Archtop string gauge
Currently I have 13`s on my 38 L5, anyone using 12`s on there accoustic archtop?? Thanks Brian.
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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. |
strings
Good idea. thank you sir, I will give it a go....
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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 |
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Are you getting the"punch" out of the 12`s?
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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.
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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. |
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.....
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For me, 12s work great on my Eastman archtop. I couple of examples: Hope this is helpful! :) - Glenn |
I use Thomastik Jazz Swing strings 13-53 on my L-5. I love the feel, sound, and longevity of these strings.
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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. |
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Are the Ernie Ball`s round wound?
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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) |
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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 |
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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. |
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
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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
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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. |
String Guage
Here`s on for Mr De Rosa,what gauge strings do you think Django used?
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Those guitars use very light strings. |
string gauge
Currently I have 13`s on my 38 L5, would 12`s be an acceptable option?
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string gauge
I will give it a try.thanks sir.
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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. |
string gauge
Put the Martin Reto 12s on my L5, nice strings,nice sound,thanks for your help,.
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