Which plain g-string for a set of flatwounds .012?

[guavajelly]

I'd like to try a plain g-string on my ES 330. The other strings are a standard set of flatwound TI jazz swing .012: .012, .016, w.020 (g-string), .027, .037, .050 Which gauge would you recommend for the plain 3rd string? I hope to get a bit more sustain out of the plain string.

[WahmBomAh]

I`ve done this with my archtop. Peter Leitch was the first guy I met who used a thick plain G on an archtop.
The danger is if the string is too stiff it can be nasal sounding. I originally used a .24 with my D`Addario Half Round 12`s but found the .22 worked better. There is a D`Addario 12 (EXL145) set that comes with a plain G at .20 ... That felt a little light to me but the TI's tend to feel lighter that the D'Addarios of the same gauge.
Beats me ....22?

[guavajelly]

Thank you, I think I just order one of each from .018, .020 to .022 and try what I'll like. ;-)

[Jabberwocky]

I'll try 20 gauge plain. Plain Gs get troublesome the heavier the gauge you go with.

Wound or plain G

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

I'd like to try a plain g-string on my ES 330. The other strings are a standard set of flatwound TI jazz swing .012: .012, .016, w.020 (g-string), .027, .037, .050 Which gauge would you recommend for the plain 3rd string? I hope to get a bit more sustain out of the plain string.

The T-I Jazz Bebop (round wound) 12 gauge set runs 12, 16, 20(plain), 28, 36, 50

[neatomic]

just remember you are going to have to adjust your g bridge saddle for correct intonation


also the plain string is going to have more magnetic interaction with pickups..as its plain steel...may have to lower the polepiece a tad


cheers

[mad dog]

I always use .019 for unwound G on archtops. Works great.

[citizenk74]

PTChris used to advise no larger than 0.018 for Gs. I have gone as high as 0.024s but have had much better luck with 0.018s. YMMV.

[guavajelly]

Who is PTChris? Yes, I've searched before asking.

[citizenk74]

Who is PTChris? Yes, I've searched before asking.

chris was a prolific and well informed poster from years ago. He was skilled in making and repairing guitars. Astute and generous and funny as hell. I miss his wit and wisdom.

[Bezoeker]

... advise no larger than 0.018 for Gs. I have gone as high as 0.024s but have had much better luck with 0.018s. YMMV.

That would be .018 max for a plain G. Certainly one can get great sounds from a wound G of greater diameter than .018”.