Acoustic Archtop Guitar Strings

**Meggy** · 10-22-2010, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by goshawk

On my 17" archtop, I find flatwounds too dull, whether I was playing acoustically or electrically, and traditional acoustic strings didn't deliver the electric sound I wanted.

I had much better luck with the Newtone Archtop strings (double wound nickel on a round core) and also with the D'Addario half-rounds.

I've had these on my archtop (the 13-56 set) and agree they are an excellent choice. I think they also make a double wound phosphor-bronze set which might be an even better option for a pure acoustic archtop.

**Carpal55** · 10-22-2010, 04:29 PM

When I use my archtop unamplified I never use a pick and probably due to that have been in love with the Silk n Steels for about 20 years now. I just love how they feel under my fingers and if I feel good I play good. Downside is they don't project very well but when I'm in that kind of mood I'm usually alone or in a quiet setting so it's not a problem for me...

**gianluca** · 10-25-2010, 05:04 AM

following tha kamlapati suggestion, a few days ago I strung my acoustic the loar with the GHS vintage bronze 013-056 and I find them very nice.
about the other suggestions in this thread I should be glad if you write exactly which string set of phosphor/bronze or silk&steel are you using, if you suggest it, and on which guitar do you use it.

[the maximum would be if you could post a little mp3 of you tone with that strings...]

**brad4d8** · 10-25-2010, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by gianluca

I should be glad if you write exactly which string set of phosphor/bronze or silk&steel are you using, if you suggest it, and on which guitar do you use it.

I generally use D'Addario Phosphor Bronze on all my acoustic guitars, although I'm still experimenting on the archtops and try others occasionally. Right now I have EJ18 (14-59) on the artist award, probably 12s on the Metro B. I have one electric archtop, and I think I have D'Addario chromes, probably 11s, on it. I do have a GHS set with a .015 first, haven't tried them yet.
Brad

**Geert** · 10-25-2010, 01:46 PM

My The Loar LH-600 is currently strung with a set of Dunlop phosfor bronze strings (012).

Allthough I like how this set sounds I'm planning on trying a set of 013's next.

**spiral** · 10-25-2010, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

I find bronze strings too "jangly" -- maybe for that folkie flattop sound. I'm a flatwound junkie; some people like them, some don't. I think your first step is to decide if they work for you and your dog house, then narrow it down from there.

I would agree with this for archtops though i have found the webbing on Elixirs deadens them enough to give a good sound w/ Phosphor Bronze.

I want to put a vote in for Ernie Ball Coated Electric (Not Even Slinky). They are coated with an enamel so they last a long time, and have a very warm sound that is somewhere between nickel strings and bronze strings. They are roundwound so they have good clarity but i think the coating tames some of the overzealous overtones you would normally get with fresh strings. Added bonus: they work with magnetic pickups. I've become a big fan.

The gauge is close to the medium / 13 Chromes. So the heaviest E is the same but then each subsequent string is .001" less than the Chrome equivalent. Also, since they are electric strings they are a little less brutal (ie. have less tension) to play than acoustic strings.

They are worth trying once.

**Marty Grass** · 01-16-2012, 06:58 PM

What would phos-bronze strings sound like on a full sized archtop? I've never done that before and have used steel flatwounds for the most part.

How would the acoustic strings sound without amplification compared to an average flattop? How well will a humbucking pickup work with those strings?

Thanks.

**kamlapati** · 01-16-2012, 10:54 PM

Nothing but acoustic strings, either PB or 85/15 on my archtops, but that's what they were designed for. Might be different on an L-5CES or 175 or some such.

So, Jeff's question: what kind of guitar?

**Marty Grass** · 01-17-2012, 10:10 AM

17" spruce top, maple sides and back, 3" depth, maple neck, ebony board.

**Marty Grass** · 01-17-2012, 01:46 PM

I ordered a set of GHS White Bronze 12-54s. These are noteworthy strings being made of alloy 52. I have been using GHS Brite Flats on it, which are made of the same substance.

The pickups do well with alloy 52 because it is completely ferromagnetic. It is roughly 50% nickel and 50% iron. I don't know why they call these strings White Bronze. Bronze is copper and tin!!!!

Anyway, the round wound 12-54 alloy 52 strings should amplify superbly. I'll report how they sound acoustically.

**mr. beaumont** · 01-17-2012, 02:17 PM

Report back, will ya? I've heard good things about the White Bronze strings but haven't tried them out yet...

I'm hoping you're in for a treat.

**hot ford coupe** · 01-17-2012, 02:18 PM

I used to use the GHS white bronze strings. They're designed for players who like to get the acoustic sound that bronze provides but still be able to use a pickup when you're not playing acoustically which the ferro magnetic character provide. That way you don't need one guitar for acoustic use and one for electric use. It's more of a descriptive thing like white lightning. There's no lightning in it but when you drink it, it makes you feel like you've been hit by lightning.

**Marty Grass** · 01-17-2012, 02:25 PM

Yeah, and the strings aren't white either. And really they aren't exactly strings even, more like cables.

Anyhoo, I'll report back.

**kamlapati** · 01-17-2012, 03:00 PM

I have GHS WHite Bronze on my L-5CN and they are still an acoustic compromise. I prefer the acoustic sound of Vintage Bronze (85/15), but the White Bronze have better balanced volume through the PU (no weak G string).

**TPMCD** · 09-27-2012, 05:54 PM

Jeff -

Regarding your post below...I've got bronze strings (80/20) on my Harmony Sovereign, and I was thinking of putting in a Dearmond 210 pickup in it (ala Lighting Hopkins, etc.).

I've been doing some research on the net, including your post, and so I'm thinking I should take the bronze strings off and put on some "electrics" if I want to get the most output out of the pickup.

I'm assuming you've done this before (bronze strings/magnetic pickup), do you mind elaborating on what your experience was? Are you saying that there's a chance that you won't get any tone out of the pickup?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Sounds great...best on a solid wood archtop with some size to it.

It will never sound like a flattop. It's not supposed to.

It's a comprimise though...they won't pick up the same through a pickup...problems range from just low output to imbalanced volume.

What guitar are you considering it on.