String Tension

First make sure you didn't accidentally tune it one octave higher.  It happens.  What kind of a tuner are you using? Those are light strings so you shouldn't have the buzz.

I have no explanations, but will toss out some possibilities.  There are a lot of variables in strings from construction to material to age.  It seems reasonable to me that as strings stretch and "settle in" that they'd feel different from new strings, and it makes sense to me that phospher bronze strings will feel different from nickle will feel different from silk and steel.  Flatwounds will feel different from round wounds will feel different from half-rounds.  Finally, I think that fingers are a somewhat unrelaible means for measuring string tension. 

So, given all the variables, my suggestion is for you to eat some Wheaties. 

- Zurf

Ohhhhh, GBD (Great Big Dave) there's LOTS of threads floating around about string suggestions and really everyone has a difference of opinion.  This section (acoustic) is a good place to look though.  Personally, I wouldn't think that there'd be anything wrong with being a guy with Popeye arms (as long as you figure out how to work out your right arm and aren't unbalanced). 

Woah! I make it a point not to touch anything with the word 'Truss' in the title! That way lies madness methinks.
I think the neck is okay, if I press down hard enough there is no problem at all. I'm just a bit perturbed that I even have to think about it when I am not playing any different to how I normally would. I am thinking that it must be the strings because I got them from a different shop and I don't think that I have had this make before. Having had a root through my guitar stuff I have bags with Jim Dunlop and DAddario and the like but no Martin. I take my guitar to a Luthier every year for a set up and he generally just hands me the same strings he put on. I don't have to look. Lazy I suppose.
Think I will take Amy's advice and have a peruse of this forum, see if I can learn something. Although last time a young lady told me to excercise my right arm It didn't go well!!

Guitarpix, you are indeed a gentleman of the highest order!

I don't like Martin strings. 

I use D'Addorio almost exclusively, though I've been trying some others lately.  I do use Elixir nano strings sometimes and right now I have Peavey strings on because I bought them for $3 out of a cheap bin.  I'll probably try some of those rare earth or whatevers, and maybe some Ernie Ball strings as all the bluegrass guys seem to dig those.  Anyway.  I try all sorts of strings and change them about every four to six weeks.  I switch up brands, materials, and sizes. 

My Yamaha sounds best with D'Addario Silk and Steel .011's, but they go dead from the oils on my hands in about two weeks and take two or three days to settle in. So I don't get much play out of them.  Elixir nanoweb .012s are the second best sound for that guitar.  They last a loooooot longer, so despite being more than twice the price are a better value for me.  I can get two months or more out of those strings on that guitar. 

I'm still messing around with my Guild to see what sound I like best.  So far, the phospher bronze is leading the pack.  The el cheapo Peavey strings actually sound pretty good.  These are .012s.  I've found that the Guild likes .012s and .013s, but my Yamaha likes .011s and .012s.  Must have to do with what Guitarpix said.  My Yamaha came strung with .010s and it sounded like trash.  But I've lowered the bridge and had a truss rod adjustment to take the .012s. 

There's some rambling thoughts. 

Short story of it: Strings are cheap.  Try a bunch.  If you use a pick, try different picks too.  I was amazed at how much difference a pick makes to tone. 

- Zurf

Stupid trick.Try tuning an octave lower.As long as the strings are in tune to each other it should sound fine.It will take some of the tension off the strings and make it easier to play.It may even give it a deeper gritty sound(best way to describe it).Give it a try.The worst that can happen is nothing.

Pix... I remember that was a REALLY good post, and I looked and can't find it either.  When you do find it, I think maybe it should be copied into a new topic and made as a sticky for reference.  There was really good info in there!

GBD - that's not a bad idea!  Some professional advice couldn't hurt (except for maybe your wallet).  Update the thread here when you come back.  I'm curious to know what the pro has to say.  I have Daddario bronze/phospher strings on my guitar right now and am not overly impressed.  They had a nice tone to them (though different) when I first put them on, but it's been only a week or two and already they are sounding old.  I like elixer nanowebs for their staying power.

You are not alone. 

Everyone here, and I expect everywhere else for that matter, had to learn that stuff too.  You should never concern yourself about looking foolish while you try to learn.  If someone thinks that you do, it says much more about that person than it does you. 

When I passed my first course in introductory tennis, the instructor gave this speech to the class, and I think it applies well to guitar too, "Congratulations.  Each of you now knows something about tennis.  From this point on, for as long as you play tennis you need to do two things.  The first thing is to play with someone who is better than you.  That is how you improve.  The second thing is to play with someone who is not as good as you.  That is how they learn." 

- Zurf

Guitarpix, I think I just found the post you were refering to:

http://www.chordie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=15254

What a post! that must have taken some serious research. Think I will print that one out.

IN Russia, they probably have two kinds of guitar strings - for sale and not for sale!  Ha! 
My standard acoustic strings are the Martin 80/20 Bronze Light gauge (not Marquis) that cost $4-5 a set.  On my guitars they sound good; I know that I'll wear them out in a couple weeks, but they're not expensive.  (I buy 20 sets each time I order.)  However, I still branch out.  I like the sound of John Pearse strings and buy a couple sets now and then; I also like Elixirs because I chord-slide often and will string those for solo gigs (but when I play ensemble and thus, solo often, I expect the G-string to break - even on a fresh set!); Cleartones sound great but the coating is thinner or less than the Elixirs and they do not hide the (sliding) string buzz well. 
The Finale?  In my guitar-junk closet, right now I have 5 different acoustic strings.  Even the perfect one needs comparison to remind me it's perfect.  For everyday, run-of-the-mill strings, I'd recommend the Martin 80/20 Bronze... for the tone, the price and durability.  (I bend alot on acoustic leads; and have not broken a string on a Martin set!)