Archtop Acoustic Strings; How do they work?

[Old Feller]

Recently, I purchased my first acoustic archtop (Eastman AR805), and I’d like the forum’s collective wisdom on string choices for the instrument.

The strings currently on it (D'Addario acoustic lights), are a bit too bright for my taste. The string squeak is also more prominent than I’d like.

I don’t want to go with flatwounds, but I am looking to take a little of the edge off while possibly getting more low end from on the basses.

If you own an acoustic archtops, I’m bracing for you to drop some knowledge on me.

[bkdavidson]

I like the D'Addario Flat-tops. They're groundwound acoustic strings.

[mr. beaumont]

For the most part--I use flatwounds on an instrument that will be used primarily as an electric guitar.

Roundwounds on acoustic instruments. Yes, they're bright, that's how they sound...Archtops got some "CUT" to 'em.

Bryan's reccomendation might be worth looking into if you don't like the sound now.

[cosmic gumbo]

Heavier strings will improve things somewhat.

[riovine]

I always recommend Elixirs for someone who is wanting to take some of the squeak out of roundwounds but don't want to go the flatwound route.

[tonedeaf]

I own an Eastman 805 and it is a "bright" sounding guitar anyway to slice it. I am using TI medium flats -- it helps. I have also tried a bunch of picks and find the Dunlop 206 helps a lot to mellow out the tone.

[82Benedetto]

I really like heavy acoustic strings on archtops. Those, or flatwounds. I typically don't like rounds.

[Old Feller]

Great suggestions from all. Thanks. I am going to buy each; D'Addario Flat-tops, Elixirs and TI's.

I'd try some heavier strings but, I'm confident enough in my manliness to admit this, my hands don't do well them.

Now, I'm off to play with my Easy-Bake oven.

[SamBooka]

I noticed lots of high end archtops at the montreal guitar show use pure nickle roundwounds.
I use Newtone strings on my Epi EmpReg. They are quite bright and stay that way for months. 2 months later they are starting to break in.
Newtone are too bright for my ES165. I use TI roundwounds (14s).

A little FingerEase helps.

[Wes'MusicBox]

I would say Thomastik Infeld "bebop" series are the best round wound string for archtop guitars I would try getting like 13 gauge. They have a very full body with enough bright tone to cut through a band. They also really bring out a lot of the acoustic tone in the guitar.

[kamlapati]

I use GHS medium acoustic strings on my L-5's and Grimes Montreux. I really need the large mass (.013 - .056 if I recall) to move the wood and get the volume and tone I like.

I use two different versions. The Vintage Bronze are an 85/15 alloy and are a little warmer and sound great on my brighter guitars (L-5). The Bright Bronze are 80/20 and sound great on my warmer Grimes. BTW, they both sound really good through the floating PU as well.

I had the recent experience of running out of my favorite strings, so I tried some D'Addario Phosphor Bronze Mediums. They were definitely unpleasantly jangly, but worst of all, they sounded absolutely terrible through the pickup. I use D'Addario on some of my other guitars and I think the quality is good, so this is just a problem of the strings not working for the sound I have in my head. I have many guitars, and I use many different kinds of strings. You've really got to shop around and try different styles, sizes, alloys, etc. It really makes a difference.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

Agreed, archtops played acoustically need to have their tops driven to sound their best. But what does this: the heavier gauge or the greater string tension? I'm asking this because T-I sets are known for having less tension in their bass strings, sort of a heavy-top, light-bottom arrangement.

[Old Feller]

^
That's a good question.

[kamlapati]

It's definitely the size of the string, not the tension, that moves the wood.

The tension effects the fundamental note of course, but the volume is simply a conservation of momentum problem, mv = mv, the momentum of the moving string is transferred to the top. Tension is not in the equation.

Just in case you don't trust theory, the idea has been verified by many guitarists: the big strings are just louder acoustically. It's easy to hear. It's not one of those things that you're not sure about.

[cosmic gumbo]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

Agreed, archtops played acoustically need to have their tops driven to sound their best. But what does this: the heavier gauge or the greater string tension? I'm asking this because T-I sets are known for having less tension in their bass strings, sort of a heavy-top, light-bottom arrangement.

I guess if tension related to volume, tuning up or down a step would make the volume louder or softer.

[SamBooka]

Originally Posted by kamlapati

It's definitely the size of the string, not the tension, that moves the wood.

More accurately the mass of the string.
One thing people dont bring up (or is it just me) heavier strings like heavier picks.

[ES125er]

So the low E string is the loudest string, while the high E is the quietest?

[SamBooka]

Originally Posted by ES125er

So the low E string is the loudest string, while the high E is the quietest?

Not even close ..

[ES125er]

Originally Posted by SamBooka

Not even close ..

Isn't the high E the lightest string, though? I don't get how mass could be the main control on volume, and yet there wouldn't be a volume imbalance between the low and high strings.

What am I overlooking/misunderstanding?

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

As the person who asked the question, I'm even more confused

[SamBooka]

Sorry.. busy weekend. I will try to explain better at lunch time.
In the mean time, think of this. A 15W guitar amp vs a 15 Bass amp.