Which Gauge Strings Does Dave use??? and.. suggestions?

[myonlybliss]

I have heard that Dave uses D'addarios--anyone know what gauge?

I have been playing for about a year now. i just took my taylor 110 into the shop for a set up. The guy asked me if i was a "heavy handed player". I wasn't sure how to answer him since i am pretty new. They went ahead and put medium on. So my question is:

Is it harder to learn/play on medium gauge strings than light gauge???

[thedirte]

Heavy handed meaning do you give your strings hell, or are you gentle like a finger picker. To answer your question, no it isn't harder to learn how to play, heavier guages just tend to make bends and such a little more difficult.

[CWMCALL]

according to the "road crew" page at dmband.com Dave uses D'addario EXP 17, which are coated, phospher bronze mediums...

[heathcliff]

that's interesting considering all the D'addario ads

[c_tietze]

yeah right

also, if the tech was doing a setup the question re: "heavy hitting" has to do I think more with action, if you beat the shit out of your guitar like Dave does you might enjoy a medium to high action like Dave does.

[myonlybliss]

Thanks for the help.

Yeah---I would prefer to use mediums as longs as they aren't really any harder to play (fret) than lights, sinc i am a beginner.

[littlefriend]

I think your action has more to do with how hard it is to fret than the string gauge. I started with mediums as a beginner and had obsolutely no troubles. I like the sound of lights though, so now I use those.

[thejoe]

he uses the orange picks, too

[blooeyez]

i would recommend starting off with a havier set... once you get the hang of that and switch to a lighter guage and lower action you'll be able to tear it up

[xan.]

its good to experiment with all the different gauges of strings and different companies to find which ones you like best. dont just use what dave uses, try to find what you like the best

[Nuladion]

its good to experiment with all the different gauges of strings and different companies to find which ones you like best. dont just use what dave uses, try to find what you like the best

[Coldchillin]

its good to experiment with all the different gauges of strings and different companies to find which ones you like best. dont just use what dave uses, try to find what you like the best

[SgtM]

he uses the orange picks, too

I got some too. Just decided to try them out one time. Ended up liking them A LOT.

[myonlybliss]

Thanks for all the help guys. I just got it setup. Plays much better. The action (at twelfth fret) is about 5/64" on high E and a little over 6/64" on low E.

I noticed one thing though. I bought a brand new saddle from Taylor and they installed it, but they did not put "notches" or grooves in it where the strings sit. Is this normal or should they have done this?

[charliemike]

Thanks for all the help guys. I just got it setup. Plays much better. The action (at twelfth fret) is about 5/64" on high E and a little over 6/64" on low E.

I noticed one thing though. I bought a brand new saddle from Taylor and they installed it, but they did not put "notches" or grooves in it where the strings sit. Is this normal or should they have done this?

No that is the sign of a worn saddle