String gauge on your archtop?

**brad4d8** · 06-28-2012, 07:26 AM

I generally use .014s, although I have a set of 15s that I will probably try at some point. I tried going to lighter strings on my X-170 when I got my Artist Award, but didn't like them. I even use 14s on one of my flattops (F-50).
Brad

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 06-28-2012, 04:30 PM

There have been enough 14s or 15s that I'm calling poll fail!

**feet** · 06-28-2012, 11:03 PM

hard to say. usually 12s of some kind, either 12-56 or everly 12-60s, but 13s on others. depends on the guitar. i tend to tune down at least a whole step, too. except the byrdland- that stays in standard because otherwise the tension is all weird. i don't want to put 14s on it.

**tomassplatch** · 06-29-2012, 03:12 AM

When I had my PM35, I was using Thomastik roundwounds and flats 13s and later 14s. I also tried Thomastik GB 14 flats, but they were horribly dead on that guitar. Actually, I was never happy with the tone (too bright), so I figured out it was the guitar, not the strings problem.

Now I have an Ibanez 2355m, tried TI 14s roundwounds, but finally prefer the deadness of the TI 13s flats on this instrument. I definitely am after heavy gauge strings, just ordered La Bella 15s.

**wizard3739** · 06-29-2012, 05:00 AM

I'm currently using 14-53 TI flats 0n my Sadowsky and 12-52 Sadowsky flats on my Tele. I prefer using Sadowsky flats but they have been "out of stock" for several months. The TIs sound pretty good but they feel loose compared to the Sadowsky flats.

wiz

**ruger9** · 06-29-2012, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

There have been enough 14s or 15s that I'm calling poll fail!

It is interesting that the people who have COMMENTED there are alot of 14 & 15, because 12 & 13 are winning the poll in a landslide.

**NSJ** · 06-29-2012, 10:48 AM

TI roundwound Bebops 14-55. The best sounding strings I've found.

**voxss** · 06-29-2012, 12:24 PM

finally got BELLA 15/56 on the Monarch...delighted with the fat sound...

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 06-29-2012, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by ruger9

It is interesting that the people who have COMMENTED there are alot of 14 & 15, because 12 & 13 are winning the poll in a landslide.

I think they are commenting because they can't specifically vote for their candidates. What is this, Pennsylvania?!

**Peter C** · 06-29-2012, 05:31 PM

Usually 13-56 D'Addario Pure Nickel roundwounds or Chromes, depending on my mood. I will on occasion replace the 1st with a .014.

If Thomastik made a "traditionally" gauged set with beefier wound strings, I'm sure I'd take to them.

**voxss** · 06-30-2012, 04:42 AM

blown away with BELLA 15`s on the Monarch..anyone tried them on an Epiphone Joe PAss.

**oldane** · 06-30-2012, 05:01 AM

Originally Posted by voxss

blown away with BELLA 15`s on the Monarch..anyone tried them on an Epiphone Joe PAss.

I ordered a couple of sets of La Bella 20PH 15-56 flatwounds to try out on my Painter. I have only had them on the guitar for a few days, but so far I'm pleased. A beefy, round and full sound. Balanced volume wise. Even fretting resistance. Good balance between the tone of the plain vs. the wound strings. Being stainless steel and in that heavy gauge, they should last almost for ever. The extra plain E and B is a nice touch (though it wouldn't have been a deal breaker if they weren't there). In my youth, I used Gretsch flatwounds and they also had those spare strings which was more important back then when I was a student with almost no money.

**voxss** · 06-30-2012, 05:29 AM

WTG Oldane ...agree with all that...i heard somewhere that BB king wound all the string around the peg..when he was poor couldnt afford strings.. if they broke hed have a chance sringing again...

**balthazar** · 06-30-2012, 04:30 PM

I use Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Swing flatwound .013 -.053 on my Ibanez AG95.

**rictroll** · 07-01-2012, 10:18 PM

Sadowsky 13 Bruno's on my Holst; 11's on my PRS HBI

**burchyk** · 07-04-2012, 05:59 AM

GHS Custom Pat Martino 15-52 (fifteen!) flatwounds on Heritage 575. Lovin' them!

**mangotango** · 08-01-2012, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by voxss

blown away with BELLA 15`s on the Monarch..anyone tried them on an Epiphone Joe PAss.

No, but just put a set of the LaBella Black tapewound on my Epi JP (which has P90's) and the sound is...quite remarkable.

**Klatu** · 08-06-2012, 10:07 AM

I posted my string gauge a while back but forgot to mention that I use both D'Addario Chromes and Thomastic Flatwounds. The flatwounds have 13s on top, but the rest of the set is the same as the D'Addarios, so I place them into the same gauge category as the D'Addarios.

**rgire** · 08-07-2012, 08:14 PM

.13 flatwound chromes

**2bornot2bop** · 08-07-2012, 09:21 PM

TI GB14's on a few archtops, and GB 12's on the rest.

**bigdaddyguitar** · 08-10-2012, 10:04 PM

Thomastik-Infield GB 112 nickel flatwound on my Broadway and Emperor .

**fumblefingers** · 08-10-2012, 10:39 PM

Thomastik Infeld George Benson 12s - round wound on my archtops.

**Bryan T** · 08-16-2012, 11:53 AM

I have .012 D'Addario roundwounds on my Eastman. I'll probably move up to .013s on my next string change. I think I'll switch to a "pure nickel" set, too.

Edit: I ended up moving to TI Bebop .013s.

**HighSpeedSpoon** · 09-05-2012, 10:34 PM

I've used TI GB 112s for years. Now I'm experimenting but the GBs are still looking good.

**JensL** · 09-06-2012, 02:42 AM

Thomastik Bebop .13s on my Epiphone Sheraton and Ibanez
D'addario .12 chromes on my Gibson ES-175

I never did much bending, but since I got new frets on my Sheraton it is really easy to bend on, they are a new sort of frets Ken Parker uses them too in his guitars, I forgot the name though.

Jens