"Where is the string breaking? Thats usually a good place to start. If it's at the tuning peg...that could very well be your problem. Close to the nut....at the saddle? Thats where I would start. Remember that they…"
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Jonathan Cooney's Discussions
Restringing Problems
2 Replies
I bought an Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500MCE not even a week ago, and already one of my strings broke. That wasn't a terrible surprise as I wanted to replace the strings anyway, but I wasn't happy when…Continue
Tags: DR-500MCE, Masterbilt, Breaking, Epiphone, Strings
Started this discussion. Last reply by Jon Lloyd Sep 6, 2012.
Figuring out string guages
11 Replies
I've been playing for a few years, and I've almost exclusively used light (.12) strings, but lately I've been experimenting with lower tunings. My strings seem to go out of tune rather easily, but…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Michael T. Swisher Jul 12, 2012.
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Ship of fools replied to Jonathan Cooney's discussion Restringing Problems"I do not think the nut cut into the string but I would suggest that you take it back to where you bought it from if you are having intonation problems. As for the saddle falling out during a complete string change is not uncommon as they should not…"
Jonathan Cooney posted a discussionRestringing Problems
I bought an Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500MCE not even a week ago, and already one of my strings broke. That wasn't a terrible surprise as I wanted to replace the strings anyway, but I wasn't happy when my new high E string broke before I finished putting the new strings on. I think the problem could be either (or a combination) of these:1. The nut isn't very well filed and cuts into the strings2. I may have an intonation problem. The DR-500MCE has an under-saddle pickup. When I removed all the…See More
Michael T. Swisher replied to Jonathan Cooney's discussion Figuring out string guages"Jonathan,
Changing the tension on any set of strings is likely to cause them to go flabby faster than tuning them one way and leaving it at that. Slack-key (Hawaiian tunings) players face this problem a lot. Tension (tuning) stresses the the metal.…"
JB Maddox replied to Jonathan Cooney's discussion Figuring out string guages"Essentially, what you need is a guitar built to withstand all sorts of tunings. And that would be a Martin D-28, not the HD-28 where the strong bracing was moved back to a pre-war design. Of course, you will not get as much soundboard…"
Judgestone replied to Jonathan Cooney's discussion Figuring out string guages"I use Medium in standard tuning also on acoustics with no problems. I wouldn't suggest it on subpar guitars but on a good guitar there should be no problem. I don't see a problem with the guitar you have."
Curtis replied to Jonathan Cooney's discussion Figuring out string guages"Remember that to some degree this is about relative string tensions. When you tune down medium gauge strings you get closer to the string tension of a light gauge string tuned in standard tuning.
See…"
Zach Stevenson replied to Jonathan Cooney's discussion Figuring out string guages"Sounds like you need to get yourself a new guitar. One to string with mediums for your drop tuning stuff and one to string with lights for the standard and up-tuned stuff. :)
FYI your guitar has a solid cedar top and likely cedar braces as…"
Jonathan Cooney replied to Jonathan Cooney's discussion Figuring out string guages"Would you play in standard with those medium strings, or would you feel uncomfortable about the tension?"
Judgestone replied to Jonathan Cooney's discussion Figuring out string guages"Almost all my guitars have medium strings on them and most are tuned to Open G (DGDGBD) and I have no problems whats so every with them. I do occasionally use Open E and tune up on a few strings and still really have no problems. I don't…"
Rebelpicker replied to Jonathan Cooney's discussion Figuring out string guages" I have a Tak GS 330, I use for jammin around, it's tuned DADF#AD, so as not to have 2 or 3 guitars doing the same sound, plus you can do slides, I use extra lights 11-50 strings, I leave it tuned this way 90% of the time, and it hardly…"
"Johnathan,
First, I'm no luthier, just a guy that's played for a while. In my experience, I've had trouble with higher tunings from bridges pulling up, strings not staying in tune, strings breaking, and necks needing…"
Jonathan Cooney replied to Jonathan Cooney's discussion Figuring out string guages"What sort of issues do you think could be caused by high-tension tunings?"
"Johnathan, When in doubt, I always ask the builder. I went to the Takamine web site and pulled this info...
What brand/gauge strings are factory installed on Takamines?
Six string steel - D'Addario EXP16 light gauge Twelve…"
Jonathan Cooney posted a discussionFiguring out string guages
I've been playing for a few years, and I've almost exclusively used light (.12) strings, but lately I've been experimenting with lower tunings. My strings seem to go out of tune rather easily, but I'm skeptical to try out medium gauges. I did once, but the owner of a local guitar store told me that my guitar is not braced for it.I play a Takamine EF440SCGN. It has scalloped x bracing, though I don't know what wood (if that makes a difference).Low tunings I use are DADGAD, CGDGBD, EG#BEae…See More
Profile Information
- Which one of the following describes your involvement in music? (Check all that apply)
- Gigging or professional musician, Amateur or recreational musician
- How many years have you been playing guitar?
- 2-5 years
- Which of these instruments do you own or play?
- Flattop steel-string acoustic guitar, Electric guitar
- The make and model of your guitar(s) and/or other instruments and gear.
- Takamine EF440SCGN
Epiphone Dot (borrowed)
Vox AC15
- What type of music do you like to play?
- Fingerstyle, emo, pop-punk, and little bits of things like jazz or bossa nova
- Do you subscribe to or regularly read Acoustic Guitar?
- I don't regularly read Acoustic Guitar
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