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Post by kristo on Oct 8, 2014 8:24:04 GMT
Hello all. I'm new to this forum having recently acquired a Gold Tone GRE resonator. I bought it to tune to EADGBE and use for New Orleans Swing Jazz chording (no slide). It came set up for open E tuning with Michael's Newtone National strings. I have replaced these with Newtones Heritage Low Tension 12-51 set. This makes it much easier for chordwork but I still need to get the nut replaced and saddle lowered.
Before I do this I was just looking for advice as to whether these low tension strings are best suited for this application, or if I should try something else before getting it set up. Any help would be appreciated. Cheers. |
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Post by Michael Messer on Oct 8, 2014 9:22:29 GMT
Hi Kristo,
Welcome to our forum.
I would not recommend using the Newtone low tension strings on your guitar because there will not be enough tension to drive the cone. I designed the MM National Newtones specifically for National and National-style guitars. I would recommend 13/56, or if they are too heavy, 12/54. I believe the Gold Tone GRE has a lipstick pickup. If that is the case and you want to use that pickup, you will need nickel strings, not phosphor bronze.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by kristo on Oct 8, 2014 10:32:38 GMT
Hello Michael. Thanks for the reply. I did wonder about the tension issue and that prompted my query. It sounds ok, but thanks for confirming it's not getting the best out of the cone. It's the older version that has both a lipstick pickup and a passive piezo pickup on the bridge. I was unsure on the best strings, but am likely to use the lipstick pickup more. I'll order some of your nickel strings now. Many thanks for your help.
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Post by kristo on Nov 11, 2014 10:07:08 GMT
Hello again. This situation has developed and I no longer have the Goldtone. The guitarist from the blues band I play bass in tried it (tuned to E) before I got it set up for chording and fell in love with it. To his credit he made it sound amazing, so I offered it to him and he snapped my hand off.
I have now picked up a parlour resonator (identical to a Busker Cannon) for the swing stuff. The cone has been replaced by a National Hot Rod, along with a replacement nut and saddle. The seller lowered the action for me and it's pretty much ready to go for the New Orleans tunes. It's wonderful and I am very pleased. It came with D'Addario EJ16s fitted as they were all the seller had to fit but these are too bright for me. I've tried some Newtone MM National 13s but found them quite hard to chord for long periods of playing. I have currently fitted some Newtone Heritage 13's as I had some spare whilst deciding on some new strings for ease of playing.
As it's a parlour guitar I have no clue what is best for the style of music I'll be playing. I need volume as we will mainly play acoustic, but don't want too bright a tone. I am tempted to try the Newtone MM National 12's as the thinner high E and B should help chording, but thought I'd ask here first for advice. Cheers.
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