Trying to get a softer feel

**rpjazzguitar** · 10-25-2019, 08:43 PM

Comins GCS-1 has 11-46. It feels a little stiffer than I'd like (probably due to my arthritis).

I'm thinking of going to maybe 10 12 16 24 32 42.

I understand that, if I lower the gauge, I may have to adjust the truss rod. Also, that the string tension may be too loose. Also, that the high strings may be too twangy.

What if I raise the stop tailpiece to reduce the breakover angle? Is that likely to help, without changing the gauge?

Is there any other idea I'm missing?

Am I likely to find the pickup magnets pulling the light strings out of tune?

Thanks in advance.

**Jimmy Mack** · 10-25-2019, 09:48 PM

I'll try to answer and help. I don't know your guitar, but, I use the above mentioned string gauges regularly.
first of all, small and inexpensive cures are the most desirable, and easiest sometimes, and very much appreciated. So, raise the tailpiece. They are adjustable, for a good reason. And it just might work.
Unless your strings are really really low, p/ups won't pull. I tend to like the lighter set you mentioned, but I use an 011 for the 1st string with that lighter set. Gives more girth to the sound, and it just handles better under my fingers. The rest of the strings are fine in the balance.

I hope this helps you on your way to fine tuning. That is a benefit of things that are available these days, and the internet! Best of luck.

**Doug B** · 10-26-2019, 12:48 AM

You could try lowering the .11-.46 stringset a half to a whole tone. (E-->Eb, etc)

**Cunamara** · 10-26-2019, 02:12 AM

10s worked for Jim Hall and Ed Bickert, and their tones didn't suck. For the price of a set of D'Addarios it's worth a try.

**Spook410** · 10-26-2019, 04:08 AM

Some strings are made to be lower tension. Of course you may have to dig through a tension chart to see what's what. For example, TI Jazz Bebops are lower tension than some.

**greveost** · 10-26-2019, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by rpjazzguitar

Comins GCS-1 has 11-46. It feels a little stiffer than I'd like (probably due to my arthritis).

I'm thinking of going to maybe 10 12 16 24 32 42.

I understand that, if I lower the gauge, I may have to adjust the truss rod. Also, that the string tension may be too loose. Also, that the high strings may be too twangy.

What if I raise the stop tailpiece to reduce the breakover angle? Is that likely to help, without changing the gauge?

Is there any other idea I'm missing?

Am I likely to find the pickup magnets pulling the light strings out of tune?

Thanks in advance.

Also, what scale length is the neck, is it a shorter as in a Gibson type neck, or a longer as in a Fender type neck, if a short scale neck, the effect of loose strings might be greater.

**Zhahn** · 10-26-2019, 07:21 AM

Round-core strings tend to have lower tensions in general.
Also, check to see if you can give the neck a bit of relief.

**Max405** · 10-26-2019, 08:03 AM

I use Thomastik Jazz Swing 12’s and my girly hands can’t imagine a softer feel.
But the DO have 11’s..

**mr. beaumont** · 10-26-2019, 09:03 AM

I'd go heavier strings and lower the action more.

**John A.** · 10-26-2019, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by rpjazzguitar

Comins GCS-1 has 11-46. It feels a little stiffer than I'd like (probably due to my arthritis).

I'm thinking of going to maybe 10 12 16 24 32 42.

I understand that, if I lower the gauge, I may have to adjust the truss rod. Also, that the string tension may be too loose. Also, that the high strings may be too twangy.

What if I raise the stop tailpiece to reduce the breakover angle? Is that likely to help, without changing the gauge?

Is there any other idea I'm missing?

Am I likely to find the pickup magnets pulling the light strings out of tune?

Thanks in advance.

I use a 10-46 set (D'Addario XL) on my semi hollow, and it's pretty thick/warm sounding. You might as well try it. I can't speak to the effects of changing stop-tail height because I don't have one.

IME, too much relief can make the strings stiffer feeling and more difficult to play, so I'd also recommend looking at that. Going to lighter gauge strings would also reduce relief slightly, so if you do that you might not need any adjustments.

John

**rpjazzguitar** · 10-26-2019, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by greveost

Also, what scale length is the neck, is it a shorter as in a Gibson type neck, or a longer as in a Fender type neck, if a short scale neck, the effect of loose strings might be greater.

It's 24 3/4.

**rpjazzguitar** · 10-26-2019, 04:22 PM

I didn't know that about round core.

Do you have a specific string to recommend?

In response to another post, the neck has very little relief -- and when I tried more, it didn't help.
The action is as low as I could get it without fretting out above the 12th position. I had a luthier check out the neck and he thought it was fine.

I'm also wondering if going to a .42 low E will make the bass strings a little quieter. That would be fine with me. I'm usually fighting against too much bass anyway.

**neatomic** · 10-26-2019, 07:03 PM

10-42 is not a common set gauge...of course you can cobble a set together...but i'd try a set of pure nickel rounds ...take a look at the ghs burnished nickel rockers..they go from 10-46 (the most common 10 set gauge)..but the ghs have a thinner inner core (less tension) and the pure nickel outer wrap is softer than nps or stainless steel...

truss rod adjustments are always beneficial...necks regularly change due to temperature and humidity...always work with that first..get the neck right and everything falls into place...(usually)

playing with the tailpiece height can make a difference..but its really a fine tune after other tweaks have been made..

you can always sink the pickups into body a bit to avoid "twang"...or too much bass off low E...but the pure nickel wound strings have less magnetic reaction with pup magnets

look into pure nickel rounds...like dr pure blues(round inner core), the ghs burnished nickel rockers(small inner core), thomastik bebops (round inner core), etc

luck

cheers

ps- or get one of the above in common 9-42 set and sub out the hi e & b...all plain strings are basically the same

**rpjazzguitar** · 10-26-2019, 07:54 PM

I started by raising the tailpiece. It was the easiest thing to try first.

The guitar goes badly out of tune - flat. I guess that's because the string tension is being reduced. Is that because the overall length is being reduced or because of the breakover angle?

At first, it didn't make much difference in feel. But then I raised it more, and it seemed to help.

I got to the point where I became concerned that I might completely unscrew the tailpiece from the guitar. How long are the studs and how far do they penetrate into the block?

**neatomic** · 10-26-2019, 08:04 PM

adjusting stop tailpiece height can do 2 things..change the perceived tension of the strings...correct any kind of buzzing/sitaring effects going on with saddle (provided the saddle slot is cut right!)

the intonation should not be affected...tho an intonation check never hurts after any kind of tweaking

my advice is start with string change...adjust trussrod..check saddle height..check stop tailpiece height

cheers

**rpjazzguitar** · 10-26-2019, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by neatomic

adjusting stop tailpiece height can do 2 things..change the perceived tension of the strings...correct any kind of buzzing/sitaring effects going on with saddle (provided the saddle slot is cut right!)

the intonation should not be affected...tho an intonation check never hurts after any kind of tweaking

my advice is start with string change...adjust trussrod..check saddle height..check stop tailpiece height

cheers

Makes sense. Thanks.

This guitar has never stayed in tune all that well - which may be my fault, because I think I screwed the tailpiece down. The guitar arrived perfectly setup by Bill Comins, but I went to a lighter string gauge and I wanted to squeeze all the twang out of the high E and increase sustain on the highest notes. At some point, I think I screwed the tailpiece down further (hard to remember). I'll do a string change as soon as I get the right set. Truss rod seems fine.