string guage in the 1930's

[wolvoboy]

anyone any idea what strings and guage size were used on the old Nationals and are the strings that are made today in a way too good,to create the raw 30's type sound, for example i put some expensive strings on my stella Harmony it sounded ok,but the wife was shopping at Netto's when she came back she said oh ive bought you some guitar string and they were only £1.99 they were in the draw for ages,and one day i put them on the Stella,and it sounded amazing went back to Nettos to buy some more but they had gone.the point im trying to make is would a 30's duolian for example with 30's strings on it sound different to a 30's duolian with modern strings on it .hope i am making it clear what i mean.
wolvoboy

[thebluesbear( al)]

Hi

you are making it 100 percent clear , id think that there would be a difference in sound of some sort ...between strings of the 1930s and now

id like to know if anyone knows what strings were used , it would be interesting to know

al

[blueshome]

There has been a thread on old strings here and over at weeniecampbell, suggest you do a search to see what was said.

Until the 1950's most strings were nickel alloy wrap rather than bronze or phosphor-bronze. There is a myth that they were all very heavy gauges but this is not so, We know this from both catalogues, string packets and also from the light construction of many of the guitars sold then.

There is certainly a difference in sound between these different types as there is between different brands, however there is no evidence to suggest that strings from the 20's & 30's were particularly poor (except for the notorious Black 'Diamonds). I'm sure the studio and professional musicians of the time (as opposed to those out in the country who may not have had much choice) would have used the best they could get.

I can get pretty close to the sounds on the old Tampa Red records on my tricone using nickels (this was suggested to me by Mike Lewis of Fine Resophonic). I have found less difference in string sound on my old ladder braced instruments when using either PB or nickel where the gauge seems to have more effect.

What gauges and material were you Netto's?

[wolvoboy]

Hi the strings that i had from Netto's did not have a string size on the but they were fairly light guage they look like there made from brass rather than bronze ,had them on the guitar a whlie now and they just seem to get better,concidering netto's is a food store they aint bad strings. what guage strings did you use on your tricone
wolvoboy

[andys]

Believe it or not there are folks selling used old strings off vintage guitars on eBay and getting bids on them. These people who dismantle old guitars, often sell the old strings off them and get people buying them!!

[blueshome]

Wolvo,

I use MM 15-56 nickel on the tricone and settled on them about 4 years ago after trying various others. They just suit the guitar.

On my NRP Style O is use 13-54 PB for picking and sliding (open G, open E).

I think it's a matter of experimentation until you find what suits your guitar and your ears. We all like different things.

[andys]

Having used and preferred Nickel strings on my MM guitar, I wanted to try a heavier gauge. I could only find Newtones in Phosphore Bronze in that gauge, so I thought I'd try them out.

They've been on a week or so, and they wont be on much longer, as I just dont like the tone. As soon as I can get some 16-59 Nickels theyre coming off!!!

Just me, but I prefer the tone of Nickel strings. I just dont like the tone of PB strings, I dont even use them on my acoustic, preferring nickels or stainless steel even.

Tell you what, I have even used stainless steel strings on a resonator. They give a really nice smooth tone, but with a bit less volume. You cant get them in heavier gauges than 13s really.