Strings for an Eastman 503

[StefanoGhirardo]

Hi, is there anyone who has found a "magic match" between an Eastman 503 (or, broadening the search, an Eastman archtop) and its strings?
For now I've only tried the stock strings (D'Addario NYXL .012 - .052) and the Thomastik js113. Neither one liked me enough to think "it's them!".I play at home, fingerstyle, amplified but at a such a low volume that the acoustic sound mixes with the electric one.
It is true that the preference of the strings is subjective, but in many years of guitar I have found that sometimes there are really powerful matches (for me it was between the Epiphone Joe Pass and the Thomastik js113, or between an Almira cw435 and the Augustine high tension purple) ...

[tbeltrans]

My Eastman is an FV-880ce (Frank Vignola model). Since the original D'Addario NYXL strings are fine for me, I intend to stick with those. I intend to try the lighter .010 set at some point since that is what I use on my 1998 Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion III. I have personally never cared for flat wound strings, probably because I have long been primarily playing acoustic (flat top) guitars. The FV-880ce seems to sit midway between a flat top and an archtop, with its full acoustic sound and the warm Lollar Johnny Smith pickup it came with.

On my Robert Conti Peerless Equity, I use the Robert Conti strings since they are perfect for that guitar, shown here: 17" Equity - 1st Gen • RobertConti.com

Tony

[sgosnell]

I don't know about your guitar specifically, but I've recently discovered SIT American Roots monel strings, and I really like them on my guitar. They only come in .011 and .012 sets AFAIK, but I like .012 sets with the e string replaced with a .013. Some people won't like these strings because they don't have the dead thud of flats, but I like the sound. They're sold as acoustic strings, and work well for that, but they also play well with magnetic pickups. They're cheap, at $7.00/set, and won't require a second mortgage on your home to try. I've been using Martin Retro monel strings, and I may have bought my last set of those, because I like the SIT strings much better.

[StefanoGhirardo]

I'm curious to try monel strings, maybe the acoustic soul of the 503 needs some help.
Of the two tried, in this direction the D'Addario NYXL were better than the Thomastik js113.
Thanks Tony and Sgosnell for sharing!

[EarlBrother]

on my 403 i am enjoying the LaBella black tapes.

[whiskey02]

+1 on the use of monel steel on your Eastman.

[Tom Karol]

I use these on my AR-403:

But I think it's a riot that they call them, "Heavy!"