Acoustic Guitar: Vintage Guitar Care and Feeding How to take care of a vintage guitar...

Subject: Tuning
Date: Sun, 29 Feb 2004 10:32:36 -0500

I enjoy your website. I have learned a great deal. Here's a question.
I have a Martin 00 18 that I bought new in the sixties. I have always
been afraid to tune it up to pitch in fear the neck would bow or otherwise
become damaged. I have used a capo all the years and now my grandson would
like to tune it up. What do you think?
Thanks for your time and keep up the good work. Ivan Copas

Greetings Ivan,

These are superb guitars...with a very balanced tone...and, yes, you do want to be extra careful about which strings to use...never use heavy gauge...and, really, my recommendation would be to buy Silk & Steel strings (light gauge)...these will have far less tension...and should allow you easier playability than standard steel strings while ensuring that there isn't too much tension on your vintage guitar neck...another alternative, if you're looking for more volume, would be light gauge strings...they should pose no problem when tuning up to pitch...you'll have to make the final decision...

Mickey