String choices for a SC guitar.

[Mike63]

Hello, I’m sorry if I should have known this or seen it somewhere. Without playing it first, I recently acquired a 2023 Santa Cruz Model F guitar with Maple back and sides from a reputable seller online. It’s the nicest and most expensive acoustic guitar I’ve ever owned. However, when it arrived, I was deeply disappointed that it sounded weak and lifeless. I realized the strings were very thin, so I changed to 13s, and the guitar came to life. Is there a reason it was strung with those strings from a dealer? Do I need to have someone adjust the truss rod? Any constructive comments are welcome. Thank you.

[SkyDog]

What strings does SC recommend? Is this what was on it? High end guitars can sit a few months before purchase. Perhaps they were oxidized/corroded. Why assume the rod needs adjusted?

[indexless]

Paging the King of SCGC “F”  Tad Laird

[Hank]

Mike 63 welcome. You are now the proud owner of an Iconic Sc model.

I have a 2001 F Cutaway Maple/German….I almost sold it to a friend in Ca. and actually sent it to him to try before deciding.

It was strung with SC Low tension Parabolics.

My friend said the strings were dead and he restrung with these :  Elixir Strings – Acoustic Phosphor Bronze with NANOWEB Coating – Elixir Acoustic Guitar Strings – Custom Light (.011-.052).

He loved the guitar but did not purchase ( I’m so glad he didn’t) and returned it to me with the Elixers…..It is a GREAT COMBO…..Very articulate , Loud , clear and with a very Jazzy /Ventura Highway sonic Vibe.

Try Em… You’ll like Em …..Unless you have a very heavy attack !….

[Mike63]

Thank you for your thoughtful answers. I also used Elixir nanoweb phosphor bronze, which is what I use on my Taylor. They may have been oxidized or low-tension on the SC, which just felt wrong. It is a brilliant guitar, which I will cherish.

[tadol]

2023 is still a new guitar, and if it hasn’t gotten a lot of play, it may still need to open up (although old strings could also have been at play). Using a heavier gauge string, and playing it a lot, will certainly help. Just (as Richard would tell you) keep an eye on your action, and if needed, keep the guitar adjusted to accommodate the strings you’re using.

We all know how great SC guitars are, but the F model, especially in maple, is an exceptionally nice guitar – I thought I’d kinda locked up the market on those (😉) – I guess they keep building more. Not sure how/what you play, but I put an UltraTonic pickup in a couple of mine, and they are great plugged in.
Enjoy!!

[SkyDog]

Things are startin’ to swing ‘round here!

[BOWIE]

Strings are largely a personal choice and the best thing a person can do is try different ones. I think it’s less about the instrument and more about how it’s being played and what sound the player wants. We’re not all making the same music in the same ways.

[Mike63]

Good point Bowie. I think the heavier, standard tension Phosphor Bronze or 80/20s I normally use suits my style(s) and brought out what I was thinking of and hoping for when I bought it. They’re what I use on my Taylor Indian Rosewood Jumbo, so it makes sense that I would need to have something to judge by.

[Author]

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