Electric strings on an acoustic

Jetfire · March 2022

I dare say there may be more bass response going on with "acoustic" strings but essentially, that sounds nice

bertie · March 2022

hmm - so much reverb hard to tell

they sound "acceptable" - but its probably more to do with gauge than material, and as you say, lack of bass / fullness - but probably good in a "mix"

Tannin · March 2022

Perfectly sensible to put electric strings on an acoustic. The other way around, however, often doesn't work. After all, what are Monel and nickel alloy strings (both reasonably common acoustic player choices) when you get down to tin tacks? Electric strings, for all practical purposes, only in a more acoustic-friendly gauge.

The biggest difference between electric and acoustic strings is the usual gauge: it is physics. 9s and 10s just don't move the to the way 12s and 13s do.

rze99 · March 2022

I used a Taylor T5 and electric strings on that work perfectly, but then it's mostly being micd as well as amplified . It's kinda meant for it. But I also have a Guild D4 and it needs proper acoustic strings they sound much better on that. Horses for courses.

Mellish · March 2022

Never tried strings meant for electric guitar. I like a big, boomy bass, that cannon of a G chord in the first position there. I get exactly that from Martin MA-140 on this HD-28.So I try new strings, sure (I'm curious), but I'm not expecting a different brand to knock my socks off...though they might

artiebear · March 2022

I remember stringing an Ovation really light many many years ago for a tour where there were two acoustic numbers in approx 2 hours on stage. It made sense at the time to keep the feel between electric and pseudo acoustic instruments the same, plus at large venue levels, who cares about tone ?

For most of my time playing acoustic guitar anything less than 12's has sounded like a banjo with rubber bands on to my ear.

guitarjack66 · March 2022

artiebear said:

I remember stringing an Ovation really light many many years ago for a tour where there were two acoustic numbers in approx 2 hours on stage. It made sense at the time to keep the feel between electric and pseudo acoustic instruments the same, plus at large venue levels, who cares about tone ?

For most of my time playing acoustic guitar anything less than 12's has sounded like a banjo with rubber bands on to my ear.

I play 10s on my acoustics. Ouch!

Stuckfast · March 2022

bertie said:

hmm - so much reverb hard to tell

And an absolute shit ton of compression too. Not really sure how you're supposed to form any conclusion about the sound of the strings from that!

bertie · March 2022

Stuckfast said:

bertie said:

hmm - so much reverb hard to tell

And an absolute shit ton of compression too. Not really sure how you're supposed to form any conclusion about the sound of the strings from that!

now, dont get me wrong, I do like a soupcon of "natural reverb" for a solo acoustic but that was so wet it was down with Davy Jones

Stratavarious · March 2022

If you are into the super heavy electric gauges, similar amounts of mass are going to be moving around I suppose.

That said, I can certainly tell the difference between phosphor bronze and nickel of same gauge on my mandolin though. Warm vs harsh and metallic. Nickel strings did not stay on the day.

shufflebeat · March 2022

@Stratavarious - EQ is your friend, I had nickels on my mandola when I had a Vanden s/h coil and stuck to them when I swapped it for a K&K.

I'm generally a fan. Where it makes most difference is with mag acoustic pickups. Whatever the manufacturers say the is no way to make phosphor bronze strings sound balanced and natural, ye cannae fight the laws of physics, as they say.

I would recommend any mag users to.give it a try for a few weeks to get accustomed.

Do bear in mind, before "acoustic" (b, p/b) strings were a thing the only things available were "electric" strings and there are many fine old recordings.

ToneControl · March 2022

very skillful playing, but tone sounds very thin and lifeless
Is guitar maple back and sides?

I lean towards lower (than currently popular) string gauges, but would regard 10s on an acoustic as "custom config" - I'd still be wanting Phosphor bronze

Mattharrier · March 2022

I have 10s on both of my acoustics, and they are just standard Rotosound PB packs. I've got a pack of EB Earthwoods as well, which are just standard strings. 9s are also available in Rotos as a standard pack.

JayGee · March 2022

D’Addario 10s here[1] - it’s not like an electric set though because wound third, which makes the whole thing feel very different…

[1] Yes I’m a wuss, and the band I’m in recently started doing full acoustic sets, which turned out to be a big ask for someone who previously never picked up an acoustic for more than about 10 minutes at a time.

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Electric strings on an acoustic

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