Ask a Teacher: Lighter Gauge Strings

Bill: Can I put the lighter gauge electric guitar strings on an acoustic guitar (that is also electric) to make it easier to fret and do bends on it?

Peter: You can but there are several things you should know. I wouldn't use electric strings but lighter gauge acoustic strings. Lighter gauge will also mean less tone and less volume. Secondly, your guitar is not set up for these gauge strings and will probably have to be. This also means if you switch back to a heavier string it will have to be set up again.