String suggestions for Acoustic Archtop

[Quickstep192]

I got my first Archtop and I'm looking forward to experimenting with strings at some point. I just love tinkering.

Any suggestions for strings for acoustic play? You know, bright but not brash, mellow, but not dull? Good sustain.

It would be nice to have a starting point.

[Steve DeRosa]

Start with a set of MM13 Martin Retro Monels - a modern-day iteration (lighter gauge/improved manufacturing techniques) of the strings favored by the Big Band-era compers - and work from there...

[Mandobart]

What guitar are you talking about? Acoustic? Acoustic/electric? I've liked Newtones, Martin retro monels, Ernie Ball aluminum bronze and Curt Mangan round core monels all in medium gage (13's) for my Eastman archtop.

[Rob W]

I like the Thomastik Swings. They’re a bit expensive but I really don’t change arch top strings that often.

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by Quickstep192

I got my first Archtop and I'm looking forward to experimenting with strings at some point. I just love tinkering.

Any suggestions for strings for acoustic play? You know, bright but not brash, mellow, but not dull? Good sustain.

It would be nice to have a starting point.

Round wound strings will ring longer than flat wounds will, and being that it's acoustic I'll assume you're not looking for that typical magnetic archtop jazz tone.

Here's my archtop with D'Addario NB (nickel-bronze) light gauge (.012-.053) to give you a vague idea of what might be expected. The first video is from the day I put them on, 12/7/22 and the second is from 12/27/22. I've been playing it almost daily since.





Your mileage will vary, but it's indicative of how lively they're capable of being.

Best,
Howard Emerson

[Mike12]

Originally Posted by Mandobart

What guitar are you talking about? Acoustic? Acoustic/electric? I've liked Newtones, Martin retro monels, Ernie Ball aluminum bronze and Curt Mangan round core monels all in medium gage (13's) for my Eastman archtop.

Hi Mandobart, I have a medium set of Retro's but find the wrap does not reach the tuner on my Loar700. Is it ok to wrap the core wire around the tuner even though the wrap does not. It does however pass over the nut. Thank you, Mike

PLEASE IGNORE THIS POST. I HAVE MEASURED THE RETRO STRINGS AND THEY ARE LONG ENOUGH FOR THIS GUITAR.

Sorry if I have misled anyone. Mike

[rollypolly]

Mine came with flat wounds and I have really liked the tone from day one. It’s jazzier for sure. I’m gonna try monels soon.

[gregc]

I’m a fan of TI flat wounds on big box archtops. I have tried the nickel-bronze DAs on my parlor and do enjoy the tones. They last a pretty long time too. I might have to try them on the archtop. The TI flat wounds seem to last forever.

[rockabilly69]

Originally Posted by Howard Emerson

Round wound strings will ring longer than flat wounds will, and being that it's acoustic I'll assume you're not looking for that typical magnetic archtop jazz tone.

Here's my archtop with D'Addario NB (nickel-bronze) light gauge (.012-.053)...

I've been using this exact set of strings on my 2001 Nick Lucas Reissue, they sound great acoustic, and they play well with magnetic pickups. I really liked them, so I just bought two more sets to try on my 1986 Guild X160 archtop.