The Acoustic Guitar Forum

The Acoustic Guitar Forum (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/index.php)
-   Archtops (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=56)
-   -   Archtop string gauge (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=610672)

kayakman 03-22-2021 09:11 AM

Archtop string gauge
 
Currently I have 13`s on my 38 L5, anyone using 12`s on there accoustic archtop?? Thanks Brian.

mr. beaumont 03-22-2021 09:15 AM

I do .012s but replace the E and B with those from a set of .013s.

I find heavier strings on the bottom doesn't have as much tonal benefit and just makes the guitar harder to play, but up top, it's a big positive difference.

kayakman 03-22-2021 09:19 AM

strings
 
Good idea. thank you sir, I will give it a go....

Glennwillow 03-23-2021 07:04 PM

I use 12s on my Eastman archtop. The strings are pretty much the same gauge that I use on a flat top acoustic. That way they feel the same to me.

- Glenn

kayakman 03-24-2021 11:17 AM

strings
 
Are you getting the"punch" out of the 12`s?

Pnewsom 03-28-2021 05:56 AM

I've been using D'Addarrio Chrome Flatwound's, 12-52's on my Ibanez archtop for years. It's an L5 knockoff, with a carved top and a floating mini-humbucker. It sounds excellent with these strings, both acoustic and electric. I tried a set of 13's once, but the guitar got kind of choked sounding from the extra tension so I went back to 12's.

RoyBoy 03-28-2021 07:07 AM

My recently completed L-5 style archtop is only set up for acoustic right now, I haven't got around to putting a finger rest and pickup on it yet. I put Martin retro monel 13s on it to set it up and it's sounding so great I haven't upgraded to TI's yet. I love the sound of 13s, lots of body and great punch, especially in the wounds, and compared to my flattop it's so easy to play.

I guess if I was only playing electrically I might consider 12s. BTW, an L-5 of the vintage of yours must sound out of this world! You might consider bouncing this question off a jazz guitar forum. You'd likely find loads of experienced players who wrestled with the same question.

kayakman 04-01-2021 08:36 AM

string gauge
 
IMO my L5 does come through strong with the 13`s on it,I had the Martin Retro`s on it,but switched to D Addario Phosphur Bronze,they last longer.It has 80 plus years of aging going for it if that matters.....

Steve DeRosa 04-01-2021 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayakman (Post 6678983)
...I had the Martin Retros on it, but switched to D'Addario Phosphur Bronze, they last longer. It has 80 plus years of aging going for it if that matters...

I'm very surprised: IME a set of Monels will last at least twice (and sometimes 3-4 times) as long as PB or 80/20 on any of my acoustics - and unless there's active, ongoing oxidation/off-gassing of the original plastic parts (not uncommon with early-/mid-20th century instruments IME - had two Epiphones, a Gibson, and a Gretsch with that problem) age has little if anything to do with it...

Glennwillow 04-04-2021 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayakman (Post 6671537)
Are you getting the"punch" out of the 12`s?

I don't play an archtop for punch. In fact, I don't play any guitar with what I would call "punch." I have a fairly light touch, and I play mostly with my fingers, rarely with a flat pick. So, I don't think I can address your question.

For me, 12s work great on my Eastman archtop. I couple of examples:





Hope this is helpful! :)

- Glenn

815C 04-07-2021 07:37 PM

I use Thomastik Jazz Swing strings 13-53 on my L-5. I love the feel, sound, and longevity of these strings.

Mandobart 04-08-2021 04:58 AM

My Eastman archtop started out as an MDC805 - an 8 string mandocello. I believe it’s braced heavier than an AR605 would be as a result. I get good volume, punch and tone with 13’s.

I’ve used many different strings (Newtone, monel, chrome, phosphor bronze) but went to Ernie Ball aluminum bronze several months ago. These are my favorite strings on this guitar so far.

kayakman 04-08-2021 07:07 AM

strings
 
Are the Ernie Ball`s round wound?

ssstewart 04-16-2021 05:47 PM

on my 1929 ss stewart archtop i use 11-52 Elixir phos bronze nanoweb
on telecaster and strat i use Gibson 09-42 ultra lite brites
on my other acoustics i use 12-53 elix phos bronze nan
on my classical i use ernie ball earthwood 28-42 (these earthwoods are very cheap $10 but perform/sound and last alot longer than $40 nylon strings- imo and experience)

Grinning Boy 04-17-2021 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont (Post 6669237)
I do .012s but replace the E and B with those from a set of .013s.

I find heavier strings on the bottom doesn't have as much tonal benefit and just makes the guitar harder to play, but up top, it's a big positive difference.

Wow this was a great tip. I've used TI 12s for years but tried switching the 2 trebles with a 13 and 17 from a.pack of D'Addarios and was amazed at the improvement in both playability and tone. It puts the melody strings out front more. Thanks for this suggestion.

beatcomber 04-19-2021 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 815C (Post 6684785)
I use Thomastik Jazz Swing strings 13-53 on my L-5. I love the feel, sound, and longevity of these strings.

TI flats are the finest available, and they last about a year or more, making them a better value than the price tag indicates.

I just put a set of TI .012's on my newly acquired '59 Gibson L-50. Fantastic.

https://scontent.fnyc1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...82&oe=60A2B552

dc. 05-21-2021 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont (Post 6669237)
I do .012s but replace the E and B with those from a set of .013s.

I find heavier strings on the bottom doesn't have as much tonal benefit and just makes the guitar harder to play, but up top, it's a big positive difference.

I agree 100% with this; I do the same thing on my Eastman! I have gone as heavy as 14 and 18 on the high E & B as an experiment, but I returned to 13 & 17 as my standard size; I think this is the ideal size for tone and playability.

I find that the low E & A strings tend to get "tubby" faster than the other strings, so I keep singles around and sometimes change the bottom two strings before changing the rest. Also, lighter strings in the bass register last longer and are more articulate, IMO.

Some of you might then ask if this makes the string tension disproportionate. I was concerned about this, so I wrote out a chart with the individual string tensions of my preferred strings. Thomastik Infeld Bebop are probably my favourite archtop strings, and are very well balanced in terms of tension (look at the inside of the string pack label for tensions). I find that replacing the high E & B on sets from other companies with one size heavier string usually makes sense if using the TI sets as a guide for tension. In general, most sets will not be imbalanced in terms of tension if the high E & B are replaced with one size heavier gauge, and I replace these two strings on pretty much all sets except the Thomastik Infelds, which seem ideal to me. Plus the Thomastiks have those brass coated top strings which feel a little bit nicer. Incidentally, the plain steel Thomastiks are slightly lower tension than the equivalent strings from most other companies.

I also like Monels for my Eastman, but I'm not crazy about the Martin "Retros" because they are hex core and quite stiff (although they sound great!). I'm planning on trying the Curt Mangan Monels or Newtone Monels next. I was surprised to find that Newtone makes Monels and am looking forward to trying them.

Dadzmad 05-21-2021 11:48 PM

I've settled on Retro Monel 13/s for my Kingpin seems like the small amount of extra mass helps get the most from the plywood body

Ray175 05-22-2021 10:52 AM

From my 1961 ES-175D I want pure “thunk”. Never less than 13s and currently strung with Pyramid Gold flatwound 14s that must be 18 months old. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but suits me fine

ArchtopLover 05-25-2021 02:21 PM

I just put a new set of D'Addario PB .012's on my recently acquired '47 Gibson L-7, acoustic only, no electronics. They sound amazing. I've tried 80/20 bronze and like the extra brightness, but I bought a 10 pc. box of the PB's, so gota use these up first. She had some old nickel flatwounds on her when I unboxed, yuk, very dull sounding.

Interestingly, I have a 1946 Gibson L-50 that really likes lighter gauge strings. When I got it, it had a set of 0.010's (spider webs), and it really played well with these super light strings, very resonant and responsive. Since I am not comfortable playing with such light strings, I put a set of D'Addario EJ13 bronze 80/20 custom lights, 0.011's - 0.052. Surprisingly, this did not improve the tone, just the contrary, the slight increase in tension seemed to quiet the guitar somewhat, kinda difficult to explain, but generally my other archtops tend respond better to slightly heavier strings, but not in this case.

kayakman 05-26-2021 09:56 AM

String Guage
 
Here`s on for Mr De Rosa,what gauge strings do you think Django used?

mr. beaumont 05-26-2021 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayakman (Post 6726220)
Here`s on for Mr De Rosa,what gauge strings do you think Django used?

Most likely .010's or .011's.

Those guitars use very light strings.

kayakman 05-26-2021 10:41 AM

string gauge
 
Currently I have 13`s on my 38 L5, would 12`s be an acceptable option?

mr. beaumont 05-26-2021 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayakman (Post 6726258)
Currently I have 13`s on my 38 L5, would 12`s be an acceptable option?

I'd at least give it a go. I had a 30's style L5 copy for a while (Loar 600) and it sounded better with .012s than it did with .013s.

kayakman 05-27-2021 07:54 AM

string gauge
 
I will give it a try.thanks sir.

Loren Tilley 05-31-2021 07:44 PM

Keeping with most of the responses, I use the Pearse New Mediums, which are basically the slightly heavier E and B strings and like a set of light string otherwise: https://www.juststrings.com/jps-310n...a&kw=jps-310nm

I really hate phosphor bronze on an archtop for some reason. Monel or 80/20 sound more right to me.

kayakman 06-21-2021 09:17 AM

string gauge
 
Put the Martin Reto 12s on my L5, nice strings,nice sound,thanks for your help,.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:57 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum

vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=