well the overall tone of the acoustic guitar depends on many factors. hindi lang sa string gauge. shempre a big factor in the tone is the top. a solid top generally has a better tone than laminate (plywood) tops. a cedar topped acoustic has a warmer tone while the spruce top has a brighter tone. the back and sides din have a big effect on the tone, rosewood back and sides are bassier, mahogany back and sides have a punchier bright tone while maple back and sides have a sort of dry tone to it, more of pang-jazz. isa pang consideration eh an nut and saddle, usually stock nuts and saddles are made of plastic. i had mine replaced with a bone nut and saddle para medyo mas crisp ang tunog. body type ng gitara din malaki ang effect sa sound, dreadnaughts have a louder volume with booming bass while a smaller bodied guitar like a grand concert or auditorium have a more compact, punchy sound. sa strings naman, shempre mas makapal at malakas ang tunog ng heavier gauge strings while mas manipis ang lighter gauge strings. with regards to the set-up, don't sacrifice tone for the playability. aanhin mo angmagandang tunog kung hindi mo naman matugtog gitara mo dahil masakit sa kamay. and if ever there's a loss in sustain and tone, sobrang hindi naman pansin. i suggest having your guitar set-up by a pro like arie hipolito. sa kanya ko pinaset-up lahat ng acoustics ko and electrics narin. i've had quite a few acoustics already, starting from an applause, 3 ovations, a yamaha dreadnaught, a yamaha classic, ibanez thinline, jasmine (by takamine) solid top dreadnaught and a morris dreadnaught. i've sold all the others na, natira nalang sakin yung jasmine (na love na love ko, binili ko from arie himself, great tone parang martin na sha, hehe) and the morris "pang-harabas" guitar. pa-setup nyo kay arie, i think he charges from 600-1000 pesos. depende sa papagawa mo, i guarantee you, sobrang ayos at mamahalin mo ang gitara mo after, hehe. sorry mahaba.