Still in search of optimal string for my Taylor 614ce

blackcats

As I noted in previous threads/posts, I found changing to DR Sunbeam strings on my Martin D35 has breathed incredible life into it, I've not been so fortunate to find "THE" optimal strings for my Taylor 614ce. 

So far I've tried a couple different gauges of Elixirs and frankly they are just ok for a premium string. Next I tried a set of the DR Sunbeams, which while incredible on my Martin didn't do a lot for me on the Taylor. Next I tried, as per a forum member's recommendation, the D'Addario Bluegrass strings. I think they're ok too, but the 13's on the low end make it a little harder on my (arthritic) hands for marginal gain in sound. 

Does anyone else have any ideas of strings to change? I'm looking to get a bit closer to the Taylor 814ce sound, a bit rounder, warmer, with a tight bass and even balance... but without getting muddy. Thoughts?

AliGorie

Taylors are ‘bright’ sounding character coupled with maple b/s which tends, in factory built guitars to have have a neutral, dry sound,  overall I can imagine quite a 'thin' sound coming from that combination. Whereas a 814 would contribute more overtone partials. 
Note, the strings have an inherent ’sound’ character because of what they’re made of and how they’re made + a guitar has an inherent ’sound’ character because of what they’re made of and how it’s put together. Add to that ‘mix’ your ideas of the sound YOU hear coming from YOUR guitar and the sound YOU want to hear from it.
The only ‘round’ / mellow sounding string that I can think of that might work on that guitar would be Thomastik-Infeld SPECTRUM BRONZE - read their info here -
http://www.thomastik-infeld.com/family-detail/Spectrum bronze

If you ‘kill’ bronze ally strings in a few weeks or less - don’t bother - thought I get 6 months to a year outa them.

wrinkleygit

Newtone Heritage Classics work well for my arthritic bits, mike b.

Lewy

When you were experimenting with the Elixirs did you try the HD Lights? They are a reversla of the bluegrass gauge approach, so lights on the bottom and mediums on the top. That combination really seems to work for some guitars.

@AliGorie - re the maple back and sides...I think Taylor re-voiced these guitars as opposed to just replacing hog/rw with maple on an existing pattern. The examples I've heard haven't had the expected maple brightness.