String gauge for a 3/4 size guitar. Help please. Steel strings.

FastEddie

Ok. I've got a 3/4 size Yamaha acoustic. Forgot we had it.

I've never owned such a guitar, this is my son's who never played it. 
Because it's smaller, do we need to adjust the gauge?

Your guidance and help are greatly appreciated. 

GTC

D'Addario do a specialist set for a 3/4 size guitar in their Classic Nylon series https://www.amazon.co.uk/DAddario-EJ27N-Classics-029-044-Classical/dp/B003B0S1JI

ICBM

Steel string or nylon string?

If it's steel I would probably go with 12s - with the short scale they will feel much lighter. You could go as high as 13s but the nut grooves may not be cut wide enough for them if it came with 12s originally.

If it's nylon, either the ones GTC suggested, or just use a normal set of Hard Tension or even Extra Hard Tension, for the same reason - Normal tension will feel like elastic bands and not play in tune properly.

GTC

ICBM said:

Steel string or nylon string?

If it's steel I would probably go with 12s - with the short scale they will feel much lighter. You could go as high as 13s but the nut grooves may not be cut wide enough for them if it came with 12s originally.

If it's nylon, either the ones GTC suggested, or just use a normal set of Hard Tension or even Extra Hard Tension, for the same reason - Normal tension will feel like elastic bands and not play in tune properly.

Hah! - stupid of me - I assumed it was nylon strung. For steel strung, I agree with virtually any decent 12's or 13's. Personally I found the D'Addario strings for a 3/4 guitar worked much better than using hard or extra hard tension strings designed for a full scale length.

FastEddie

Thanks all. Went for D'Addario Bronze 12-53. They seemed to have great reviews and your help was great as well. thanks.

ICBM

GTC said:

Personally I found the D'Addario strings for a 3/4 guitar worked much better than using hard or extra hard tension strings designed for a full scale length.

I’ve never tried them - but D’Addario know what they’re doing so I don’t doubt they’re good. It would be interesting to know what the difference is - when I’ve worked on 3/4-size guitars I’ve always just stuck normal hard tension strings on them and they’ve seemed fine, but I’ll see if I can give those a go...

FastEddie

ICBM said:

GTC said:

Personally I found the D'Addario strings for a 3/4 guitar worked much better than using hard or extra hard tension strings designed for a full scale length.

I’ve never tried them - but D’Addario know what they’re doing so I don’t doubt they’re good. It would be interesting to know what the difference is - when I’ve worked on 3/4-size guitars I’ve always just stuck normal hard tension strings on them and they’ve seemed fine, but I’ll see if I can give those a go...

I've never had a steel string acoustic. I learned classical to grade 5 and stepped over the acoustic into Strat land.
This is a guitar I bought for my boys to see if they got into it. Forgot I had it!
Am looking forward to getting it restrung.