Good Morning, I thinking of purchasing a set of RotoSound jumbo king phosphorbronze for my Yamaha fg800. Up until now (only a year), I have used D’addario xt-12-53 . Is there a difference to the sound? I am still learning how to play. Still really slow on chord changes.
Thank You,
John Hardman
I can’t answer specifically about these strings but bear in mind that whatever strings you put in, even the same strings, will sound better as strings do sound worse over time. Initially you’ll likely think whatever strings you put in sound so much better but just remember you’re not comparing like with like as one set is new and the other is at least a year old
You need to experiment different types of strings and choose which one best fits your guitar and ear. The same strings will result differently on different guitars. And as @mattswain says don’t compare the sound of the new strings to that of the old strings as they tend to “die” over time. Recording yourself just after re-stringing can be a good idea, so you can listen back…I found my favourite gauge by doing this 
I started to make recordings of strings at change time - both just before and just after. This is the closest I can get to making a comparison I can really remember because I can play back the recordings immediately adjacent to each other. From one recording sessin to another, it is important to make sure the setup is the same as possible. I have a USB out on my processor, so I don’t need to fiddle with mic placement. Just do your best if you are working with a mic.
If you are still very early in your playing, the difference in sound won’t matter. New strings sound a little brighter, fuller, depending on the strings and how old the last set was.
Most string types have subtle but important sound differences that usually aren’t dramatic and won’t make your playing horrible or wonderful, just a touch different.
When you have been playing a while, these differences will matter to you more. At that point testing some different types and styles of strings is worth it and fun. You can hone in on what you like and what seems, to you, your guitar likes.
Right now, I would only worry about the gauges of the strings, and stay with common standards of strings. 12s are great, but at the beginning, 11s or even 10s on an acoustic are easier to play. Personally I wouldn’t go down to 10s on that Yamaha, but you might like 11s.
Over a few years, I have decided I like round core Monels, especially Curt Mangan, on my Pono, but it is a really bright guitar with almost too much sustain, so the generally warm to almost dull sound of the strings complements it better. Right now I have Tomastik infield 11s. I like the 11s, and the string sounds nice, but are a bit costly and not really worth it over the cheaper Monels (although they last a looong time). I like 12s for the Monels, 13s were too much. It really is a balance of my evolving taste and what I have decided works with me and my guitar. Strings are cheap. Play around a bit.
If you are just learning try some 10’s! Give your fingers a break! Maybe in a year or two you’ll try 11’s and maybe return to 12’s at some point of you like working harder…
Try something coated. Stringjoy strings are awesome but try anything im sure they will be fine!
100% agree
Also agree.
As a relative beginner I’ve always stuck with the same strings that the manufacturer put on, replacing like with like. It’s one less thing to think about, I assume that Taylor (in my case) didn’t put strings on the guitar to make it sound bad and the guitar is set up for those strings. Change to something different and you might affect the setup, the tension on the neck or how the string sits in the nut - you’re definitely not guaranteed to affect the setup but it’s possible
Good point. If you change string tension enough there is a possibility that your relief (the bow of the neck under string tension) would change. That is easily measured and adjusted via the truss rod if you are at all handy. So very worthwhile to learn to do and many easy lessons on it on YT. Too easy to bother taking to a tech and paying for unless you really avoid anything at all like that.
A change from 12s to 10s likely will require a small adjustment, 11s probably not, but could, depending on the strings.
Also gauge changes could hang up at the nut, but not likely going down in gauge. If the guitar came with 12s, the nut will probably handle 13s or lower without thought (although I once tried a set of 13s with a super fat low e which didn’t fit, but that was unusual)
Thank You Everyone, I will take all of your advice and Thank You Again!
Interesting post at just the right time
My guitar will be needing the new strings soon and I was thinking about trying something new… not that I am not happy, but just to try it because it is an affordable experiment…
I have a more beginner guitar type Lag T88ACE. It has a solid spruce top and a grand auditorium shape (so about medium size guitar body). Factory strings were 12-52, but I got a setup done with the professional few years back and because I was a beginner he did the setup and installed the 11-52. Since then I am using Elixir Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze 11-52.
I have spare strings at home, D’Addario EJ16, but they are 12-53. Will that affect the setup that was done? Or should I stick with 11-52 and just try some other brands?
What or which ones would you suggest - I do strumming (“campfire songs”) and some fingerpicking (no bends jet), at home without an amp.