Tech: How Would My GSMini Handle Heavy Strings

Subject: Tech: How Would My GSMini Handle Heavy Strings
From: GUEST,Shark
Date: 02 Aug 17 - 09:24 AM

I recently purchased a Taylor GS mini Koa top guitar.


My Guitar

My question is, what do you think would be the heaviest strings it could handle? I want to do heavy string open tuning stuff but I'm not sure I want to put it through that kind of transformation.

What do you think?

Subject: RE: Tech: How Would My GSMini Handle Heavy Strings
From: gillymor
Date: 02 Aug 17 - 09:26 AM

Sounds like a question best put to Taylor.

Subject: RE: Tech: How Would My GSMini Handle Heavy Strings
From: GUEST,Mark Bluemel
Date: 02 Aug 17 - 10:16 AM

Taylor says the current versions have Elixir Phosphor Bronze Medium strings as supplied, so I'd guess you can get up to that level safely. See also
here.

I'd be wary of trying to go much heavier unless you are tuning a long way down.

As Gillymor suggests, the safest approach is to ask Taylor customer service.

Subject: RE: Tech: How Would My GSMini Handle Heavy Strings
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Aug 17 - 04:35 AM

How heavy is heavy? And in what tuning? There's a big difference between the amount of tension on the guitar in a regular tuning compared to a detuned one. If the majority of your strings are going to be detuned, then you don't think you need to worry. You could even try a mixture of strings if you're really concerned - use heavy gauge for the strings that will be detuned and medium gauge for any in regular tuning (or tuned up)

It's a Koa top but laminate back and sides, and laminates are pretty strong. If it really did turn out to be a problem you'd be more likely to keep on breaking strings rather than actually damage the guitar.

I play an orchestra-size all-solid-mahogany guitar and I use heavy gauge strings tuned down one tone (because I prefer the sound of guitars in that register). It's a Recording King 616. If I'm playing with others (e.g. at a session) I capo up in order to be in the same tuning. I'd be willing to bet the GS Mini would sound better in that standard-tuning-but-a-tone-down anyway: it often does wonders for small guitars.