Best Avalon for Celtic backup

[nicatnite]

Hi I'm a new Avalon fan having just acquired a superb A200CE...aside from fingerstyle/open tunings, I also do a lot of strummed backup for fiddle/whistle using a dropped D or DADGAD tuning, along with frequent damping of the bass strings (think John Doyle -- I know, I know, in my dreams....) and I typically use .062 for the low string.
I'm so impressed with the Avalon "sound" which is distinct from Martin or even Lowden, and wondered about what in the Avalon range might suit the above criteria.
Any advice on what would give the best sound in that class? I'm thinking mahogany/spruce, which I currently use (Breedlove Atlas - nice sound but could use more volume). It has to have a solid "chunk" that cuts through.
Any advice/opinions appreciated,
Jon

[Loki]

My bro.does a lot of this using an Avalon L32c and a Sobell cittern for when a guitar just doesn't work.

[Rick Jones]

.062 for a low string?

Where do you get them from? I have been trying to get .60's for a while?

As for your question, I can say with confidence an L32 will do almost any duty you throw at it.

[boombox]

As for your question, I can say with confidence an L32 will do almost any duty you throw at it.

A big +1 to that!

[nicatnite]

Re big strings: juststrings.com has single strings from several mfrs. in the 0.060 to 0.070 range: For example D'Addario phosphor bronze -
http://www.juststrings.com/acousticphos ... rings.html

Jon

[Rick Jones]

Re big strings: juststrings.com has single strings from several mfrs. in the 0.060 to 0.070 range: For example D'Addario phosphor bronze -
http://www.juststrings.com/acousticphos ... rings.html

Jon

Thankyou!

[boombox]

Hi Nicanite

Just wanted to congratulate you on your new Avalon. Get ready for sore fingers - you'll be playing it a lot!

I also wanted to pay my respects - in 40 years playing I never came across anyone with a 62 gauge on their guitar, unless it was an acoustic bass player!

What gauge are the other strings in your set?!!

John

I guess if you are down tuning a lot, it could be good to go heavier guage. I am toying with the idea of doing a Rick J and putting 13s on, as my L32 spends so much time in DADGAD or C tunings, but a 62 on the bottom end? Seems we have the Steve Ray Vaughan of the acoustic - nicanite, do you superglue your fingertips too?

[nicatnite]

You guys crack me up
Actually I erred on the size - it's actually .059 but only because that's the largest Elixir offers in a Polyweb... the rest are mediums 13-17-26-36-46.
I keep the .059 tuned to D or C except when a standard tuning's called for.
BTW my bandmate uses .068 on a guitar exclusively tuned to dropped-D
And of course John Doyle uses .072!
More tension=more volume. And my sense is the larger the string the less it goes out of tune on fretting. Ordering a few single strings in alternative gauges is a good way to experiment and see what works for your guitar & style. Some tools for measuring string heights and filing nut slots may be needed....
And here are some resources online so you can find the ideal gauge for a dropped tuning (goal is to keep tension relatively constant across all strings)
http://www.daddario.com/DAstringtensionguide.Page
http://www.bangzero.org/stringtension/
Cheers,
Jon