String gauge change

Moving to a heavier or lighter set of strings, which changes tension, feel, tone and often the setup of the whole instrument.

Heavier strings sound fuller and louder, stay in tune better under a firm attack and resist bending, but they pull harder on the neck, so relief usually needs adjusting and the intonation will move slightly. Lighter strings are easier to bend and press but sound thinner and are more prone to breakage and to being pulled sharp. On a guitar with a floating tremolo, changing gauge also changes the spring balance and the bridge angle.

Example: fitting a set a gauge heavier on an acoustic often calls for a truss rod adjustment and a new intonation check.

String gauge change

See also