#1
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To Acoustic Archtop Players - Strings query
Hi, I have three lovely archtops - - a Harmony Monterey, an Eastman AR805, and a Gibson L-4 ('34). all of them are rather underused but I've just realised that I haven't given them new strings for some months.
I started using nickel wound strings because my first archtop had a floating pick-up, but now all are strictly acoustic. However, over the last year or so, I have discovered that I really prefer nickel wound strings on my F5 Mandolin, so I think I'll stay with nickel(ish) strings on my archtops. I prefer medium gauge strings - (12 or 13 to 56), so, I could get basic D'addario EJ22s or Dunlop performance - or the fancy D'addario "Nickel Bronze" for 150% of the price. I'd be interested in your comments/recommendations. Thanks
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
#2
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I tried the D'Addario Nickel Bronze on my '37 L7. I prefer them to Phosphor Bronze because they are a bit mellower sounding and don't have the "zing" that PB can have when new, and doesn't seem to suit the L7 very well.
I have .12-.53s on right now, but I think they're a bit light for the guitar. Good tone, but lacking some oomph. Next re-string I'm going to get a set of NB in .13-.56 which I think will give the guitar a little more punch and volume. |
#3
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On a purely acoustic archtop, I like 80/20's
Gotta play them in, they start off ungodly bright, but then after 10 good hours or so they warm up in a way PB never does. |
#4
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Andy, I have found that on my acoustic archtops with magnetic floating pickups, I prefer Thomastik-Infeld BeBop .013s. On acoustic archtops with no floating magnetic pickup I like either Martin Retros (Monel) or D’Addario or Martin 80/20s (as Jeff suggested after they lose their initial sizzle).
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A bunch of nice archtops, flattops, a gypsy & nylon strings… |
#5
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I liked the Newtone archtop double-wrapped nickel 13's on my Eastman (essentially an AR805 converted from an MDC805). I would think those are easier to come by in your neck of the globe. However, last few string changes I've been using the Martin retro monel 13's and I like them even better. More volume and clarity. I just bought a set of Curt Mangan monel 13's to try next.
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#6
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Another vote for the Martin Monel MM13's...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#7
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I have medium gauge nickel flat wounds on my 60's Kay Mercury. It's been a while since I put them on so I can't remember the brand.
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=================================== '07 Gibson J-45 '68 Reissue (Fuller's) '18 Martin 00-18 '18 Martin GP-28E '65 Epiphone Zenith archtop |
#8
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D’Addario Chromes on both of my Triggs for a nice, warm tone.
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Glen |
#9
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Are those of you suggesting flats talking about on a strictly acoustic?
I'm with the others with either 80/20 bronze or monel. Either is good, both need to be played in. The phosphor bronze really does not do it for me on an archtop.
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1929 Gibson L-5 1934 Martin 000-18 1938 Gibson es-150 2012 AJL XO 2015 Yohan Cholet Modele Jazz 2018 Trenier Custom Archtop 2020 Fraulini Nick Lucas |
#10
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RE the 80/20’s: After the initial zing is gone, do they last a pretty good while like that, or do they keep deteriorating and “die” soon after.
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#11
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I play Martin Lifespan 2.0 80/20s which deteriorate from their day 1 brilliance, and maintain their sound for 6+ weeks for me before I notice any further deterioration.
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A bunch of nice archtops, flattops, a gypsy & nylon strings… |
#12
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Monels would have been strung on that '34 roundhole L-4 at the factory, for what it's worth. I love them on all old Gibsons, archtop or flattop.
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Neal A few nice ones, a few beaters, and a few I should probably sell... |
#13
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I love Thomastik flats on my humble Godin 5th Ave not particularly loud but sound sweet for late night playing and if I want volume I stuck a Kent Armstrong pickup on the neck, sorted!
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#14
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Flatwounds or Martin Retros. Retros are better all-arounders, but flatwounds definitely have their place.
I'm not crazy about D'Addario Chromes, but they definitely have their fans out there. |
#15
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D’Addario EHR350
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"I know in the morning that it's gonna be good, when I stick out my elbows and they don't bump wood." - Bill Kirchen |