MM Slide Guitar Strings & Newtone Acoustic Strings

[slidenpickit]

Hi Michael,

Do you know if there is any difference between MM phosphor bronze resonator strings (15 to 56) and Newtone Master Class acoustic strings in the same gauge? I want some for a Recording King ROS 626 OOO type acoustic guitar for open G/D tunings.

I've always liked the fact that the MM strings come to pitch at a lower tension. I contacted Recording King and they said mediums should be fine but wouldn't recommend Resonator 15s (whatever that means) For me a .15 or at the very least a .14 is essential on the top for the fattest tone possible.

Would .14 .17 .24. 34. .44 .54 be a balanced set?

Regards

Chris

[Michael Messer]

Hi Chris,

There is a difference. The cores are different and the MMs tune to pitch at lower tension, so they should be fine on an acoustic guitar in slack tunings. I cannot vouch for your Recording King, but I have used them on many types of guitars and never had a problem.

I would only tune them to slack tunings DGDGBD, DADF#AD etc...

The gauges you have asked about would be fine, but I am not sure you need to worry.

Try some MM 15/56 and let me know how you get on. If they are putting extra strain on the guitar, you will be able to feel it.

(I know this looks ridiculous, but it is right for me to say that my comments are only my advice and because they go against the manufacturers recommendations, you are doing it at your own risk).

Shine On
Michael.

[slidenpickit]

Thanks Michael.

[Matt]

I've got a Recording King ROS-16 with 15-56 normal strings on (a 13 set with the top swapped), doesn't seem to have done any damage so far, although I think I'll go back to the 13s when I change strings.

[Matt]

Ok maybe the bridge is lifting a tiny bit on the treble side...

~tunes down~

[slidenpickit]

Hi Matt,

What tuning are you using? What do you mean by changing back to 13s. Do you mean just put a 13 on the top instead of the 15 on the 15 to 56 set?

'13s' are usually .13 .17 .26 .36. .46 .56.

[Matt]

Yes, I mean just put on a regular medium set of strings when I change the set. I might go for Michael's strings for the lower tension to see how that is. I did tune up to standard for a bit, and I don't know if the damage (not really damage, but what could become damage) to the bridge happened before or after.

Certainly the weak point is the bridge, the neck looks fine (which probably explains why you can get away with heavier strings on a resonator despite the recording king having a neck like a baseball bat).

I also don't know if the bridge lifted with the 13s, I never thought to look. It's only up half a millimeter or so, the glue is just stretching bit, and only on the very end at the treble side, but I would certainly recommend sticking to 13s max. If anything the heavier gauge just slightly deadened the top string, and didn't make slide much better. The reason I tried it was looking for a bit of a cleaner note with the slide, but I think it's fine how it was.

Cheers

[slidenpickit]

Thanks Matt,

I think that properly constructed resonators also benefit from having a neck stick as well as the tail piece.

Cheers

[gaucho]

Just ordered a couple sets of mediums (MM Newton's) for my biscuit cone. Didn't think I could find them in the US, but Google delivers! On sale at Strings and Beyond to boot! can't wait to try 'em.

[slidenpickit]

Hi Gaucho,

Those are good strings, just don't forget to not cut them to length until they have some tension on them.

Matt - Just for info I checked the Daddario string tension chart. You can use a .13.5 string on the top tuned to D and it will exert the same tension on the neck as a .12 tuned to E. I've now got 13.5 to 54s on mine. I've tweaked the truss rod (1/2 a turn) a tad to give a bit more neck relief and it works really well. It gives you a bit more 'snap' as well as a good slide tone.

[kiwi]

Apr 25, 2011 18:18:07 GMT gaucho said:

Just ordered a couple sets of mediums (MM Newton's) for my biscuit cone. Didn't think I could find them in the US, but Google delivers! On sale at Strings and Beyond to boot! can't wait to try 'em.

That is music to my ears, I used them a few years ago, Elderly used to stock them at a reasonable price, but stopped. Inquired with Newtone but the need to buy in bulk and shipping killed it, so have been using John Pearse and Black Diamond.

YES I can get MM Nationals now, thanks mate. Off to order, shipping and exchange rate is better from the US to here ;D (Thats one happy Kiwi)