H550: what a difference a gauge makes

[Kuz]

15 minutes ago, MartyGrass said:

I complained about his tone.  It made me look like a beginner.

I get it, that "Wind Cried Mary" tone is awful!!! (LOL 😛)

[tsp17]

On 4/16/2025 at 4:03 AM, Kuz said:

I have just lately got back into playing my electric guitars.  I went on a 3+ year bender of ONLY playing my acoustics.   I did a lot of experimenting with strings and gauges on my acoustics.  My conclusion was that most bigger body acoustics(dreadnoughts) thrive with 13s and most smaller body acoustics (small jumbos and OMs) like 12s.  But there are some exceptions.... and thus the reason for this reply.   I have a beautiful 1957 J-200 Reissue acoustic that you would think based on it's large size would love heavier (13s) strings.  But I read many acoustic forums that the heavier strings can "choke" the top and sacrifice tone on a J-200.  Well, I didn't believe it until I tried it.  Heavier strings (13s) took all the projection and life out of the J-200, so I immediately put 12s back on.

So I think string gauges and even brands, can vary from guitar to guitar based on the design and the brand producing the guitar. 

Spot on.  My 000-28 loves lighter strings.  Heavier strings deaden it. Not nearly as lively. 

[rockabilly69]

On 4/16/2025 at 5:03 AM, Kuz said:

I have just lately got back into playing my electric guitars.  I went on a 3+ year bender of ONLY playing my acoustics.   I did a lot of experimenting with strings and gauges on my acoustics.  My conclusion was that most bigger body acoustics(dreadnoughts) thrive with 13s and most smaller body acoustics (small jumbos and OMs) like 12s.  But there are some exceptions.... and thus the reason for this reply.   I have a beautiful 1957 J-200 Reissue acoustic that you would think based on it's large size would love heavier (13s) strings.  But I read many acoustic forums that the heavier strings can "choke" the top and sacrifice tone on a J-200.  Well, I didn't believe it until I tried it.  Heavier strings (13s) took all the projection and life out of the J-200, so I immediately put 12s back on.

So I think string gauges and even brands, can vary from guitar to guitar based on the design and the brand producing the guitar. 

I've always found this to be true. It's worth it to spend a few bucks to see what your guitar likes. Recently I went through that with my Martin HD28, and I didn't like 13's. so I knocked it back to 12.5s and found a happy medium,

[rockabilly69]

On 4/16/2025 at 5:03 AM, Kuz said:

I have just lately got back into playing my electric guitars.  I went on a 3+ year bender of ONLY playing my acoustics.   I did a lot of experimenting with strings and gauges on my acoustics.  My conclusion was that most bigger body acoustics(dreadnoughts) thrive with 13s and most smaller body acoustics (small jumbos and OMs) like 12s.  But there are some exceptions.... and thus the reason for this reply.   I have a beautiful 1957 J-200 Reissue acoustic that you would think based on it's large size would love heavier (13s) strings.  But I read many acoustic forums that the heavier strings can "choke" the top and sacrifice tone on a J-200.  Well, I didn't believe it until I tried it.  Heavier strings (13s) took all the projection and life out of the J-200, so I immediately put 12s back on.

So I think string gauges and even brands, can vary from guitar to guitar based on the design and the brand producing the guitar. 

I've always found this to be true. It's worth it to spend a few bucks to see what your guitar likes. Recently I went through that with my Martin HD28, and I didn't like 13's. so I knocked it back to 12.5s and found a happy medium between tone and playability.  But I can without a doubt that when it's time to record I won't use any coated strings. 

[rockabilly69]

On 4/16/2025 at 5:03 AM, Kuz said:

I have just lately got back into playing my electric guitars.  I went on a 3+ year bender of ONLY playing my acoustics.   I did a lot of experimenting with strings and gauges on my acoustics.  My conclusion was that most bigger body acoustics(dreadnoughts) thrive with 13s and most smaller body acoustics (small jumbos and OMs) like 12s.  But there are some exceptions.... and thus the reason for this reply.   I have a beautiful 1957 J-200 Reissue acoustic that you would think based on it's large size would love heavier (13s) strings.  But I read many acoustic forums that the heavier strings can "choke" the top and sacrifice tone on a J-200.  Well, I didn't believe it until I tried it.  Heavier strings (13s) took all the projection and life out of the J-200, so I immediately put 12s back on.

So I think string gauges and even brands, can vary from guitar to guitar based on the design and the brand producing the guitar. 

I've always found this to be true. It's worth it to spend a few bucks to see what your guitar likes. Recently I went through that with my Martin HD28, and I didn't like 13's. so I knocked it back to 12.5s and found a happy medium between tone and playability.  But I can without a doubt that when it's time to record I won't use any coated strings. 

[rockabilly69]

On 4/16/2025 at 5:03 AM, Kuz said:

I have just lately got back into playing my electric guitars.  I went on a 3+ year bender of ONLY playing my acoustics.   I did a lot of experimenting with strings and gauges on my acoustics.  My conclusion was that most bigger body acoustics(dreadnoughts) thrive with 13s and most smaller body acoustics (small jumbos and OMs) like 12s.  But there are some exceptions.... and thus the reason for this reply.   I have a beautiful 1957 J-200 Reissue acoustic that you would think based on it's large size would love heavier (13s) strings.  But I read many acoustic forums that the heavier strings can "choke" the top and sacrifice tone on a J-200.  Well, I didn't believe it until I tried it.  Heavier strings (13s) took all the projection and life out of the J-200, so I immediately put 12s back on.

So I think string gauges and even brands, can vary from guitar to guitar based on the design and the brand producing the guitar. 

I've always found this to be true. It's worth it to spend a few bucks to see what your guitar likes. Recently I went through that with my Martin HD28, and I didn't like 13's. so I knocked it back to 12.5s and found a happy medium between tone and playability.  But I can without a doubt that when it's time to record I won't use any coated strings. 

[Kuz]

15 hours ago, rockabilly69 said:

I've always found this to be true. It's worth it to spend a few bucks to see what your guitar likes. Recently I went through that with my Martin HD28, and I didn't like 13's. so I knocked it back to 12.5s and found a happy medium between tone and playability.  But I can without a doubt that when it's time to record I won't use any coated strings. 

I just started putting D’addario XS 12.5s on my Gibsons acoustics (J-45, Southern Jumbo, SJ-200) and the 12.5s are a perfect goldilock compromise between 12s and 13s.  I use my acoustics for singer/songwriter music so I am not bending or using much vibrato much at all.  I want volume, tone, feel, & projection from strumming and finger-picking playing so the 12.5s are perfect (in my opinion) for Gibson bigger body acoustics!

[ElNumero]

On 4/6/2025 at 11:54 PM, tsp17 said:

For years I’ve strung my H550 with Thomastik GB Flatwound 12s.  They are expensive but last 3-4 times other strings and sound great, always.  Very easy playing, consistent and great tone. I use 14s on my Super KB, but have never tried 14s on the 550 because the 12s sound so good, warm, round but also a little sweet.   Very 60’-70’s jazz archtop.   The band digs it.

I went to change out the old 12s for a new set today….But…i was out of the 12s.  Never thought to put 14s on the 550; that was all i had and the old strings were already half off.  So….14s went on the 550.

Wow.  What a difference!  The guitar sounds bigger in every way.  A little darker, fuller and just more.  I was really surprised that it made that big a change in fullness and voice of the guitar.   Not as effortless to play, but not a huge change in fretting or picking force required, just takes a little more oomph all around.  

14s will stay on and maybe be the norm for this 550 from now on.  Gig on Friday, so we’ll see…

I’m sure it affected the set up. Did you change it?

[tsp17]

1 hour ago, ElNumero said:

I’m sure it affected the set up. Did you change it?

surprisingly no. plays great, sounds great. action maybe a little bit higher, but not an issue.