Guitar String gauge....too big?

Question

I've always had .11 gauge strings on my acoustic guitar. Recently I've been learning to finger pick and the .11's just arent loud enough so I decided to put on .13's. The .13's have been on for a few days and they wont stay in tune; I have never experienced this with the .11's. Also, I tune the d string up to e for a song I know and it wont hold, the pin pops out. Is my guitar not meant to use .13's? I'm thinking I should try .12's.

Answer 1

Hi Lint

If you put .013 on any guitar, you will have to tighthen the truss rod because the neck will be too warped or bowed. The proper clearance is 1/8" for acoustic guitars.

You can see this by putting one finger on the 1st and 12th fret and look towards the middle of the neck to see if their is too much, or not enought clearance.

Too much clearance ?  Turn the truss rod 1/2 turn at a time clockwise and do the opposite if the string are touching in the middle when you depressend the 1st and 12th fret.

Answer 2

yah man.  people go for bigger gauges when they're tyring to tune down.  you're fighting physics bro.  generally the strings will stretch out quicker than a few days, which is why most strings don't stay in tune right away.  good luck