small bodied and very light guitar like your M-120. They're wonderfully easy to play. Much more like playing nylon strings than steel. If you're a fingerpicker I definitely recommend you try them.

I generally use 13 gauge on my bigger bodied dreadnaughts. They'd seem too heavy on my M-40.
 
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I have an M120 and I'm using D'Addario Nickel Bronze 12/53. I wouldn't go any heavier and may test out the D'addario EJ40 Silk & Steel as i always find the Nickel Bronze too bright until they wear in.
 
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I put Martin 175T (11-52) on my M-120, a recommendation from my dealer. It brings about a very nice lightness of touch. Excellent strings !
 

macandcheese

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I have an M120 and I'm using D'Addario Nickel Bronze 12/53. I wouldn't go any heavier and may test out the D'addario EJ40 Silk & Steel as i always find the Nickel Bronze too bright until they wear in.

I mentioned these as well in this thread about the m20, I’m sure they would sound great on your m120 as well. Nickel Bronze lights are all I’ve used in the guitar since I found them, they sound really great to my ears with the all mahogany and small size. Give ‘em a shot!
 

F30

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I would highly recommend a set up if changing to the 13's. The neck's trussrod may need adjustment.
Some guitars handle alternate tunings freindlier than others and something to consider if running the 13s.
Welcome to the forum and enjoy your M120.
Any pics??? We Love to see those Guilds
 
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Here you go!
 

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