Tacoma d55 nut, pins, and strings

[11earl]

Figured I'd start a new topic for this one...

I see on the current NH D55 specs page that the nut and pins are bone. Is this also the case for Tacoma built D55s?

Strings: Yes, I've searched, and found fairly varied suggestions on strings, so I thought I'd ask it this way: The current NH D55 come with .13 - .056. Are many of you D55 owners using this string gauge, and if not what gauge are you using? Also, I assume the lighter the gauge the lower the action?

 

[adorshki]

I see on the current NH D55 specs page that the nut and pins are bone. Is this also the case for Tacoma built D55s?

The current NH D55 come with .13 - .056. Are many of you D55 owners using this string gauge, and if not what gauge are you using? Also, I assume the lighter the gauge the lower the action?

I think bone is a NH spec for Guild, I don't think they used it in Tacoma, I know they didn't in late Westerly and Corona.
Other guys (like Chazmo and Scratch) are probably better informed about Tacoma.
As for .013-.056, that's definitely a NH development for Guild, to go to mediums. If they're spec'd, the guitar's definitely designed for 'em.
As far as I've seen, all Guild dreads from late Westerly up through Tacoma were spec'd with "lights" (.012-.053 or 054). and the exceptions, like my F65ce, actually take extra lights.
Personally I don't think mediums neccessarily make a guitar louder. There's been discussion about "top loading". The top's designed to have a certain range of tension on it from the strings, to vibrate at it's best.
So going too heavy or even too light can be counterproductive.
You've rpobably also seen the recent discussion about whether or not heavier gauges shorten "neck life", in terms of how soon it might need a reset.
The question about lighter gauge=lower action didn't make sense to me. Are you asking if lighter gauges cause lower action because of less tension on the neck? I kind of doubt it on that D55.
Otherwise, in general, you might want very slightly higher action if you go to lights since they make a bigger "arc of travel" when you strum 'em hard, so that higher action helps prevent fret buzz, at no cost to ease of fingering because of lower overall string tension.
Factory setup secs are 5.5-6.5/64ths at the 12th fret bass E string, and 4.5-5/64ths for the treble E at 12th fret. Measure between bottom of string and top of fret.
I keep all my guitars at factory spec, and have had no problems, and wonderful flexibility for both bareback fingerpicking and full on chord bashing.
That larger "arc of travel" is also why I think lights can be every bit as loud as mediums.

 

[bronzeback]

I used to have a Tacoma D55... stock bone saddle and nut, nut sure about the pins, but plastic I think.

 

[6L6]

My '06 D-55, which I bought new, has a bone nut & saddle.

I use Light Gauge phosphor bronze strings on all of my acoustics.

Bill

'74 D-40 (my FAV)
'76 F-50SB
'06 D-55
'06 F-412

 

[Bill Ashton]

Purchased my Tacoma D55 new in August of '09, came with bone nut, saddle and bridge pins...but serial number mine was manufactured in June of '08.

The guitar came with D'Addario EXP .013 to .056 strings. Friggin' brutal to play but sounded fantastic. Taken me quite a while to man up and play that gauge, but find the DR Rares very nice on it. Presently I have a Bluegrass-gauged set I made up myself from GHS Bright Bronze mediums and lights on it...sounds great but they won't last as long as the DRs...

 

[chazmo]

Yeah, bone saddle and I think bone nut as well. I have plastic pins on my 2006, but as Bill points out that might have changed late in the game (2008 or late 2007).

As far as strings for the D-55, I'm not really sure. As with any new guitar, I always tell people to try lots of new strings to find what you like. Different gauges too. A D-55 of any era can handle anything you throw at it.

 

[Curlington]

FWIW, my F30 ITB was built in March 2007, specs out with bone all around, and by all appearances is bone all around.

 

[11earl]

Thanks everyone for your replies! I'm going to start with a new set of .12s and do some measuring.

 

[Scratch]

My 2007 Tacoma-crafted D-55 had plastic pins; bone nut and saddle... The 2006 F-512, 2008 F-40 and 2008 CV-1 were equipped the same way. The 2005 D-40 had plastic nut and saddle which I swapped out for bone...

 

[Bing k]

As I remember it the D-40 And D-50 came with 13-56 strings and bone nut and saddle through out the tacoma production. The D-55 came with 12-52 strings and bone nut and saddle. The change to bone pins came in there someplace. The 40s and 50s had them for sure early in the Tacoma years.

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

My '06 Tacoma D-55 arrived with a bone nut, and plastic everything else.
The plastic saddle wasn't compensated either, and I've since replaced that saddle with a compensated Tusk unit, and the pins with Water Buffalo bone pins.
I'd prefer that Tusk be used for nut, saddle and probably bridge pins too, as it's superior material as compared to bone, IMHO.
I feel that Tusk components enhance the tonal qualities of most any guitar.
Perhaps I'll change my mind about the Tusk bridge pins, once I've had the opportunity to enjoy a set. :wink: