MMB 28 with Light Strings

[Mike B]

Hello, I've recently been thinking of trying some 12 gauge strings on my MMB28. I usually use MM newtone 15s and play mostly slide in open G on it. I'm interested to try playing some fingerstyle in standard on it and was wondering if anyone could advise me on what strings will work best , in terms of putting the right pressure on the cone. Also I was thinking maybe I could tune it up to open A with 12s so I could play a bit of slide as well? I've been having problems with the joints in my fingers, which is why I'm wanting to experiment with some lighter strings. Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks

[bod]

Hi, after conferring briefly with MM, I tried some Newtone Masterclass 12-54 Monels on my “MMB 29” prototype when I wanted to use it for fingerstyle in standard, they worked really nicely - very playable and the guitar rang and sang out even more than usual.

[Mike B]

Thanks for taking the timw to reply Bod. I'll order a set , that's really good to know , cheers

[lonelyjelly]

Aug 9, 2022 22:52:30 GMT Mike B said:

Thanks for taking the timw to reply Bod. I'll order a set , that's really good to know , cheers

Hi Mike
I had some 54-12's on my MM Blues guitar for a while as they were what I had to hand at the time, and they worked just fine for fingerstyle and slide.
Best,
Lew

[thinline72]

That's a great thread and right on time for me! I've been thinking of trying 12s on my MM for quite a while, even thought of emailing Newtone asking if it's possible to get MM Monel Resonator set as 12s. But looks like Newtone Masterclass 12-54 Monel should do the job! Thanks!

That being said, it's still might worth suggesting Newtone to do MM Reso 12s as it looks like there is a request for them 

[Michael Messer]

Yep, 12/54 strings are fine on National-style resonator guitars, especially if you are a standard tuning player.

If you email Neil at Newtone HQ he will make a set of 12/54 MM round core strings for you in any of the three materials, monel, nickel, or phosphor bronze.

Shine On
Michael

[Mike B]

Thanks to everyone for their input and interest in the thread. I'll email Neil at Newtone. It would be interesting to try both MM and masterclass in 12 - 54 gauge on my MMB28 in standard tuning. After thinking about it , maybe the wound third wouldn't like being pushed up a whole tone into open E and open A (from DADF#AD and DGDGBD). I'm guessing that would be another custom set to be able to do that. cheers M.

[thinline72]

I've been curious of trying an unwound 3rd for quite some time too, even from playability perspective. I know some folks use it on acoustics/resos, but I'm wondering what are the pitfalls? I guess intonation will change so it might require some saddle adjustments?

BTW, just dropped an email to Neil at Newtone HQ. Hope it'll be possible to get custom sets. Quite excited about a new round of strings experiments!