What strings for a 1946 Gibson L-5?

[Steve Z]

Here's a link to another thread discussing bronze/brass strings from Jan 2022. The link goes right to Jonathan Stout's post on his string choice. Jonathan definitely has a great tone on his vintage L5... perhaps give his preferred strings a try.

Bronze/Brass strings and the acoustic archtop

[Woody Sound]

I totally agree. I've also been disappointed by "hybrid" acoustic/electric strings. Manufacturers seem to focus too much on marketing hybrid alloys like monel, nickel-plated bronze, and nickel/bronze. These materials often compromise acoustic tone significantly.

I remember trying the DR Zebras, which had two different alloys wound side-by-side, a while back, but at this point I don't really remember how they sounded. Unfortunately (or not) they stopped making them.

[RJVB]

Unfortunately (or not) they stopped making them.

IIRC I brought them up some time ago and feedback wasn't exactly glowing.

You can achieve a similar effect with double-wounds and when I asked Newtone about it a few years ago they were able and willing to make hybrid ones combining one of their ferromagnetic wrap wire with brass or PB, IIRC without extra cost.