Acoustic for nimble lead playing/easy action

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Hi all,

I decided recently that I needed an acoustic after going without for a few years.  Having spent most of time lately playing a Pattern Thin-necked PRS, I found today's guitar shopping experience somewhat disheartening.  All down to me, rather than the guitars, but I found everything I tried to be too muscular for my puny electric-guitar chops.

Any recommendations on finding something less stiff, easy to rattle around on and preferably still good for some loose chord work/fingerpicking.

If the answer is down to just setting up an acoustic differently (lower string gauge?), that's fine :)

Thanks!

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Comments

  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71960
    Anything with 10s on - but it would then be better to avoid large, heavily-braced guitars (ie typical Dreadnoughts) as they don't sound good like that. If you get a lightly-built smaller-bodied guitar, they can sound perfectly good with very light strings, even though they do still generally sound better with something heavier.

    Many of the more modern makers do acoustics with fairly slim necks which can be set up to give near-electric action and playability… although ironically, the fashion for electrics seems to be for baseball bat necks these days :).

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • DanjiDanji Frets: 225
    Taylor guitars are good for that, but stick with a heavier gauge.  It'll take longer to get your hands in shape, but it's worth it. 
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  • BigLicks67BigLicks67 Frets: 766
    You could try shorter scale guitars, like the J45, or the 000-18. I think the Taylor GS mini may be a 24 inch scale. There will be less tension with standard strings on compared to say a 25.5 inch dreadnought.
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  • Thanks for the replies. I'm toying with a Taylor grand auditorium as a good all-rounder. I had a Martin 000 and really liked it. This appears to be a near-equivalent.
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  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71960
    Danji said:
    Taylor guitars are good for that, but stick with a heavier gauge.  It'll take longer to get your hands in shape, but it's worth it. 
    11s are actually a good compromise - the top three strings are noticeably lower tension than 12s, but the bottom three are usually the same gauges (apart from the bottom E being .001" or .002" thinner) as 12s, so you still get the big sound from chords.

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • AliGorieAliGorie Frets: 308
    edited August 2017
    Eastman 'OM's' are actually 000's 1/10" over the 24.9 at 25" sale length makes the ideal for a lighter touch and easier for 'electric' techniques - bending etc, after all thats what el clapo chose - the 000.
    their necks are neat modern profile.
    They sound good as well.
    because of the 25" scale producing less tension for a given gauge of string a set of 12's would 'drive the top' nicely and be flexible enough for a typical electric player.
    go try 'em
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  • DanjiDanji Frets: 225
    @ICBM totally agree, I'm 12s but now on all guitars. I don't bend the strings that often. I found 11s are a gateway string  =)
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  • AliGorieAliGorie Frets: 308
    edited September 2017
    Ah the unfathomable string tension conundrum which reeks havoc over the pond.
    1 st. there isn’t a standard - gauge = tension, I can’t speak for electric strings but acoustic ones come in different ’tensions’ for a given gauge, e.g. Newtone Heritage & DR Rares which are stated on both they’re sites as ‘Low Tension’ and I DO feel a difference in this and use DR Rares for that reason (it’s an age thing).
    The way they 'play' with string tension is to vary the core wire diameter some up the wind wire slightly so the standard 'gauge' diameter dimension is achieved - and this is where much of the confusion comes from. They'll state the use a 'unique core to wrap ration' - yeah yeah.
    This is not to be confused with ‘More Flexible’ which some manufacturers attribute to winding alloy PB vs. 80/20 and or Hex vs Round core - Hmmm I cant feel the difference solely on these variables.
    One major aspect which is often overlooked is scale length affect on tension for a given gauge of string -
    i.e. for a 12 gauge set the difference on a 24.9 vs. 25.4 s/l (pretty standard acoustic s/lengths) is -
    144.5
    http://chordgen.rattree.co.uk/tension.php?length=24.9&wmat=pb&smat=s&strings=E-4-.012-p,A-3-.016-p,G-3-.024-w,D-3-.032-w,A-2-.044-w,D-2-.054-w

    150.4
    http://chordgen.rattree.co.uk/tension.php?length=25.4&wmat=pb&smat=s&strings=E-4-.012-p,A-3-.016-p,G-3-.024-w,D-3-.032-w,A-2-.044-w,D-2-.054-w

    from this string calculation spreadsheet site -

    http://chordgen.rattree.co.uk/tensiontool.php#

    now - what s/l are u used to, e.g. I believe PRS are  -
    * 25” on all guitars except
    * 24 1/2” on the Santana II and III
    * 25 1/4" on 513

    so, quick guide to getting this potential minefield sorted out -
    consider guitars scale length in conjunction with string set GAUGE AND STRING TYPE - norm vs Low Tension.
    These observations are based on a ‘well set up instrument’.
    happy picking

     
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  • @AliGorie I think my brain just seeped out of my nose. 

    Have a wisdom. 
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  • LewyLewy Frets: 4126
    edited September 2017
    AliGorie said:
    Ah the unfathomable string tension conundrum which reeks havoc over the pond.
    1 st. there isn’t a standard - gauge = tension, I can’t speak for electric strings but acoustic ones come in different ’tensions’ for a given gauge, e.g. Newtone Heritage & DR Rares + Sunbeams which are stated on both they’re sites as ‘Low Tension’ and I DO feel a difference in this and use DR Rares for that reason (it’s an age thing).
    The way they 'play' with string tension is to vary the core wire diameter some up the wind wire slightly so the standard 'gauge' diameter dimension is achieved - and this is where much of the confusion comes from. They'll state the use a 'unique core to wrap ration' - yeah yeah.
    This is not to be confused with ‘More Flexible’ which some manufacturers attribute to winding alloy PB vs. 80/20 and or Hex vs Round core - Hmmm I cant feel the difference solely on these variables.
    One major aspect which is often overlooked is scale length affect on tension for a given gauge of string -
    i.e. for a 12 gauge set the difference on a 24.9 vs. 25.4 s/l (pretty standard acoustic s/lengths) is -
    144.5
    http://chordgen.rattree.co.uk/tension.php?length=24.9&wmat=pb&smat=s&strings=E-4-.012-p,A-3-.016-p,G-3-.024-w,D-3-.032-w,A-2-.044-w,D-2-.054-w

    150.4
    http://chordgen.rattree.co.uk/tension.php?length=25.4&wmat=pb&smat=s&strings=E-4-.012-p,A-3-.016-p,G-3-.024-w,D-3-.032-w,A-2-.044-w,D-2-.054-w

    from this string calculation spreadsheet site -

    http://chordgen.rattree.co.uk/tensiontool.php#

    now - what s/l are u used to, e.g. I believe PRS are  -
    * 25” on all guitars except
    * 24 1/2” on the Santana II and III
    * 25 1/4" on 513

    so, quick guide to getting this potential minefield sorted out -
    consider guitars scale length in conjunction with string set GAUGE AND STRING TYPE - norm vs Low Tension.
    These observations are based on a ‘well set up instrument’.
    happy picking

     
    Actually I believe what you're feeling with Sunbeams IS the difference between hex and round core - I don't think they are a low tension string (the Rares are) but they feel it because of the increased flexibility. They're a great string, I like them a lot.
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  • Well spotted Lewy - I had in my mind that Sunbeams were low tension (thinner core) - theyre not.
    I've amended the OP and stick with the - "round vs hex / PB vs 80/20 or other' - I cant tell the difference, though I do use 13-56 on a 25.4 & 650mm scale - beefy handfull (and  tone) =)
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  • JalapenoJalapeno Frets: 6378
    Electric player seeks acoustic - the answer is usually Taylor, they have the most electric-like necks.
    Imagine something sharp and witty here ......

    Feedback
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  • rossirossi Frets: 1699
    I fancied a nylon electro acoustic  but just couldnt find a neck that suits my small hands and  short fingers .i split the difference and have ordered a Cort sunset NY semi solid .IElectric style neck .I played one last week and its perfect ...for me 
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  • I use 11s. Too heavy a gauge might end up ruining your hands imo.
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  • Tommy, string choice / gauge = tension over a given scale length is really dictated by what you want from a guitar and your music. If you play like Clapo (24.9 with 12-54) with relatively light touch / string bending and so on - then OK.
    I Use a lot of playing technique bad though they may be, being self taught that rely on taught strings, this has come about over fifty years playing on and of. I have always had strong hands / fingers which allowed me to develop my playing in a direction that I could ‘work the strings’, sometimes quite  aggressively to achieve the musical effect and tone I want.
    I mentioned I use 13’s but I also only play in ‘tuning's’ so depending on the tuning ALL the strings are not always ‘up to normal pitch’ or tension.
     

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  • That's all good.. I have thin nimble fingers and find the whole hand gets sore if I use too high a gauge. I need a hand transplant.. :)
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  • @Jalapeno You are indeed correct. Wisdom. 
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  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71960
    What's funny is that half the electric players now seem to like baseball bat necks fatter than anything you'd find on an acoustic newer than a 50s Hofner...

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • @icbm Pattern Thin PRS neck is my favourite. Perfect. 
    Trading feedback info here

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  • JalapenoJalapeno Frets: 6378
    ICBM said:
    What's funny is that half the electric players now seem to like baseball bat necks fatter than anything you'd find on an acoustic newer than a 50s Hofner...
    Wis'd
    Imagine something sharp and witty here ......

    Feedback
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