Electric Strings on an Acoustic Guitar?

[DustyCat]

Anyone ever tried this? Putting electric guitar strings on an acoustic guitar?

I confess I try to play my girlfriend's old acoustic (Yamaha, not that the brand matters) but the guitar just KILLS my hand with its high action. Notes fret/plink out, cannot even play barre chords because I cannot muster the strength necessary to push the strings down far enough to get a good bell-like tone.

I used to play division 3 lacrosse, and now I'm crippled by this acoustic guitar.

Would putting electric guitar strings on an acoustic make it easier to play (I know the action is a beast but right now I come off as a n00b when I play it) since electric guitar strings are generally lighter?

Is there a gauge of lighter acoustic strings that mitigates this problem?

OUCH!  :binkybaby:

 

[TBurst Std]

There are lighter gauges of acoustic strings.  The question is what is the nut height, action and relief now? Maybe all it needs is a setup.

 

[DustyCat]

Their are lighter gauges of acoustic strings.  The question is what is the nut height, action and relief now? Maybe all it needs is a setup.

And the answers to those questions are "PAIN!"

Just try to play an Eb chord with your pinky on the 6th fret (C shape) without flinching  :sad1:

 

[amigarobbo]

I use these on my 24 3/4" scale length parlor size Yamaha accoustic,

I feel no shame in the light tension as I'm completely confident in my sexuality suits the guitar and makes it sound much better than louder, heaver strings do.

Also it means the top doesn't belly up so much as well,  :icon_thumright:


But really I think your guitar needs a setup.  :evil4:

 

[DustyCat]

I use these on my 24 3/4" scale length parlor size Yamaha accoustic,

I feel no shame in the light tension as I'm completely confident in my sexuality suits the guitar and makes it sound much better than louder, heaver strings do.

Also it means the top doesn't belly up so much as well,  :icon_thumright:


But really I think your guitar needs a setup.  :evil4:

Thanks Amigarobbo, there's no harm in admitting the truth. My hand just kills when I try to play this thing, and it's a parlor sized acoustic guitar.

I will be sure to check those strings out  :icon_thumright:
And yes she admits she never had the guitar set up in 45+ years

 

[TBurst Std]

Winner winner chicken dinner.
Heh, on the new to me 12 I’m stringing 10-47/10-27

A setup goes miles.  Lighter guage strings just enhances it. 

 

[AirCap]

Usually not recommended, but I have a jazzer client who uses Darco 10's on everything, including his Wes Montgomery L-5.... And his other flattops, archtops, and electrics. Once I've set them up to his tastes - no problems. Which fooled me, because I didn't think it would work the first couple times he asked.

 

[BigSteve22]

Really want light acoustic strings, try these:

I use them on my Epi SST. They sound surprisingly good amplified, but a little thin when not. But for the comfort of 9s, you really can't complain much!

 

[Logrinn]

Really want light acoustic strings, try these:

I use them on my Epi SST. They sound surprisingly good amplified, but a little thin when not. But for the comfort of 9s, you really can't complain much!

That’s the one’s I use as well.  :icon_thumright:

 

[amigarobbo]

Blimey! I thought I was bad, but what a load of weak wristed, limp noodle strings merchants!

What would Steve Ray thingy say?  :-\

:turtle:

 

[Logrinn]

:laughing3:

 

[amigarobbo]

Actually, on an electric geetar, both skinny string and bass I've never found heavy strings sounding 'better', just slightly different.

 

[AirCap]

I used to think beefy strings were the way to go.... More steel to sense, more tone - right?

Guess it all comes down to what you like, not the other guy.

Two extremes -
We know Billy Gibbons is using .007's.... Basically banjo strings. No one will say he lacks tone. Hell, the man practically invented tone.

I had a client back in the 80's.... He played a 335, and was a string bending fool. He did all these triple string bends ala Amos Garrett, etc. Sounded like a pedal steel - one string going up, one going down. I said "you want light strings, right?". "Yup, pretty light. 14's."......

I know what you're thinking - how the hell? As it turns out, you don't have to bend a .014 very far to raise the pitch a whole step. But an .008? You must bend it halfway across the neck to raise it a whole step.

Play with the tension you like. That's all.

 

[swarfrat]

Phil Collen shreds on low action 13's. I like the setup though I don't have the action as low I as like. I'm thinking about going back down to 10's for a standard gauge though. For acoustic though, I consider 12 to be very light - too light for many tops and bigger bodied guitars.

 

[Steve_Karl]

I've put Ernie Ball 09s and 10s on my Adamas at times just to see how they work.
Less sound be totally playable.

 

[spe111]

I have a few knuckles that are seem to really be impacted by string gauge and it's much worse on acoustic guitars.

Using electric strings is something I've often wondered about and never tried. Mainly because I already use very light (Martin .010's) on my guitars and they really seem to not drive the top of the guitar the way I want them to. I figure electric guitar strings would be even worse.

I thought maybe a perfect setup would solve the problem, paid $700 for a neck reset on my D-35 and it only slightly helped.

 

[swarfrat]

Aside from the gauge - nickle wound strings are duller than phosphor bronze.

 

[Seamas]

I generally use 12-54s (Light gauge)) on my acoustics.
The key is a good set-up. Also: How old are the strings on the Yamaha?
Bronze strings will get dull and stiff and ungainly over time. Old strings just suck (except on the treble strings on a nylon string guitar)

I would suggest a change of strings. Try 11s and see how that goes. But defnitely give the setup a once-over. Sometimes it's a relief adjustment or maybe the bridge can be taken down. A poorly made nut can be a hassle.

I know Billy Gibbons and his really thin strings, but great tone, but there we are talking about an electric guitar--where pickups play a huge role in tone.
On an acoustic you get tone when you drive that top,  and in general you will get fuller tone from a heavier string.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I did it once some 30+ years ago, and it just did not sound or feel the same as strings made for an acoustic guitar.

It was like someone put a mid-bump with a really wide "Q" at the worst place in the frequency range.  Sounded completely un-natural, felt even worse.

 

[Cagey]

On an acoustic you get tone when you drive that top,  and in general you will get fuller tone from a heavier string.

That's been my experience as well. Heavy strings = more mass = more energy to drive the top and get the character of the guitar to shine.

It's also difficult to be fair-weather friend to the acoustic. You either play it all the time and develop the strength/dexterity/callouses to deal with it, or suffer on the rare occasion you decide you'd like to hear acoustic tones.