heavier strings on a converted acoustic lap = danger?

Adam Gejdos · Post by **Adam Gejdos** » 31 Jan 2011 1:31 pm

Hello,
I decided to put some heavier strings on an old Samick acoustic that I'd converted to lap (DADF#AD). I've been using D'Addario EJ16s for a year or so but needed heavier melody strings. I put my squareneck stings on (EJ42s) and they sound really good. They're 56,45,35,28,18,16. I assume they're fine (did internet research) but figured I'd check with the experts. Anyone had issues with this heavier gauge (ie pulling on the bridge)? Anyone prefer a different set?
Cheers, Adam

Steve Green · Post by **Steve Green** » 31 Jan 2011 2:46 pm

FWIW, I've got a round neck resonator that I bought a riser nut for and wanted to convert to "dobro style". I went to the local music store to buy some .016 gauge dobro strings, and the guy who worked there said I shouldn't go any heavier than .013's, because the round neck wasn't made for that much tension. I went with the .013's and haven't had any problems. I've since gotten a square neck, and use .016's on it.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 31 Jan 2011 2:52 pm

I would also vote in favor of the lighter strings.
When you put a nut riser on a round neck guitar, you put greater leverage on the neck and run the risk of damaging it.

Michael Maddex · Post by **Michael Maddex** » 31 Jan 2011 4:06 pm

FWIW, I have had .016 - .056 strings (both the D'Addario bronze and the Martin nickel) on a Rogue roundneck reso with an extension nut for years with no problem. It is tuned Spanish: (L2H) D G D G B D. The strings might be a little heavy for tuning Dobro: (L2H) G B D G B D. YMMV.

Adam Gejdos · Post by **Adam Gejdos** » 1 Feb 2011 10:50 am

Thanks guys. Yeah, I think I'll go a tad lighter, just to be safe. It's actually my wife's old acoustic that she "lent" me. My marriage is more important than slightly improved tone!

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 1 Feb 2011 10:55 am

You sure wouldn't want to snap the neck on that baby!

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 1 Feb 2011 10:55 am

you can use the heavy strings, just dont leave the guitar up to pitch when not being played. i have repaired too many acoustics with pulled up bridges and dovetail joint problems.

when you are finished playing just turn the tuners down a couple of turns and release a little string tension. this takes enough pressure off the top to never have a problem. i do this with all my acoustic intruments when in the case. unloads the top just a little.

Hans Henrik Rasmussen · Post by **Hans Henrik Rasmussen** » 1 Feb 2011 11:42 am

Hi Adam,

I'm using 017-.020-.026-.035-.045-.056 for Open D on my Gibson FJN. That is a short scale guitar, though, but I've used 016-.019-.026-.035-.045-.056 for Open D on a 25.5 scale without problems.

I even have an old Samick (greg bennett D7, I think) with an extension nut and a set of D'addario EJ17 (.013-.056) on it. I've used that for years, no problems what so ever.

Try toying with something like this: http://www.mcdonaldstrings.com/stringxxiii.html Open D tuning with heavier 1st and 2nd strings actually ends up putting less tension on your guitar than lighter strings in standard tuning.

Best,
Hans