[namiguShin]

So, after 3 years of playing I have finally put .12 gauge strings on my acoustic... This is my only guitar, a low end... So, to have at least bearable tone, I had to go with the thicker ones... And I like that full, fat, juicy, greasy tone... I'm so happy...

And I have a question... Since this is a low end guitar, will it "hold" even thicker strings? I believe there's a serious threat a bridge might detach? Or could something happen to truss rod or neck? No signs something is happening to her, but I'm concerned anyway... The guitar brand is "Da Capo"... As far as I know, nobody heard of it... I have googled for it... No luck... The seller told me it's German...

And what is the heaviest gauge strings for an acoustic you know of? Which guitar brand is the best for heavy strings? (this is a bit odd, don't you think... everybody is searching for the best strings for their guitars, and this looks like I'm searching for the best guitar for strings )

All best

[knight46]

namiguShin,
Not sure if this is correct but from what I have read here in the forum heavier strings reduce the tension on the guitar. If I have read this correctly heavier strings require less tension to be tuned correctly therefore less tension on the neck and bridge.
Is this correct?

[namiguShin]

I don't know, maybe at some point the difference in tension becomes smaller... But as far as I know, going from .9 to .12, I had to tighten truss rod every time I switched to thicker... Let's see what techs of the forum have to say...

[starsailor]

I'm having a go at slide guitar which uses heavier strings, Allthumbs replied to a thread I started on the slide guitar forum if you want to check it out, he does use heavier strings on his guitar.

Cheers

Chris

[clefless]

I'm pretty sure heavier strings require more tension, not less. From a physics standpoint, the thicker a string is, the harder it is to stretch straight between two points.

[namiguShin]

Thanks starsailor, but that thread says nothing related to my questions... Or I have missed something...

[knight46]

Yep clefless you are right I was backwards. Disregard.

[si16]

Yes, thicker strings place more tension on a guitar. I'd be very surprised, however, if your guitar wasn't able to cope with 12s. 12s and 13s seem to be popular choices of string gauge for acoustic, especially once people get past the beginner stage. Not to sure about brands as there are so many to choose from. Some like phospour bronze, others like coated strings like elixer nonweb. Every time you change strings try a different brand until you find one you like.

The confusion comes from a thread where members were discussing tuning the guitar down. This reduces the tension from the strings which then allows you to use thicker strings for better tone.

[allthumbs]

On an acoustic 13s are about as high as I would go for finger picking and the lowest I would go for slide.

[knight46]

Thanks si16, after rereading the past threads that was were I became confused.

[namiguShin]

Thanks si... So, 13s shouldn't be a problem... And what are the thickest you know of?

[si16]

Originally Posted by namiguShin

Thanks si... So, 13s shouldn't be a problem... And what are the thickest you know of?

13s should definitely be fine. A lot of manufacturers don't make strings thicker than .13 or .14 for acoustic.

[starsailor]

Originally Posted by namiguShin

Thanks starsailor, but that thread says nothing related to my questions... Or I have missed something...

Sorry for the confusion led you to my question on alternate tunings which as you say has nothing to do with your question

[allthumbs]

I haven't heard of anyone playing straight acoustic with heavier strings than 13s. Any kind of bends are next to impossible higher than that.

[__tsidewinder__]

"On an acoustic 13s are about as high as I would go for finger picking"

Maybe an odd question, but what would be the reason not to go higher for fingerpicking? You almost never bend while fingerpicking, so you'd figure no problems with a bit thicker strings. Of course it would be a bit harder on the fingers, but still not much to worry about.