What gauge string is best for fingerstyle?

I want a "fingerstyle" guitar and realizing the whole thing is subjective, are light guage better for fingerstyle? The reason I ask is that the Taylor GS's seem to be setup for Mediums and the x12/x14 generally come with light guage.

I play more nylon string and than steel string, but am looking in the steel string Grand(X) body direction. I have played several Taylor x14's and like the feel of light guage on them. The Taylor GS played and sound very well but the action seems a little stiff to me with Medium's.

I would like some of your thoughts as I don't buy guitars very often and scrutinize the purchase heavily trying to anticipate current and future needs or preferences.

Does anyone know what any fingerstyle performers use guitar body size and string guage?

What are your preferences?

Thanks.

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Martin 000-28EC, Taylor 12fret Cedar/Mahogany, Taylor GC8, Taylor T5
Takamine TC135SC, Yamaha APX5na

I like playing light gauge strings. Since the x12/x14 guitars are probably better suited to fingerstyle (my own personal opinion is that all guitars CAN be played fingerstyle, but the smaller body is more personal, comfortable, and warm for fingerstyle)...
I enjoy light gauge strings for fingerstyle.

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Guitar-less

Hi Turp...
My discovery has been that it really depends on the particular guitar - not the model number, but each instrument. And it also depends on the style of the particular person who plays the instument.

Two of my guitars use .012 (light) and two others use .011 (Custom Light). All four have very similar action, and the tone of each is full and balanced.

Strings weights are not the consideration till after the instrument has been under your fingers for a while.

We have a friend who is 6 feet 8 inches tall, and he plays .013s with a heavier bottom end yet and to his hands they feel ''normal''. Few others can play his guitar with any fluidity, but when he plays it, it sounds awesome.

hi
i am fingerstyle been playing nylon for longtime and now i play steel too
depends in the action of your guitar, for me custom light (11) works good.
but i played a concert taylor with medium (14) and was fine!! so;;;

a taylor x14 would accept D'addario PB 12s(light) just fine. also, if you are used to nylon strings, try a set of Martin silk and steel guitar strings, although i really think you will prefer the bite and projection of the PBs better. but only you will know....

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wood

'71 Guild D25
'83 Guild D35
'98 Guild F30r

I'm with Larry on this one. It's about the individual guitars and the player's approach. My little Taylor Grand Concert wears lights, with a medium B and E to fatten up the trebles. Works great. Put a full set of mediums on it and it seems to choke. My Thompson T1c had the same setup until last Sunday, when I put on a set of mediums. The increase in volume and sustain is pretty remarkable. Now we'll just have to see if my hands can adjust. I suspect the new tension will handle lower action. I may have to bring the saddle down a bit.

Tim

I think, since you're alreay an experienced player, your best bet is to go play lots of different guitars and chose one yourself. That is said a lot here. I think you can get some recommendations on models to try. I'd say go play an x12 and x14, and a GS, as well as an x10 and other makes and models. I played just about every Taylor in the store when I was out shopping for mine. Of course, I was not looking to spend what am 814 cost, or I would likely have gotten on of those, but still, I like my 314CE (the one I played) better than many models I tried that cost more. I also played Gibsons and Martins, as well as some others before decding on the Taylor. So far, I have only one regret and that is, I wish I had gotten the 414CE LOL.

Good luck!

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2005 Taylor 914CE
2003 Pavan TP-20
2004 Samick JZ4 Archtop
2005 Squire Fat Srat
2010 Laguna LD1 Little Brat

There are lots of good comments here. I tend to agree that light gage strings are great for fingerstyle. Lower string height is also good. I have a 12, 14, 10, and 15, and enjoy playing fingerstyle on all of them. As I grow older and improve my skill (i'm just rationalizing i.e. GAS) I'd like a wider fretboard and slightly lower tension strings. I guess the top wood should be extra responsive thus the choice of cedar. Does anyone have a preference for top wood when considering an exclusive fingerstyle instrument? It's interesting that Larrivee chose sitka for their fingerstyle instrument.

I prefer smaller bodied guitars as I really like the x12/x14. They seem to be more "intimate" as far as comfort and feel. One poster mentioned silk and steel strings which I really like but have'nt had a guitar for lately. I guess the point of my question was to gain a better idea of guitar choice versus the optimum string guage they are braced for.

As I said I don't buy guitars very often and have just in the recent years been willing to spend for an enthuiast level guitar but only in the last few years have I really started achieving the sound that was in me. I still have some time til I pull the trigger. I'll use that to do some saving and playing. Problem is playing requires an hour drive at least. Driving, trying and not buying is a bummer.

Thanks for the help.

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Martin 000-28EC, Taylor 12fret Cedar/Mahogany, Taylor GC8, Taylor T5
Takamine TC135SC, Yamaha APX5na

I prefer smaller body guitars for my fingerpicking blues stuff. I have been using 12s on my guitars. I was at a workshop about two weeks ago and I had my Gibson LG2. The instructor, Doug MacLeod, told me to try 13s on the little Gibson. He said it will give it more body and even a more blues sound. I did and I love them.

I then decided to switch my Vintage Steel National from 12s to 15s to play bottleneck with and do some fingerpicking. I was wondering if my fingers would take 15s also. So far what I can say is I get a much different sound with the 15ths and they aren't so bad to fingerpick with also. What a great sound in a G or D tuning.
Midnight Shadow

That same question caused me to switch many guitars brands & sizes...

I like a darker tone but enjoy lighter strings.

My favorite for fingerstyle is a darker sounding 000 with light strings.

Good luck in your journey.

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Eastman Jumbo, Eastman 710, Yamaha SLG100S, BlueRidge BR-183, & Seagul SA6.

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