Strings for carved archtop?

[charleyrich99]

I just purchased an archtop, with a carved top and solid wood sides and back, and wondering what would be the best set of strings for it. It has a floating humbucker.
My other archtop is a laminate so my experience with an all-solid one is limited.

I use Martin Retro (Monel) True medium strings on my flat-top guitars and D'addario Pure Nickel (11-48) on my electrics including the laminate archtop.

Would either be a good choice? (The guitar hasn't arrived yet, so I am just getting ready and would like to order new strings before it arrives)

Thoughts?

--Charley

[ThatRhythmMan]

Either one of those strings should function well both acoustically and with the pickup. They are certainly worth giving a try. GHS White Bronze might be worth trying also.


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[Cunamara]

I have Martin Retro Monel strings on my carved archtop and I like them a lot in that application (I also like them on my flattop). In my case, amplified the guitar tends to be a bit boomy and the slightly reduced electric/magnetic response of the wound strings hit the sweet spot for that instrument. In addition to liking the tone better, it also produced the propensity for feedback.

[whiskey02]

The first two sets to test should be the Martin's and D'addario that you're using on other guitars, maybe one step up in gauge. I was happy with the Retro monels on my acoustic only archtop. Recently put on a set of Pyramid pure nickel, don't love or hate them. D'addario pure nickel next and if they don't float my boat I'll go back to Martin Retro

[sgosnell]

IME archtops, especially acoustic, tend to sound a little better with certain strings. The only way I know of to find the ideal strings for one is to try a lot of different sets, and see what I like. Sometimes it only takes one or two tries, sometimes many more. The big problem is that there are so many brands, and each brand has multiple gauges sets, and multiple alloys, so the possibilities are overwhelming. The posted strings would both be high on my list.

[ThatRhythmMan]

One thing to keep in mind is give them a little time when you try a set. I’ve found that don’t really like the first few days with Martin Retros on a guitar, but once they settle in I’m really happy with them.


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[charleyrich99]

One thing to keep in mind is give them a little time when you try a set. I’ve found that don’t really like the first few days with Martin Retros on a guitar, but once they settle in I’m really happy with them.


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I have the same experience with the Retros on my flat top

[charleyrich99]

The first two sets to test should be the Martin's and D'addario that you're using on other guitars, maybe one step up in gauge. I was happy with the Retro monels on my acoustic only archtop. Recently put on a set of Pyramid pure nickel, don't love or hate them. D'addario pure nickel next and if they don't float my boat I'll go back to Martin Retro

I have a feeling the D'Adarrio will squeak less...

[whiskey02]

I have a feeling the D'Adarrio will squeak less...

Thanks Charleyrich; nice that we can speak openly here rather than behind closed doors
Squeak less than the Retro's or Pyramids? The Pyramids are "polished" and the are 95% squeak free. They also showed signs of tarnishing immediately so I'm not expecting great longevity, which was part of choosing them and paying a higher price. Fwiw, the monel Martin Retro's do last a very long time.

[garybaldy]

Monel 12s on my Loar 700 with floating mini. Great both acoustic and plugged in. Much nicer than the TI Swings that were on it when I got it.

[Cunamara]

The big problem is that there are so many brands, and each brand has multiple gauges sets, and multiple alloys, so the possibilities are overwhelming.

Truth. And a lot of them are really only brands; there's a lot of strings that are wound by D'Addario, for example, under contract and sold by other brands. The wire for the cores and the wrapping is also only made by a few manufacturers; string makers don't draw their own wire, they buy it on spools. So there may not be all that much difference between many of the strings on the market. I suspect, for example, that most phosphor bronze and 80/20 strings are pretty much interchangeable and the cheapest aren't all that different from the spendiest.