Hi all got my acoustic out the other day have not played it for a while and it sounded a bit tinny especially the top 3 strings i normally use 9 - 42 gauge with an unwound G string so its very easy to play, how can I get richer tone without using thick strings the guitar is a gear for music own brand single cut electro acoustic the reason I bought it was to replace my John Wesley roundback it was cheap less than ÂŁ100.00 I like the single cut and the sunburst colour but would like to improve the tone any suggestions what gauge strings to use.maybe just change the G B E and leave the E A D as they are would that work.
I like the feel of thicker strings, but don’t like high tension. So I have researched lower tension strings.
I would suggest trying 11s in a low tension brand like “Straight Up Strings”, “Heritage Newtone” or many others. Some strings, like Curt Mangan round core Monels have a low-ish tension and warmer tone (I find the first week with Monel strings sounds dull so be patient).
It can be a bit of trial and error finding strings that work for you. Fortunately, that aren’t all that expensive if you stay away from the Santa Cruz and Tomastik or similar high end brands. They have great strings, but if you are testing, it adds up.
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Just a couple of thoughts:
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I am a true evangelist for using light strings, but 9s on an acoustic may be going a little too far. I use 10s with a plain G and they are pretty forgiving. Many others here will probably suggest going with 10s or 11s. Most people would not consider them “thick”.
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I’m not a gear expert by any means, but I have always heard that acoustic guitars for less than a couple hundred $'s are generally not so great. So, maybe your tone issues are due to the guitar? Also, such cheap guitars are often not very playable and maybe that’s why you felt you had to use electric guitar strings on an acoustic guitar?
It’s really a matter of trial and error and a process for finding what is right for you. Try/invest in some different string brands, styles, and sizes (to a certain degree). Strings are not THAT expensive and the right ones can inspire you to play more/better. Sometimes just sticking with the manufacturer’s recommended strings is a good idea (if the combination sounds great).
update I have replaced the 9-42 strings with 11 - 52 they don`t feel too bad while I had the strings off I changed the saddle the old one used to move forwards and backward it was so loose the new one is made of buffalo bone and is a bit lower so now have a lower action the bass strings sound much meatier and the top 3 not so tinny but still bright take a while to get used to them but yeah they are OK, may have to relearn the F barre chord just cracked it more or less.also read somewhere the best way to lubricate the nut is to rub a pencil in the grooves and wipe off the excess so tried that.