Acoustic archtop - “smooth” not flat wound strings?

**Bill C** · 05-16-2026, 12:18 PM

Hi all

I’m currently using TI Plectrum 11’s on my 24.75 scale acoustic archtop. The G, D and A strings are supposedly “flat wound” but they feel more like half rounds to me, which I like a lot - I just don’t get on with true flat wounds at all. The sound is a bit thin though and I’d like to be able to dig in a bit more with the pick. The Plectrum 12’s only have the G “flat wound” - I’ve tried them and didn’t like them on this guitar, too roundwound! I tried the Galli bronze flats in 12’s which, predictably were “too flat wound”!

I’m thinking of trying these …

Pyramid PR327 Roundcore Polished Set – Thomann UK

Hs anyone tried these, or can recommend any other half/polished/groundwounds I might try in 12s for an acoustic archtop?

Many thanks! Bill

**GuyBoden** · 05-16-2026, 12:46 PM

If you're playing acoustically, an acoustic archtop sounds better with Bronze strings in my opinion.

Phosphor Bronze or 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings.

Bronze Strings do work with a magnetic pickup, because they have a steel core.

But yes, they will squeak.

**Hammertone** · 05-16-2026, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by Bill C

...I’m thinking of trying these …
Pyramid PR327 Roundcore Polished Set – Thomann UK
Hs anyone tried these, or can recommend any other half/polished/groundwounds I might try in 12s for an acoustic archtop?
Many thanks! Bill

The Pyramid polished rounds are maybe 5% smoother than the non-polished ones. The are very much roundwounds.

There are a few string sets worth trying, and none of them are expensive. Lots of conflicting opinions about them, so, why not just test them all out?
-D'Addario half-rounds
-GHS and/or Labella rollerwounds
-GHS groundwounds

**58flame** · 05-16-2026, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Bill C

Hi all

I’m currently using TI Plectrum 11’s on my 24.75 scale acoustic archtop. The G, D and A strings are supposedly “flat wound” but they feel more like half rounds to me, which I like a lot - I just don’t get on with true flat wounds at all. The sound is a bit thin though and I’d like to be able to dig in a bit more with the pick. The Plectrum 12’s only have the G “flat wound” - I’ve tried them and didn’t like them on this guitar, too roundwound! I tried the Galli bronze flats in 12’s which, predictably were “too flat wound”!

I’m thinking of trying these …

Pyramid PR327 Roundcore Polished Set – Thomann UK

Hs anyone tried these, or can recommend any other half/polished/groundwounds I might try in 12s for an acoustic archtop?

Many thanks! Bill

Flats sound "thin"? I don't know what that means, but I get a thicker, meatier sound out of flats. All brands of flats sound slightly different. I hear round wound strings as brilliant, brash, and lacking in the bass as a result of the overabundance of treble. Flats are more balanced to my ears.

**Bob_Ross** · 05-16-2026, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by Hammertone

-D'Addario half-rounds

Came in to post ^^^this.
Back when I had a Gibson ES-345TD -- which admittedly was over 45 years ago -- those were my strings of choice.
Nowadays I'm not really into the "hybrid" approach to guitar strings; I have flatwounds on my archtop, nickel/steel roundwounds on my solidbody, and bronzewounds on my flattop acoustic.
But some folks really like splitting the difference, and a halfround string just might be the ticket. They're cheap, try 'em on for size.

**Cunamara** · 05-16-2026, 09:31 PM

I like SIT roundwound strings and have used them for a number of years, although I have recently branched out to use other brands- mixing and matching with particular guitars. My archtops have been very enjoyable with John Pearce Jazz roundwound 12s. My GB10 has sounded good with Chromes, as has one of my Teles, and generally speaking I do not like flatwounds. Anyway, not germaine to the topic.

A few years ago, maybe back during the pandemic even, I tried the SIT "Silencers" semi-flat wounds because I really like their round rounds and thought the semi-flats might be good on the archtops. I found them to be rougher and noisier than their roundwounds, so I would not recommend those. Not helpful towards your goal perhaps, but might help you avoid a not so good guitar string.

**Bill C** · 05-17-2026, 02:57 AM

Originally Posted by GuyBoden

If you're playing acoustically, an acoustic archtop sounds better with Bronze strings in my opinion.

Phosphor Bronze or 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings.

Bronze Strings do work with a magnetic pickup, because they have a steel core.

But yes, they will squeak.

I agree Guy, to my ears acoustic” strings sound better on an acoustic archtop, and I’m looking for minimal squeak, but in a heavier acoustic string than the Plectrum 11s, which don’t seem to “drive the top” optimally.

**Bill C** · 05-17-2026, 03:05 AM

Originally Posted by 58flame

Flats sound "thin"? I don't know what that means, but I get a thicker, meatier sound out of flats. All brands of flats sound slightly different. I hear round wound strings as brilliant, brash, and lacking in the bass as a result of the overabundance of treble. Flats are more balanced to my ears.

I mean that the Plectrum 11’s lack bass/fullness of sound on my guitar - the G, D and A in this set are specified as flat wound by TI, but they feel more like half rounds to me. I like the feel of the strings but I think something similar but heavier would be an improvement.

**GuyBoden** · 05-17-2026, 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by Bill C

I agree Guy, to my ears acoustic” strings sound better on an acoustic archtop, and I’m looking for minimal squeak, but in a heavier acoustic string than the Plectrum 11s, which don’t seem to “drive the top” optimally.

Yes, those "TI Plectrum 11’s" on a 24.75 scale, probably won't have enough tension to drive an acoustic top.

So, if you're playing acoustically on a 24.75 inch scale acoustic archtop, I'd recommend getting the heaviest Bronze strings available. D'Addario EJ18 are heavy gauge bronze 14-18-27-39-49-59

EJ18 Phosphor Bronze | Acoustic Guitar Strings | D'Addario

Buy from a reputable seller, unfortunately there are fake strings being sold.

These:

**Bill C** · 05-17-2026, 03:21 PM

Thanks for this Guy - will check these out.

**gitman** · 05-18-2026, 04:04 AM

Luck came my way and I am the happy owner of a beautiful Elferink Excalibur model, an X—braced non-cutaway 17“ tone monster. After some trial and error I have settled on D‘Addario Bronze flats 13-56 and all is good now. The guitar has great sustain all across the board, is very balanced+responsive and since I am not a fan of swirly overtones and use this guitar primarily for fingerstyle Plus plectrum playing in low volume settings the softer/rounder sound (and the almost total absence of fingernoise !)and smooth feel of these semi-flatwound strings is just right for me. Were I to use it in a swing band with drums and horns I‘d switch to normal bronze roundwounds — fingernoise is not an issue in that situation. I also don‘t have to „dig in“ for tone/volume/amplitude - this guitar gives up the goods with much less effort that most vintage archtops I have tried in the past. Give these strings a try !