What strings on acoustic guitar for jazz sound?

[Guido_59]

Hello from Italy
I am a acoustic guitar player and actually have a Yamhaha FS-830 acoustic body shape 000
Common acoustic string are too bright for jazz.
What string can I use ?
- flattops?
- flatwound like D’Addario chrone or Thomastik swing
- Thomastik Bebop that are roundwound but have jazzy sound

Have you some suggests ?
Thanks in advance for any help

Guido

[Hammertone]

In the world of acoustic PB or brass strings, there are several options:
You're in Italy, so get some Italian strings, sheesh!

-https://www.gallistrings.com/en/strings/acoustic/ajf-jazz-flat-acoustic
-https://www.dogalstrings.it/en/nightclub

Or, for far less $$:
-https://www.daddario.com/en-ca/collections/acoustic-guitar-strings-flat-tops-phosphor-bronze
-https://www.magmastrings.com/eng/1_3_9_flat.html

[Guido_59]

Good suggest Hammertone, thanks.
For price if you look to Galli string they have a price like Thomastik ( 22-25€)but Dogal is very expensive about 45€ !
My guitar Yamaha fs830 is a folk guitar 000 body
For a private use not professional, strings cost 45€ are exaggerate , for me .

[Guido_59]

Good suggest Hammertone, thanks.
For price if you look to Galli string they have a price like Thomastik ( 22-25€)but Dogal is very expensive about 45€ !
My guitar Yamaha fs830 is a folk guitar 000 body
For a private use not professional, strings cost 45€ are exaggerate , for me .

[Jx30510]

Try Monel strings. They're a bit darker, softer attack. a bit more thump.
Never tried flats on a flat top, but for some reason always thought they're not suited for this type of guitar.
Maybe I'm wrong. Just try.

[Guido_59]

Monel string like Martin retro or Pyramid are used to have a vintage sound on folk guitar
Surely give best results on some type of guitar.
Unique doubt is their sound.
In some video on YouTube with good audio quality sound of Monel seems not so darker .
Seems better other acoustic string like Thomastik spectrum or plectrum
Elixir polyweb should be other alternative
Jazz string should be ideal for this I look to Thomastik .
Galli it’s ok but Dogal are very too much expensive for home use

[AllanAllen]

I have GHS guitar boomers (Electric guitar strings) on my acoustic archtop. I just don't like bronze strings they stain my fingers black.

Also, check out the Kenny Burrell album Moon and Sand, he used a flat top acoustic on it.

[Guido_59]

Thanks for suggest
Maybe I don’t temper well, but in Moon and sand ( studio) Burrell didn’t use a classical guitar with nylon string ?
I absolutely listen this album after many many time
GHS boomer elettric string doesn’t have a too bright sound on acoustic ?

[AllanAllen]

Thanks for suggest
GHS boomer elettric string doesn’t have a too bright sound on acoustic ?

Well, acoustic jazz guitar is bright, fat dark cliche jazz tone is electric guitar. This video is a good example of both side by side.

[nyc chaz]

If you decide to use roundwounds,you might consider Newtone Archtop strings.They are like the Thomastik Bebops but i like their sound and feel more than the Bebops.

[mr. beaumont]

I've tried flatwounds on a flat top...not my jam. Got very "nasal" sounding.

Right now I'm using monels on my all mahogany Martin. Worth a shot, strings are pretty cheap.

[Guido_59]

Interesting!
I’ll be happy to listen this jam !

[StefanoGhirardo]

Ciao Guido,
I tried putting Thomastik Swing 12s on an old Ibanez acoustic: the sound was a bit sterile, playable, but not what I was looking for. The concept of jazz sound is quite broad and also depends on taste: I'm also pursuing a particular acoustic sound (the one achieved by Vironas Ntolas with a small, handcrafted acoustic that I don't believe has flat strings), and it's probably a sound that some people consider not very jazzy. Regarding the strings, however, I think it's worth trying them on the guitar: there's an alchemy between strings and guitars that isn't always predictable.

[mr. beaumont]

Ciao Guido,
I tried putting Thomastik Swing 12s on an old Ibanez acoustic: the sound was a bit sterile, playable, but not what I was looking for. The concept of jazz sound is quite broad and also depends on taste: I'm also pursuing a particular acoustic sound (the one achieved by Vironas Ntolas with a small, handcrafted acoustic that I don't believe has flat strings), and it's probably a sound that some people consider not very jazzy. Regarding the strings, however, I think it's worth trying them on the guitar: there's an alchemy between strings and guitars that isn't always predictable.

This guy? Man, this sounds wonderful.

Im throwing a wild guess out there, but I bet he's using silk and steel strings. Low tension for what appears to be a very old instrument

[deacon Mark]

I don't like bronze strings they don't last and too jangly. I use Pyramid Monel for guitars I generally play acoustic only. I use Thomastiks bebop round wounds for both acoustic and electric. The GHS Boomers are not a bad choice either, my goal is generally have ones that have round inside core. Flat wounds to me only have a place on ces built in guitars or if recording direct and you want absolutely no finger noise.

[AllanAllen]

What does CES built in mean?

[Peter C]

This guy? Man, this sounds wonderful.

Absolutely beautiful playing!

@Guido_59: "not my jam" = me no likey, lol.

[deacon Mark]

What does CES built in mean?

Super 400ces, or L5ces
The ces standards for Cutaway Electric Spanish Guitar. Thus, the pickups are cut and set in the top of the guitar, as opposed an acoustic archtop with floating pickup like and old Dearmond on it or a Johnny Smith.

[Guido_59]

Thanks all for suggest
I’ll go to my luthier for setup and maybe some phrase of bridge and nut and pins.
I will ask him for a suggest

Vironas Ntolas : wow I like his sound and technique .

[Woodstove]

Dogal Nightclub R39
Flatwounds for acoustic guitar
Superb- check
Italian- check
Expensive- check
Worth it- absolutely

[Guido_59]

Dogal Nightclub R39
Flatwounds for acoustic guitar
Superb- check
Italian- check
Expensive- check
Worth it- absolutely

Good suggest
Nightclub R39 are most nasal sound than V24 and V25
do you think are a good choice for my acoustic folk Yamaha fs830 000 body shape, solid spruce top , laminated rosewood back and side?
Their sound will not be too nasal ?
Why do you not suggest V24 or V25?
Sure their price is more high , very expensive
I think about this !

[Mick-7]

I'm throwing a wild guess out there, but I bet he (Vironas Ntolas) is using sing silk and steel strings. Low tension for what appears to be a very old instrument

Maybe? - 11-47 Light Gauge 6-Strings, Silk & Steel Acoustic Guitar Strings | EJ40 | D'Addario

Another possibility: 11-45 Medium Gauge Gypsy Jazz Acoustic Guitar Strings, Ball End | EJ83M | D'Addario

[Guido_59]

Both two set of strings ( cause material ) seems to be on the brilliant side of sound , or it’s only my wrong impression ?

[Mick-7]

Both two set of strings ( cause material ) seems to be on the brilliant side of sound , or it’s only my wrong impression ?

The silk and steel strings are not bright, not sure about the gypsy jazz strings, I have not used them.

[Peter C]

I would try D'Addario Flat Tops, maybe Thomastik-Infeld Plectrums ....

Martin Silk and Steel are a bit on the bright side (troppo brillante?), and I believe only available in one (light) gauge. They're still nice, however, especially for fingerpicking.

I found this video interesting: