Magma Flat Strings

**dhd** · 03-24-2021, 01:34 PM

I recently found another flat guitar string.
Magma Flat Phosphor Bronze acoustic guitar.

They also offer Magma Flat Electric Guitar strings (stainless steel).

These are not flat wound strings, they are round wound that are flattened.
I have not tried the Magma Flat Electric Guitar strings but have 3 of my acoustic guitars with the
Magma Flat Phosphor Bronze GA120PBF strings installed.
Initially I thought these Magma Flat strings would be similar to D'Addario Flat Top strings.
D'Addario Flat Top are Phosphor Bronze round wound strings that are ground then polished smooth
to reduce string squeak. D'Addario Flat Top did reduced string squeak a little for me but not as much as I hoped for.
These Magma Flat GA120PBF strings are not like D'Addario Flat Top,
the Magma strings are much smoother and there is no string squeak.
I've only had them installed for about 2 weeks, and they still sound very clear and balanced.
Prior to these Magma Flat strings I had been using Dogal Nightclub V25 80/20 Bronze Flat wound and
Galli 80/20 Bronze Flat wound. The Galli have had issues with the 3rd sting (G) having less polished
surface and I'd get occasion string squeak. The Dogal are very good strings, low tension and seem to be lasting along time.
The Dogal are pricey at almost twice the cost of the Magma Flat.
If the Magma continue to sound great over a reasonable time period they'll be my new go to string.

Here is a demo of the Magma Flat GA120PBF
and you can hear how squeak free they are.

The video is in spanish, but closed caption can be auto-generated
to your desired language.

**neatomic** · 03-24-2021, 06:25 PM

very good report! thanks...

just be aware there is a difference between 80/20's and phosphor bronze...phosphor bronze came about in the early 1970's...the bell like 80/20's are true vintage!...what d'angelico was using way back!

cheers

**Hammertone** · 03-25-2021, 01:08 AM

I met the Magma kids at NAMM a couple years back and was intrigued by these very strings. The booth was big and loud and hilarious - no one spoke English and all they wanted to do was dance. Kind of charming for an old coot like me being surrounded by a couple of beautiful, wiggly young women who had no idea why I would be asking about strings at their string booth. I was planning to follow up with them using the miracle of Google Translate to a get a box for this years (cancelled) NAMM show. Maybe next year...

**dhd** · 03-25-2021, 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by neatomic

very good report! thanks...

just be aware there is a difference between 80/20's and phosphor bronze...phosphor bronze came about in the early 1970's...the bell like 80/20's are true vintage!...what d'angelico was using way back!

cheers

I like 80/20 Bronze strings and hopefully
Magma will soon offer Flat 80/20 Bronze.
I contacted Magma for additional info on their Flat strings
here is a portion of their response:

Because our core special process, Magma Strings tensions are lower.
We are working in different flat models right now. Possibly, we will have Magma Flat 80/20 in the future.
We have special process that allowed us to achieve a flat string with volume and bright.
Tensions are similar to the traditional sets.
They don’t have any variations.
For your reference, tensions are similar to:
Magma Set GA120PBF similar to Dadario EJ15
GA130PBF similar to EJ26
GA140PBF similar to EJ16

**Ol' Fret** · 03-25-2021, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by Hammertone

I met the Magma kids at NAMM a couple years back and was intrigued by these very strings. The booth was big and loud and hilarious - no one spoke English and all they wanted to do was dance. Kind of charming for an old coot like me being surrounded by a couple of beautiful, wiggly young women who had no idea why I would be asking about strings at their string booth. I was planning to follow up with them using the miracle of Google Translate to a get a box for this years (cancelled) NAMM show. Maybe next year...

I'm scratching my head about what the miracle of Google Translate could do when someone is surrounded by beautiful, wiggly young women with dancing mania.

**cmajor9** · 03-25-2021, 08:50 AM

Anyone know where to find Magma strings in Europe?
Their Website seems unreachable at the moment.

**dhd** · 03-25-2021, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by cmajor9

Anyone know where to find Magma strings in Europe?
Their Website seems unreachable at the moment.

These are the only two websites I know of at the present time
I ordered my strings from the USA website.
Argentina........ Magma Store
United States / International........... magmastoreusa– MAGMA STRINGS

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 03-25-2021, 12:20 PM

What, their flats are only 11 and 12 gauge?

**dhd** · 03-25-2021, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

What, their flats are only 11 and 12 gauge?

You may want to contact Magma and ask about the Flat string gauge you're interested in.

I expect Magma's Flat string choices are going to increase.
I'm interested in 80/20 Bronze Flat which they don't have, so I contacted Magma and asked.
Here is their response:

We are working in different flat models right now.
Possibly, we will have Magma Flat 80/20 in the future.

**Hammertone** · 03-25-2021, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by Ol' Fret

I'm scratching my head about what the miracle of Google Translate could do when someone is surrounded by beautiful, wiggly young women with dancing mania.

Sadly, the beautiful, wiggly young women with dancing mania are back in Argentina while I am back in Toronto, where fun is still outlawed. Perhaps they can send me some videos along with pricing for the strings to tide me over until January 2022.

**dhd** · 03-31-2021, 09:41 AM

I contacted Magma customer service and asked about string tension values for
GE160SF and GE170SF.

According to Magma customer service
Magma GE160SF tension value is similar to
D'Addario EXL115 Nickel Round Wound &
D'Addario EXL115w Nickel Round Wound
The reason two D'Addario string sets are referenced,
is because Magma GE160SF includes two 3rd strings,
one plain and one wound.

According to Magma customer service
Magma GE170SF tension value is similar to
D'Addario EJ21 Nickel Wound Jazz Light .012-.052

**s11141827** · 07-17-2023, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by dhd

I recently found another flat guitar string.
Magma Flat Phosphor Bronze acoustic guitar.

They also offer Magma Flat Electric Guitar strings (stainless steel).

These are not flat wound strings, they are round wound that are flattened.
I have not tried the Magma Flat Electric Guitar strings but have 3 of my acoustic guitars with the
Magma Flat Phosphor Bronze GA120PBF strings installed.
Initially I thought these Magma Flat strings would be similar to D'Addario Flat Top strings.
D'Addario Flat Top are Phosphor Bronze round wound strings that are ground then polished smooth
to reduce string squeak. D'Addario Flat Top did reduced string squeak a little for me but not as much as I hoped for.
These Magma Flat GA120PBF strings are not like D'Addario Flat Top,
the Magma strings are much smoother and there is no string squeak.
I've only had them installed for about 2 weeks, and they still sound very clear and balanced.
Prior to these Magma Flat strings I had been using Dogal Nightclub V25 80/20 Bronze Flat wound and
Galli 80/20 Bronze Flat wound. The Galli have had issues with the 3rd sting (G) having less polished
surface and I'd get occasion string squeak. The Dogal are very good strings, low tension and seem to be lasting along time.
The Dogal are pricey at almost twice the cost of the Magma Flat.
If the Magma continue to sound great over a reasonable time period they'll be my new go to string.

Here is a demo of the Magma Flat GA120PBF
and you can hear how squeak free they are.

The video is in spanish, but closed caption can be auto-generated
to your desired language.

The Magma Flat Phosphor Bronze Strings are basically a more refined version of the D'addario Flattops because they go a step further & completely flatten the winding. Magma Flat Strings are really "Super ground wounds" which take the Ground wound string a step further by having the winding flattened all the way.

**s11141827** · 08-21-2023, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by dhd

I recently found another flat guitar string.
Magma Flat Phosphor Bronze acoustic guitar.

They also offer Magma Flat Electric Guitar strings (stainless steel).

These are not flat wound strings, they are round wound that are flattened.
I have not tried the Magma Flat Electric Guitar strings but have 3 of my acoustic guitars with the
Magma Flat Phosphor Bronze GA120PBF strings installed.
Initially I thought these Magma Flat strings would be similar to D'Addario Flat Top strings.
D'Addario Flat Top are Phosphor Bronze round wound strings that are ground then polished smooth
to reduce string squeak. D'Addario Flat Top did reduced string squeak a little for me but not as much as I hoped for.
These Magma Flat GA120PBF strings are not like D'Addario Flat Top,
the Magma strings are much smoother and there is no string squeak.
I've only had them installed for about 2 weeks, and they still sound very clear and balanced.
Prior to these Magma Flat strings I had been using Dogal Nightclub V25 80/20 Bronze Flat wound and
Galli 80/20 Bronze Flat wound. The Galli have had issues with the 3rd sting (G) having less polished
surface and I'd get occasion string squeak. The Dogal are very good strings, low tension and seem to be lasting along time.
The Dogal are pricey at almost twice the cost of the Magma Flat.
If the Magma continue to sound great over a reasonable time period they'll be my new go to string.

Here is a demo of the Magma Flat GA120PBF
and you can hear how squeak free they are.

The video is in spanish, but closed caption can be auto-generated
to your desired language.

They're more like "Super Groundwounds"

**s11141827** · 09-03-2023, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by dhd

You may want to contact Magma and ask about the Flat string gauge you're interested in.

I expect Magma's Flat string choices are going to increase.
I'm interested in 80/20 Bronze Flat which they don't have, so I contacted Magma and asked.
Here is their response:

We are working in different flat models right now.
Possibly, we will have Magma Flat 80/20 in the future.

Actually they come in 3 gauges (10, 11, & 12) because they want a low tension that's easy to play.

**dhd** · 10-15-2023, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by s11141827

Actually they come in 3 gauges (10, 11, & 12) because they want a low tension that's easy to play.

Are you saying Magma now offers Flat 80/20 Bronze acoustic guitar strings in 3 gauges (10, 11 & 12) ?

I know about the 3 gauges (10, 11 & 12) Magma Flat Phosphor Bronze.
I've actually been using Magma Flat Phosphor Bronze 10-48 (GA120PBF) since march 2021.

**jazzshrink** · 10-15-2023, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by dhd

Are you saying Magma now offers Flat 80/20 Bronze acoustic guitar strings in 3 gauges (10, 11 & 12) ?

If he responds, he's likely to say anything to get you to buy Magma.

According to their website, the only acoustic flats they make are the phosphorus bronze you're already using.

**dhd** · 10-15-2023, 02:01 PM

Thanks for the heads up.

I like the Magma strings I've been using but I also know of folks
that do not care for them.

**Stbatz** · 10-17-2023, 12:22 AM

I have been using Magma flats 011 for some time on some of my guitars and I find them very good, the level of quality I think is similar to the Cromes

**dhd** · 10-17-2023, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by Stbatz

I have been using Magma flats 011 for some time on some of my guitars and I find them very good, the level of quality I think is similar to the Cromes

From your experience, does the Magma Flat 011 - 050 string set have a different tension feel than the D'Addario Chrome Flat wound 011 -50 ?

I find the Magma Flat Phosphor Bronze 010 - 048 very good but I wish the flat wound string tension feel was a little lighter.
Tuning down two half steps is more comfortable.
Prior to the Magma strings I was using Dogal Nightclub V25 80/20 Bronze Flat wound round core.
These Dogal are really great strings with a noticeable lighter tension feel than the Magma.
I prefer the Dogal strings but they've became too pricey for me.

**Hammertone** · 10-17-2023, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by dhd

From your experience, does the Magma Flat 011 - 050 string set have a different tension feel than the D'Addario Chrome Flat wound 011 -50 ?
I find the Magma Flat Phosphor Bronze 010 - 048 very good but I wish the flat wound string tension feel was a little lighter.
Tuning down two half steps is more comfortable.
Prior to the Magma strings I was using Dogal Nightclub V25 80/20 Bronze Flat wound round core.
These Dogal are really great strings with a noticeable lighter tension feel than the Magma.
I prefer the Dogal strings but they've became too pricey for me.

Have you tried the Galli bronze 80/20 flat wound strings?
AJF1047 - Extra Light tension .010 - .047
AJF1150 - Light tension .011 - .050
AJF1260 - Medium tension .012 - .060
AJF1252 - Medium Light tension .012 - .052

**dhd** · 10-17-2023, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by Hammertone

Have you tried the Galli bronze 80/20 flat wound strings?
AJF1047 - Extra Light tension .010 - .047
AJF1150 - Light tension .011 - .050
AJF1260 - Medium tension .012 - .060
AJF1252 - Medium Light tension .012 - .052

Yes I have tried Galli 80/20 Bronze Flat wound, AJF1047, AJF1150 and AJF1252.
Of the 3 sets, I like the Extra Light AJF1047 the best.
These were my go to string for about a year before trying the Dogal Nightclub V25 and
Magma Flat Phosphor Bronze GA120PBF (10 - 48).

I had issues with the Galli strings, I would get occasional string squeak on the 3rd string (G)
in each of the Galli strings sets (AJF1047, AJF1150 and AJF1252)
The G string had a noticeable less smooth feel compared to the other flat wound strings
in the set.
The other three flat wound strings in each of the string sets were fine and I never experienced any
string squeak from any of the other flat wound strings in the Galli string sets.
I contacted Strings and Beyond and they contacted Galli in Italy about this issue,
but I never heard if the issue had been addressed.
I haven't tried the Galli strings since that issue

**Stbatz** · 10-17-2023, 10:33 PM

I usually use Thomastick flats 012, and I also used Cromes 011, lately I replaced the Cromes with Magma, and I find them quite similar in terms of tension, not to mention the good price of the Magma...

**caue amaral** · 10-18-2023, 12:16 PM

I used Magma 012 flat strings on an archtop and 011 round strings on a 335...they are made in Argentina and I found them to be good strings in relation to the price...comparing with Daddario strings of the same type: equal tension, less brightness and dynamic range, coloring of the darkest metal alloy.

**RJVB** · 12-19-2024, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by dhd

The G string had a noticeable less smooth feel compared to the other flat wound strings
in the set.

My guess would be that this is in part due to preventing fret wear (of the winding) a bit longer. Flat-wound G strings are the only steel strings with which I ever had that issue (esp. with a 0-fret) and I personally find regular round wrap on that string so fine already that finger noise isn't an issue at all (and the texture rather something that allows more audible glissandi). I must add that I use silk-and-steel strings so maybe that helps.

Nevertheless I might be interested in testing a Magma groundwound A and E, once they start making them in brass and selling singles.

**Hammertone** · 12-20-2024, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Hammertone

Sadly, the beautiful, wiggly young women with dancing mania are back in Argentina while I am back in Toronto, where fun is still outlawed. Perhaps they can send me some videos along with pricing for the strings to tide me over until January 2022.

I did get some of the Magma "Flats" (really super-groundwound, as noted above) from the Magma gals at NAMM '23 and '24. I installed set of the .012 PB strings on my '38 Epiphone Triumph, a very loud, bright, wonderful guitar. The Magmas cut the volume somewhat and cut the brightness a lot, which I suspected would be the case. Finger noise is essentially eliminated. The result is a quieter, warmer-sounding guitar.

Yesterday I got together with one of our esteemed members and we compared the sound of the '38 Epiphone Triumph (w/the .012 Magma strings) to a similar guitar (with D'Addario Nickel Bronze .012 roundwound strings - similar gauges). Then, we restrung the Triumph with a set of D'Addario Nickel Bronze .012 roundwound strings. The tonal shift was quite noticeable. My conclusion: both are pretty good, just get the right strings for the job!