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Post by tonivines on Aug 19, 2019 22:55:42 GMT
Hi, I've been looking at the Newtone reso strings and I see that they come in three types of material. Phosphor bronze, steel and monel. As I'm relatively new to much of this could someone enlighten me as to the various qualities of these materials please? I must confess that I've never heard of monel.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
All the best,
Toni.
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 21, 2019 8:06:34 GMT
Hi Toni
Most high quality acoustic guitar strings over the past 40 years have been wound with phosphor bronze on a hexagonal steel core. Phosphor bronze is bright when new, warm when worn in and is loud and clear, and lasts well on the guitar when in use.
Nickel wound strings are made with nickel plated steel on a steel core. This was the way most guitar strings were made for acoustic and electric guitars for most of the past hundred years. These days, apart from some stainless steel, most electric guitar strings are nickel plated steel. On a resonator or acoustic guitar it sounds warm and feels softer to the touch than phosphor bronze. From new they are warmer than phosphor bronze, but have less clarity and volume. Many people like them because they are old school.
Monel is a vintage alloy that was popular in the old days and was used as a material for winding strings on steel cores. In the last few years it has become fashionable because people like vintage style equipment more than they used to. Monel is a very interesting material for winding strings. It has a unique tone and feel, which is something you either like or hate. It is warm sounding, loud and has deep bass. Monel lasts really well and stays sounding new for a very long time. It is quite hard to the touch and that is something you either like or dislike. It has become very popular in recent years and many brands are offering monel sets now.
Most, in fact almost all mass produced strings are wound on hexagonal steel cores. This is because the winding is put on by machines at unbelievably high speeds. A string is wound in a couple of seconds. This is fast and productive, but some say the heat produced when winding at this speed damages the strings and shortens their life. There is no definitive answer to that, but hexagonal string cores do have a different feel to the old way of making strings, which was with round cores. To wind a string on a round core, it has to be done slowly and by a skilled hand. Round core strings tune to pitch at slightly less tension than hexagonal core strings, they are slightly more resonant than hex core strings and they feel supple and comfortable to play. There are a few small manufacturers around the world hand making strings with round cores.
My choice for resonator guitars is phosphor bronze on a round core. I have been using this combination for nearly thirty years, which was when I found out about round core strings. Prior to that I used phosphor bronze on hex cores.
When fitting round core strings they must be tuned to pitch before cutting them, otherwise they will unravel. I have fitted many thousands of round core strings, in fact that is all I have used on all my guitars since 1992.
My choice of gauges for my own playing in open tunings are - 15 17 26 36 46 56 - I like the 15 on the top because when tuning that string down to D which happens in all slack tunings, there is still some bite there to dig into.
I think I have answered your question and I hope that is helpful information.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by tallsailor on Aug 21, 2019 8:20:27 GMT
If your voice ever goes you could get a job as a copywriter, Michael. What a great explanation. It answered questions I didn't even know I had!
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Post by tonivines on Aug 21, 2019 10:08:21 GMT
Michael, thank you so much for your help. Wonderful explanation. I'm very grateful.
All the best,
Toni.
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 21, 2019 10:20:25 GMT
My pleasure. Thanks Toni and tallsailor for your kind words.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by pete1951 on Aug 21, 2019 12:50:53 GMT
I can half remember a talk given on BBC Radio 3 by the late Chis. Hogwood , about the metal used in harpsichord strings, brass ( yellow and red ) and steel, at the time I didn’t think about the use of other materials on plain strings. Many Indian instruments use copper and brass plain strings, and I think I remember talking to Michael about this?  |
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 21, 2019 15:01:50 GMT
Indeed, Indian instruments do use copper and bronze, as well as steel. They give the deeper sound, but still using a plain string and it's really warm sounding. I have experimented with plain bronze strings on my Tricone and it sounds really good. Just the top three - DBG or DAF#, then DGD or DAD with regular wound strings. It works really well. Bronze and copper are soft and warm compared to steel.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Aug 21, 2019 15:21:12 GMT
Aha!
Where do we get hold of some of these plain bronze strings, then?
Newtone?
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 21, 2019 18:28:50 GMT
Aha! Where do we get hold of some of these plain bronze strings, then? Newtone? PD, it was something Neil and I were working on a couple of years ago and we were planning to make up a set. After the holiday weekend I will speak to Neil and get this going again. I had forgotten until today, so thanks Pete for reminding me! Shine On Michael |
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Post by jvmalan on Nov 28, 2019 2:48:40 GMT
Very interesting...I learned something, actually several things today!
Thanks MM!
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