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MediumMando5722
Jun-07-2021, 11:05am
Trying different string gauges on my new-to-me Northfield Model M. With medium gauge, it’s super easy to play and sounds great, but the D course seems a little louder than the A and E. With Custom Medium (same G and D, slightly heavier A and E), the volume is balanced, but a little of the sweetness is gone from the A and E. It sounds punchier now on those strings, though, so it’s not necessarily a bad thing. The action can go much lower than I’m used to, so playability isn’t affected by the thicker strings.

Anybody else have this dilemma?

Billy Packard
Jun-07-2021, 2:02pm
AS you may know, I am a big Mapes fan. You can pick your own size and metal preferences. Check 'em out...

https://www.mapesstrings.com

Billy

MediumMando5722
Jun-07-2021, 7:03pm
I've been checking out that site, inspired by your frequent mentioning of them.

At $6 a set for whatever goofball gauges I want, it seems like a killer deal. Maybe I should get an 11, 15, 25, 40 set.

Billy Packard
Jun-08-2021, 1:19pm
Lou Stiver got me into the 11.5 and I like it. IKIK, splitting a hair length-wise but I can tell!

Billy

withfoam
Jun-08-2021, 3:46pm
I'll also add that I recently went 11.5, 16, 26, 40 and it's amazing. I love the feel. I also love my Mapes.

MediumMando5722
Jun-08-2021, 3:47pm
I feel a little difference but hear a night and day difference between 11 and 11.5. Not hair-splitting at all. The 15 and 16 are a huge difference, as well.

If you wanna talk about hair splitting, I’m sitting here wishing someone made an 11.25, haha.