Taylor 417e-R String Comparison ~ D'Addario XS Medium, XT Medium, Martin MA550 Medium, MA540 Light

Soft Finger Picking 0:00 Picking Out Notes 1:29 Strummy Strum Strum 2:50 Hard Strummy Strum 3:52
Please “Like” and “Subscribe”. Thanks! ~ I don’t usually do “gear” videos, but I made this for myself and I figured I might as well share it. I traded in my beloved Guild D-55 because it was just too big, heavy, and difficult to play at this point, and I want to preserve my wrists. This Taylor 417e-R plays like a dream, but it is brand new and definitely not broken in. It’s not even set up yet, although the factory setup is pretty darn close. She’s a classic with Sitka top, Rosewood back n’ sides, Mahogany neck, and Ebony fingerboard. Taylor recommends D’Addario XS Phosphor Bronze Medium (13 - 56), and they are shipped with them. They are expensive at $20.00 a set, and I absolutely hate the feel of the coating. It's like 'wearing a raincoat in the shower', as they say. The Medium XTs (13 - 56) are better, but I still don’t like the coated feeling, or the lack of string noise. I’ve always used Martin Phosphor Bronze on my D-55, so I tried both MA550 Medium (13 - 36) and Light (12 - 54). The lights definitely have the most sustain, and I can dig in to a vibrato a bit deeper. The Mediums have a fuller, richer sound, but perhaps too much tension for me to use a big vibrato on chords. (See tension chart below.) Both Martin sets demonstrated here are heavier than what I used to use on the D55, which were Custom Lights (12 -52). Recorded au naturale with my iPhone. What do you think?
Set Tensions:
MA550: 190.90 lbs
XT: 185.27 lbs
XS: 180.70 lbs
MA540: 168.50 lbs
The songs I’m noodling are:
1. Don’t Know Why (Jesse Harris)
2. In Germany Before The War (Randy Newman)
3. Hiding Out (Pete Townshend)
4. Bird on a Wire (Leonard Cohen)
I own nothing. All credit to the songwriters. I’m lucky I have socks.
0:00 Soft Finger Picking
1:29 Picking Out Notes
2:50 Strummy Strum Strum
3:52 Hard Strummy Strum

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Hey, kids! I am very proud to announce the release of two new albums: “Tony Cultreri ~ On Betrayal”. Pure instrumental music, straight from my heart. A guitar-driven, intense, and emotional journey. And “Tony Cultreri & Brian Lynch ~ These Different Machines (Deluxe Edition)”. Essential songs, powerful lyrics, and passionate playing. The Great Ride's starting now! Visit tonycultreri.bandcamp.com for high-def digital downloads. They're also available to download on iTunes, and all other usual locations. Now streaming everywhere finer records and tapes are streamed. Your support is needed and very much appreciated! ❤🎸🤘😎

[@outtathyme5679]

The first set