How do you string your acoustics?/

[the orangewizard]

So I'm thinking about picking up an acoustage again. I haven't had one in quite a few years now.Looking @ something like this-

http://www.zzounds.com/item--GLD3814016?siid=110960" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I need some advice on brands,and gauges of strings that have worked well for you.

[bclaire]

Being a wuss, I use Extra Light D'Addario's on my acoustics...

[Bink]

I use light (12-53) D'addario phosphor bronze's.
They're a good balance for me.

I use the Martin 80/20 extra lights on my 12 string.

[Boy_Narf]

How do I restring it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIzVdvzn8d8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What strings do I use?

Martin Mediums. I used to string up all my acoustics with extra light strings. You wouldn't believe the different in tone going up to a heavier gauge acoustic string. I also discovered that lowering the action kills the sound a little. Best results IMO go for 12's or 13's and back off the truss rod a bit. It is a little harder to play but man does it sound good.

[the orangewizard]

What is the consensus on Guild acoustics,btw?/

[Boy_Narf]

I'm a Martin guy

[jasondunringill]

String choice depends a lot on what kind of stuff you'll be playing. I personally use light acoustic strings but I do a bit of soloing and string bending with the acoustic in our set, It sounds fine to me, especially since its going through the PA anyway. As has been said, going up to heavier strings will give you a better tone (they say the same about electric strings but Billy Gibbons plays 8's and sounds pretty good to me!) but be harder to play. I did try using mediums for a while but found it a bit hard going. I'm a wimp too!
As for brands, I've always been happy with d'addario.

[Sooner]

I have flat wound electrics on my acoustic...

[Randy Bass]

I have flat wound electrics on my acoustic...

I tried the same thing. No squeaking!

[joeminer]

I use elixirs. They last soooooo much longer than any other string, so the price is worth it to me. Taylor has a pretty good re-string handout... http://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/defa ... string.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[joeminer]

String choice also depends on the guitar and how much tension should be on the neck.

[GySgtFTL]

Bear in mind that this is simply my opinion.
I've owned a couple of cheaper acoustics i.e. Washburn, Ovation etc. Last year I bought a Taylor 410 and never looked back. Unless you are going to buy a custom-made acoustic, you cannot do better than Taylor or Martin. All the Taylors in the "3" series and above are USA Made. With the Martins USA made starts at the D-16 I believe. But if you want a dread, D-18 is the starting point for real quality in the Martin line.

And as far as stringing my Taylor, I use Elixer Mediums because that's what came on it and they last longer and sound better to me.

This short video from Taylor helped me perfect the stringing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXEkDR_-D88" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[misterfolkertsma]

I have flat wound electrics on my acoustic...

I have flat wound electrics on my acoustic...

I tried the same thing. No squeaking!

Got any comparison clips/videos of that? I'd love to hear what that sounds like. I've played flatwounds before on a full hollow jazz guitar, but that guitar was nowhere near as resonant as your typical acoustic guitar.

[Hubaxe]

Question of taste. I use Ernie Ball Earthwood, Extra light. They're cheap, and sound great.
Martin are too "cleanish" for my taste.

[bclaire]

What is the consensus on Guild acoustics,btw?/

Beautiful guitars - hard to play. I find Guilds very stiff feeling and difficult to play. I had a gorgeous Guild F45-CE that looked beautiful, sounded great both acoustically and plugged in, and was really stiff. I do believe if I had A/B'd it at the time with a Gibson J-100 I would never have bought the Guild.

When I found my J-100, it was hanging in a guitar store used and I played it and thought 'this is really good - wonder how it compares to my Guild?' My Guild is fairly uncommon but there was a used one on the wall! Pulled it down and felt just like my Guild - no comparison to the Gibson. Bought it - found another - sold the Guild.

I had a Martin 000-15, too, and it played better than most Martins but still nowhere near as good as the Gibson...