Gold Tone PBR Paul Beard Signature Series roundneck resonator

[bil40272]

I just purchased my first resonator, and it is in desperate need of new strings.
I was not able to find much info from the Gold Tone sight other than the gauge.
Any suggestions on Brand and Material.
Im normally a Phosphor Bronze fan, but i feel that the 80/20s might be the way to go.

Thanks

Bill

[Mandobart]

I have the same guitar. I had them (Gold Tone) set it up for 13's. I don't know what brand/alloy strings it came with. A tried a set of Martin Retro monel which sounded fine. Next set was Ernie Ball aluminum bronze which are still on now. I like them better than the monels, a little more vintage "twangy" sound.

I don't play much slide yet, flat picking and fingerstyle.

[yaharadelta]

Coincidentally, I just picked up a used Goldtone PBR that badly needed new strings. Just this morning I put some D'Addario EJ42 Resophonic strings on it, it now sounds great. The EJ42's are a 16-56 gauge set, the two unwound strings are 16 and 18. the action was set low enough to make fretting in standard tuning easy, the thicker gauge, at least for me doesn't seem to make it difficult to play fingerstyle. Sounds really good in open D or G with a slide. It's going to be fun to get acquainted with this one.

[Br1ck]

I have the square neck version and justa use phosphor bronze set D'Addiario makes for them. A Gold Tone Beard model is a nice guitar.

[rsmillbern]

I don't have the PBR, but I like the John Pearse #790NR set on my round neck.
It is a biscuit cone though, so might be different...

I found the EJ42s to be a wee bit to heavy on the high strings, but I use them on the squareneck (spider cone)

[MC5C]

I have a Goldtone PDR-CA, which is a cutaway roundneck solid mahogany. Any acoustic set of lights is great, .012 - .054 ish, for any kind of playing in normal spanish guitar tuning. If you tune down to a D-D tuning, either open D or low bass open G, then raising the gauge on the strings you down-tune is pretty common, so high D gets a .016 and low D gets a .056. You don't need a lot of string on these, they are very responsive. Heavy strings kind of mute them a bit, to me. Maybe as loud but less sustain, more percussive. Which some people want!

[bil40272]

Some really good info.
because work has been so crazy, i haven't had the time to mess with my new reso.
I will be trying some standard PB lights on it first and experiment after that.
Once again, thanks for the info.

Bill

[Bluenose]

I recently bought a Gretsch Alligator roundneck and I find light strings work well. I am able to tune this guitar up to an open E and open A (as opposed to open D and G) which is a treat. I wouldn't try this with heavier strings because the extra tension might damage the cone. I also removed the bridge guard which helps with palm muting.

[rockabilly69]

Originally Posted by Twiddle Dee

I recently bought a Gretsch Alligator roundneck and I find light strings work well. I am able to tune this guitar up to an open E and open A (as opposed to open D and G) which is a treat. I wouldn't try this with heavier strings because the extra tension might damage the cone. I also removed the bridge guard which helps with palm muting.

Palm muting with the cover strap off can ruin the cone.

[Wardo]

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

Palm muting with the cover strap off can ruin the cone.

Good point.

[Rogerblair]

I love the Martin Retro (Monel) strings on a Paul Beard Gold Tone. Since it’s a round neck, I’d suggest the light gauge…12-54 set.

Roger

[Bluenose]

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

Palm muting with the cover strap off can ruin the cone.

Ah no way Dude really? Well I'm 68 now and I don't buy green bananas and I don't worry too much about my cone but hey thanks for your heartfelt concern, I'm touched. Lol

[L20A]

I normally use Phosphor Bronze strings on mine but I change it up once in a while the Martin Retro strings.
Being a 12 fret, I like the sound and feel of Medium Gauge Strings on it.