Low tension string recommendations for acoustic 6 string.

[Marky L]

I occasionally pick up my old Yamaha acoustic 6 string and struggle to get on with it, much of this  is due to the strings just being hard work (and I am in no way a natural player). I reckon a lower tension set of strings would make life so much easier. Any recommendations welcome, lower cost is ideal.

[BigRedX]

What gauge strings does it have at the moment? Acoustic guitar string makers tend consider 11 for the top E as light gauge whereas electric guitars would be 9 or thinner.

 

Try an acoustic guitar 10 set and see how you get on. Bear in mind that the heavier gauge strings are part of what gives an acoustic guitar it's projection and volume so lighter gauge strings whilst being easier to play may not sound as good.

[PaulThePlug]

What sort of sounds you after?

Bright and Chimey or Warm and Earthy?

I don't like the Squeaky Phos Bronze

 

For a warm and earthy tone i likes the Olympia Flatwounds, they do 10's (and 11's) and have a Wound Third (17), which i like - always found a plain 16 (on a 9 set) too thick as a single bit of wire.

 

These are the 11's but message Amy/Colin at Olympia Strings for a lighter 10 set.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292380408485

 

Got these on an Acoustic and a couple of electrics inc a Fretless Guitar!

[Marky L]

2 hours ago, BigRedX said:

What gauge strings does it have at the moment? Acoustic guitar string makers tend consider 11 for the top E as light gauge whereas electric guitars would be 9 or thinner.

 

Try an acoustic guitar 10 set and see how you get on. Bear in mind that the heavier gauge strings are part of what gives an acoustic guitar it's projection and volume so lighter gauge strings whilst being easier to play may not sound as good.

11s to compensate for my hamfisted technique but yes, maybe I should drop to 10s to see.

[Marky L]

2 hours ago, PaulThePlug said:

What sort of sounds you after?

Bright and Chimey or Warm and Earthy?

I don't like the Squeaky Phos Bronze

 

For a warm and earthy tone i likes the Olympia Flatwounds, they do 10's (and 11's) and have a Wound Third (17), which i like - always found a plain 16 (on a 9 set) too thick as a single bit of wire.

 

These are the 11's but message Amy/Colin at Olympia Strings for a lighter 10 set.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292380408485

 

Got these on an Acoustic and a couple of electrics inc a Fretless Guitar!

 

I guess I'm used to a brighter sound but I'm not opposed to a bit warmer. I'd not heard of flat acoustics and they actually sound like a joy to play.

[2pods]

IIRC there is even an 8 gauge acoustic set now.

[PaulThePlug]

4 hours ago, Marky L said:

I'd not heard of flat acoustics and they actually sound like a joy to play.

Not specifically for Acoustics...

Yours a Folk Style Steel String Guitar, not a Classical with 3 Wire Covered Plastic, and 3 plain plastic?

The Flatwounds are nice to play on Electric (Les Paul a like, Fretless Strat a like) and on a Bowl Back Acoustic with little to no finger squeak.

[Marky L]

16 hours ago, PaulThePlug said:

Not specifically for Acoustics...

Yours a Folk Style Steel String Guitar, not a Classical with 3 Wire Covered Plastic, and 3 plain plastic?

The Flatwounds are nice to play on Electric (Les Paul a like, Fretless Strat a like) and on a Bowl Back Acoustic with little to no finger squeak.

 

Yup, a standard steel string folk type.