.012 for high E, safe?

BluesBop Harry

My rhythm player has a Gitane D500 that sounds pretty good but kinda lacks body for the first string, is it okay to replace just that one string with a .012 gauge?? .013 maybe?
I know gypsy guitars can't take too much string tension, but is that one string a danger really? I bet it'd help the sound of that guitar...

Craig Bumgarner

I've used 12s and 13s at times, didn't seem to hurt.

Craig

spatzo

I do think that 012 it is too heavy for those guitars and 013 will screw the neck ... :shock: :?

BluesBop Harry

spatzo wrote:

I do think that 012 it is too heavy for those guitars and 013 will screw the neck ... :shock: :?

Really? I mean to keep the other strings the same and just change the first one... Can one string make such a difference in tension as to damage the neck?

CalebFSU

This cat I know puts 12 gauge elixers on his D-500 and it seems to be ok, although he keeps his action really low and I don't particularly think it has what most would consider a good jazz manouche tone but he likes it. I think as long as you set it up correctly it would be ok.

B25Gib

It's a 12 fret to the body neck and a little wider with more "mass" so I'd wouldn't worry about trying a 12 on the high E. Just watch the neck relief and see how it responds. I don't think one string is going to have a negative impact either.
Rocky

Nolan

I've used 12's 13's for a top e many times I know Jimmy has too...no big deal...sounds thicker.

cheers,

robin

BluesBop Harry

Thanks!
We'll try it for a while, I bet it's gonna sound fatter and cut more.