String Gauges and Kids?

aubs1

Hi Guys and Gals (especially Keira), so Eli has now started with a guitar teacher, and I try to let him practice at least 30 minutes twice or three times a week (he also has soccer, ManU fanatic, and swimming).

So here is my problem! The Taylor is strung with (I guess) 12s, which are a bit hard on the poor buggers fingers, he complains quite a bit about it hurting his fingers, but he's loving playing and learning. Should I consider going to a lighter gauge or let him just "suffer" ?? I don't want it to "put him off"......... any ideas or suggestions? Thanx.

Bob-Dubery

aubs1 wrote: Hi Guys and Gals (especially Keira), so Eli has now started with a guitar teacher, and I try to let him practice at least 30 minutes twice or three times a week (he also has soccer, ManU fanatic, and swimming).

So here is my problem! The Taylor is strung with (I guess) 12s, which are a bit hard on the poor buggers fingers, he complains quite a bit about it hurting his fingers, but he's loving playing and learning. Should I consider going to a lighter gauge or let him just "suffer" ?? I don't want it to "put him off"......... any ideas or suggestions? Thanx.

How long has he been playing? Steel strings are going to cause some discomfort at first. Then the skin will harden.

You did have the action checked didn't you? Very humid in Jo'burg lately so it's possible the neck has got a bit of an extra curve in it and that's had the effect of raising the action.

ezietsman

Judging from my own experience as an adult(I am one according to my ID book) and currently playing 11 gauge on my LP, I'd reckon they'll be a bit stiff yeah. Lighter is better for learning on I would think.
My 0.02 ZAR

chris77

Hehehe, no man Aubs! If he wants to inherit your mighty fine gear one day, let him earn it! I say stick some 13's on there and let him tough it out... ? Seriously though, I would suggest the lightest guage possible. He wont be bothered with the loss of tone (yet), but the easier playability will make him much more keen to practice. Just think, one day you will be jamming Hendrix with your laaitjie - and what could ever be better than that?

[deleted]

Get a set of extra lights, for acoustic thats a 10 Aubs.. If it still hurts... you'll have to tell him "to bad, so sad, love dad"... There is nothing lighter... ?

aubs1

X-rated Bob wrote: How long has he been playing? Steel strings are going to cause some discomfort at first. Then the skin will harden.

Thanx for the feedback all! Well Bob, we have been stuffing around since he got the guitar, but then I decided (because of my impatience and lack of enough teaching knowledge) to get him to a teacher. He is lucky they have a very motivating and "live-wire" teacher at school, I like his style of teaching, makes it lots of fun, so obviously, this suits me to a T. So yea, he is now seriously in a disciplined, "have-to-do-your-homework" environment. Short answer, he's been for two lessons now, but we have to PRACTICE, like I mentioned earlier, a couple hours a week. He loves the playing, not the hurting!!! hahahaha...... tried to explain to him I went through the same discomfort when I started........but you know the story with kids........

X-rated Bob wrote: You did have the action checked didn't you? Very humid in Jo'burg lately so it's possible the neck has got a bit of an extra curve in it and that's had the effect of raising the action.

I have Bob, but compared to electrics, the acoustic will always "feel" higher. I tried a few kid's guitars in his class, and Eli's TBB feels like the best of the lot! But maybe I should go visit Andy and let him check it out again. Thanx Bob.

chris77 wrote: Hehehe, no man Aubs! If he wants to inherit your mighty fine gear one day, let him earn it! I say stick some 13's on there and let him tough it out...

Hey Chris, LOL, that thought did cross my mind!!!!! No pain, no gain.........hahahahah

@Brent and Ezietsman........Lighter gauge strings was my first thought, but always good to get this kind of feedback first. I also agree that TONE is not a priority now.
Feedback much appreciated.

Bob-Dubery

How old is your kid, Aubs?

That Taylor has a small body, BUT a full size neck and a full scale length. It's the same scale length as my Morgan, thus the same as a Strat (longer than a Les Paul), so that will mean big distances between frets for little hands and a high string tension. Just a slightly shorter scale might do him good. Let him practice with your Love Rock.

Seriously, the teacher must have seen these problems before. Ask the teacher. Obviously is the action is too high on the guitar it's going to stay high even if you put a lighter string on, but assuming that the action IS ok, ask the teacher.

aubs1

Hi Bob, Eli is now 9 years old, a bit bigger than your average 9-10 year olds.

Practice with the Love Rock could possibly be a very good idea. He can still take the Taylor to classes, get his lessons, then practice with the LR.
I was trying to avoid him getting into the electrics......(one gets quite spoilt with an electric) .....

I don't think the action is the problem...(but will still make an appointment with Andy, I think he is best qualified to comment/ deal with the action).....I believe your first comment about steel strings and absolute "beginners-fingers" is more the thing.

Stratisfear played the guitar a few weeks ago, and he seemed quite comfortable with it, in fact he liked it.

Heath

Rotosound make 8s and 9s for accoustic . They will help with the fingers but will sound very thin

inflames

Hi Aubs,

I had to buy a acoustic for a friend of mine 2 months ago. The brother is as big as a house, but his fingers hurt just to much!
I replaced his strings with Ernie Ball Super Slinky and the man is so happy!

singemonkey

I've heard good things about learning on electric guitars. Especially when it comes to barre chords - remember that? ("I'll never get this right!" buzz, buzz, buzz). Les Pauls though sit awkwardly - with the back heaviness and the wide fretboards and all. You've got a "strat" like guitar, right? Unless the LP gives him such a kick that it makes him excited to practise (damn, I know it would for me if I was just starting) I think a Fender-like guitar form is maybe ideal for a raw beginner - the comfort and narrower board makes up for the higher string tension imo.

Don't mess this up ? You're living the dream here. It's really great that he's got a teacher that he enjoys.

*update*

Ah. You've got a strat and a tele. Seems perfect. Also you have such broad taste in guitars that he can't take up playing one that you can't countenance in later life. I don't know what I would do if my kid took up with an Ibanez ?

guitar1234

how old is Eli?, I'm 13 and play with 12 to 46 gauge strings and it use to hurt my fingers but now i can barely notice. just let him duke it out and it'll fix itself. ?

aubs1

guitar1234 wrote: how old is Eli?, I'm 13 and play with 12 to 46 gauge strings and it use to hurt my fingers but now i can barely notice. just let him duke it out and it'll fix itself. ?

Hello buddy, Like I said previously, Eli's 9. You use 12-46?? Yep, if you read my previous posts, you'll see what all my comments are. But thanx for your interest. ?

peters

My son learned to play on Ernie Ball 8's on a Jamboree, and has never complained about sore fingers, but has often said that other peoples acoustics are difficult to play because of heavy gauge strings and height settings.

Bob-Dubery

peters wrote: My son learned to play on Ernie Ball 8's on a Jamboree, and has never complained about sore fingers, but has often said that other peoples acoustics are difficult to play because of heavy gauge strings and height settings.

Just about anything feels heavy and lots of work after eights.

Tamago

Very humid in Jo'burg lately so it's possible the neck has got a bit of an extra curve in it and that's had the effect of raising the action.

Yeah you can say that is the case here too...

Fingerpicker

I play 11s on my Taylor, very nice.

Let him capo at, say, third fret. Brings the action down and the frets closer together. The more comfortable it is, the longer he will practice...