Best strings for Loar LH-600 played acoustic only.
I bought a pre-owned Loar LH-600 and I wonder which strings you suggest.
I do not want to sound like a flat top (it defeats the purpose) but on the other hand I wonder if electric nickel strings are the right ones if you only play unplugged? I realize that there are other tools to "respect" the soul of an archtop, for example the plectrum gauge and its shape. But still, I believe that the strings choice is very important. So, my ideal strings for this guitar would be strings that do not try to modify the "spirit" of the instrument, but also that can be balanced and loud enough when I play acoustically. Any suggestions? Thank you ! |
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Thank you so much for your answer, Steve ! I ordered a couple of set of Martin retro, as you suggest. What do you think of D'Addario half-round stainless steel ? They are supposed to be electric guitar strings but I see that many forum members use them also for acoustic purposes. They are available in medium gauge (23-16). Do you have any experience with them ? Thanks again.
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Monels or 80/20's.
If you go 80/20, give them a good hard few days of play...they'll start off ear splitting bright, but then they'll mellow out in a way phosphor bronze never does. |
I had a Loar LH-300 for a while and it loved GHS white bronze 13's.
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In terms of acoustic guitar use I have an old Carlo Robelli J-45 knockoff set up with a Guitar Fetish dual-source (mag PU/condenser mic) system and the aforementioned Martin monels, that used to serve as my classroom guitar and currently does backup/bad-part-of-town open mic duty... Our band was recently booked to be the closing act in a Beatles tribute show, and I needed something that had the general tonal vibe of a Gibson J-160 circa 1965, without investing in another guitar that will admittedly see very limited use... I restrung it with D'A EHR350 Half-Rounds... Let's just say it definitely has "that" sound - whether or not you like "that" sound is strictly a matter of preference - and I won't vouch for the results on an archtop... |
I have a Loar LH700 and really like the Martin Monels, 13s. Currently I have some flatwounds (cant remember the brand) which are great too but it's quite different. In a pinch I'd go the Monels.
Might have to try some 80/20s next.... |
Got a Loar LH-700...
Looking for strings, after reading opinions here and there, I asked the Loar co : D'Addario EJ-17 (0,13-0,56) they replied. I would surely try flat tops as well (EFT-17). Looking for Martin Retro Monel, they have three 0,013-0,056 sets (!) : - MM13 - MMLJ13 with a little thinner mids (Laurence Jubert) - MMTR13 with another thinner mids arrangement dor Bluegrass (Tony Rice) I will try the Juber set for the sake of my brittle nails... and my eclectic repertoire. |
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Standard MM13s on my LH700, don’t really feel a difference compared to the MM12s on my long-scale OM-21. The Retros sound perfect, to my ears.
Steven |
After a week with the Monel 13s on my Godin jazz model, I'm still really liking the sound.
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Monel, Cleartone, Lifespan, Flat Top
I practically have a 'The Loar' fetish -- right now I'm down to four, with two LH-600s, a 650, and a new 700. I've played Loars since 2009, and I'm with many of you here: Martin Monels are just great. If Eddie Lang were alive...
That said, sometimes I flip 180 degrees and use either Martin Lifespan 2.0, or the Cleartones, and I love their Grand Light gauge, which is medium (.013 - .017) in treble and then low E (.056), but with rather light gauges for the remaining three wound strings. This is currently my favorite set for the LH-700. Yes, they're bright, but they're bloody LOUD! The Lifespan 2.0 are maybe even louder, but you lose the vintage "anti-bling" we all court. But, now & then I like some bling. :-) D'Addario Flat Tops are awesome on these guitars; yes, agreed. KJ |
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Thanks ! |
I've fitted D'addario Nickel bronze NB12-56s on my Gibson and Eastman archtops and they sound good and last well.
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kj |
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