Set up for a set of twelves, can play elevens & thirteens?

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

As a hacker, I get a guitar set-up for a set of twelves because then I can also play it with elevens or thirteens. I imagine this would drive good players crazy, but do any of you other intermediate strumsters do this?

 

[Steelpickin']

Well Darryl,
as a want to be intermediate player I would have to concour.
I always set up all of my guitars so I can switch back and forth between gauges. This of course meens having your guitar set up by a good luthier who really knows there stuff but all in all,...if your guitar is really set up properly it should not be a big deal to switch up or down a gauge or so depending of course, on the type of playing that you do. ..ie: if you hit em' hard...or if you fingerpick em' soft....a good luthier can set your guitar up for all of this......if your not getting this type of service, folks should seek another Guru

just my two cents...sorry Guilder Pros'

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Thanks Steelie. But if you're intermediate, I'm a quadraplegic.

 

[cjd-player]

The set up is not so much the issue, but watch your neck.
If the guitar was intended for lights (11's) for example, and you go up, the extra tension could start to move the neck or sound board.
If you go up in string gage and find yourself continually adjusting the relief or action down over time, then that would be a bad sign.

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

CJ,

Excellent point, and all should heed it. Not every guitar is made to withstand 13 gauge strings. And some 13 gauge strings have more tension than others.

I suspect that all Guild acoustics and starchtops withstand 13 gauge, but I suspect that a lot of Taylor guitars are going to turn into accordions.

Usually I use 9 stainless on my solidbodies, 10 stainless on the archies, and 11 phosphor on the flattops (but enough about Rosie). And when I'm not playing them, I de-tune the strings with the highest tension--3, 4, and 5. The last measure is opposed by many Guilders, however.