That is a pretty big change. I have found the response and overall sound of smaller strings on recordings to be better. That is what got me to try getting off of 11's.I used to be primarily 10-52, with occasional 11's but switched to 9-42 and found I much prefer the sound of them so they're on everything atm.
When you can strike gold on an acoustic I would keep the same strings as well. I think I have the same guitar as you. Aged wood and toner but isn't beat up looking. The case smelled so strong of glue I about passed out when I opened it...lol. GREAT GUITAR ! ! ! I am with you as well on having a ton of strings needing to be gone through.I was a Fender player early on, played GHS Boomers for many years, then EB Slinkys. About a dozen years back I changed to Elixir strings, and have stayed there for anything electric. The 10 set on regular electrics, 11 set on Taylor T5s, and 12 set on acoustics, except my HD28, which sounds too good with Martin strings to change.
I might make the switch back to a standard 9 set at some point, but I’ve got a ton of strings to use up in my gear cabinet to make any changes soon.
I tried out the Ernie Ball strings just for the gauge size. I saw some video of Steve Stevens talking about somebody finally doing this specific gauge set and it caught my eye. I really like the Hybrid set of 9's they make. I bet you would as well. 9-46. I am also considering bulk in each string size and making my sets rather than using packs. Probably easier that way once I decide what I like and will go with.1&2) I use 10's on everything electric and 11's on acoustic guitars.
3) I have been using D'Addario strings for many years. I used to use Ernie Ball Slinky, 9's, back in the day. I took a break from playing and when I came back I had issues with bending them out of tune when playing. I remembered thinking that D'Addario strings were very stiff feeling to me back in the day so I decided to give them a try again and go up to 10's. That has worked out well for me. The Ernie Ball strings used to go dead on me after about two gigs. The D'Addario's last much longer for me.
4) I am either in standard tuning or a half step down. Most of the bands in my area play a half step down. It is a bit easier for us older guys to hit those notes vocally. Using 10s with a half step down feels good. It takes a little adjustment when going back to standard tuning. On occasion I have put D'Addario 9's on a guitar just to try something new.
I used to use DR 9/42’s, now Ernie Ball Super Slinkies on every guitar I own. A comment on the bulk idea, I used to have extras of everything then a few times I would pull out a specific gauge to use and the string would be corroded . I started going through my stash and I changed my mind about tankering strings. So now I keep six sets at all times to do string changes. Now a little background as I keep two guitars out on stands and pretty much will rotate those out every six months. There are also times I just pull the guitar that hasn’t got attention in a while and restring it just to keep it fresh. My house is not over dry or damp.I tried out the Ernie Ball strings just for the gauge size. I saw some video of Steve Stevens talking about somebody finally doing this specific gauge set and it caught my eye. I really like the Hybrid set of 9's they make. I bet you would as well. 9-46. I am also considering bulk in each string size and making my sets rather than using packs. Probably easier that way once I decide what I like and will go with.
1/2) I use mostly 10-46, but for some odd reason I’m liking the feel of the plain strings on a 9.5-44 set on my 594, even though it’s a shorter scale length already. The downside is the wound strings, especially the low E, doesn’t always play in tune as well. I need to go back to the 10-46 set and see how it goes. Everything else, regardless of scale length, is the 10-46 set, so not sure why the difference doesn’t bother me, but it’s less strings to keep stocked.1) What gauge(s) of strings do you use?
2) Do you use different gauges on different guitars and if so how many different gauges do you use?
3) What brand(s) of string do you use?
4) What are your tunings?
It’s a 2016 model if I recall and, yes, solid gold. The most even-toned acoustic I’ve ever owned. I totally lucked into that one, buying it sight unseen. It plays like a Martin, which isn’t electric-easy like the Taylor it replaced, but the sound is glorious and totally worth it.When you can strike gold on an acoustic I would keep the same strings as well. I think I have the same guitar as you. Aged wood and toner but isn't beat up looking. The case smelled so strong of glue I about passed out when I opened it...lol. GREAT GUITAR ! ! ! I am with you as well on having a ton of strings needing to be gone through.