More strings questions

[steelarts]

Hi guys, I'm in the process of removing the nasty finish from my new Lightning and know that when I come to sanding the top the resonator cover will have to be removed. Now I've never had any success with removing strings and then reusing them as I find they break too easily.

So I've just ordered a couple of new sets of the MM Nationals. One store I ordered from quoted Out of Stock with a 12 week expected delivery so I tried my usual online shop. I always use Strings Direct even though sometimes they're not the cheapest because they always give excellent service. They said their main order was about 3 weeks away but will try their hardest to get my strings in 7 - 10 days.

Now my question is, is this Out of Stock scenario a usual state of affairs for MM National strings? I realise that Newtone is a small manufacturer so do you guys by several sets at a time in case of stock problems?

Also, I noticed Martin, Elixir and (I think) D'Addario make resonator strings. Are these any good? What I like about the MM's is that although they're heavier than I'm used to they still play easily for finger style even with a higher action. Do other makes perform in the same way?

cheers,
Marcus

[slide496]

My experience is no, the MMs seem to settle in on the cone more gracefully over time in the nickel but I haven't tried the phosphor bronze. In the states juststrings.com sells a full line.

Peace,
Harriet

[Michael Messer]

Hi Marcus,

Regarding your question about whether other makes of 'Resonator Guitar Strings' perform in the same way. There is some confusion in the marketplace about what they are selling......

The brands you mentioned make 'resonator' strings, but what they actually mean is that they make strings for Dobro-style guitars tuned to high bass G (GBDGBD) for lap steel playing. My own brand of strings are designed for National and National-style guitars tuned in low bass tunings (DGDGBD and DADF#AD), which is a whole different thing and both types are gauged accordingly. In low bass tunings the 'resonator' strings will not be balanced.

MM Strings are probably heavier than you are used to, but they tune to pitch at a slightly lower tension to most other brands, and this is one of the major factors in making them drive the resonator and feel really easy and supple to play.

I hope that makes sense

Shine On
Michael

[steelarts]

Thanks for that info Michael, that really clarifies a lot of things. I suppose what I'd really like to know is do other players experience difficulty in getting hold of the MM strings? If not, where do they get them from?

[DaveRed]

I buy all my strings from Strings Direct and the supply does fluctuate because Newtone are a small producer. I generally buy 3 or 4 sets at a time for that reason. When I really can't get hold of MM strings I go for Jim Dunlop Resonator strings. You will probably find they have higher tension than MM's though.

Dave

[slide496]

I get MM's from juststrings.com in the US - I live there. They carry a full line of them, the phosphor bronze, nickel for resonators and also electric nickel.

Peace,
Harriet

[steelarts]

Good news. The guys at Strings Direct managed to get me a couple of sets ahead of their main order. A big thank you to them. Now I can get on and finish the Lightning! I also think it's a good idea to order strings as soon as I do the next restring, that way I'll always (hopefully) be ahead of the game in case they're on back order with the supplier.

[Jaco]

Steelarts

In my experience over many years I can say without doubt that Michaels strings are the best I've ever used on a resonator. I'm partial to the nickel strings and for me the heavier the better so I go with the .059-.016. You can go to the Newtone site here newtonestrings.com/index.htm and as 496 said JustStrings is a great source for the MM strings. Personally I wouldn't use any other string on my Reso.

Best,
Jaco

[mitchfit]

Michael,

pleased to learn in this thread that your strings have a US distributor network!!

i tune my model 1133 to DADF#AD, assuming/hoping you have tried this tuning on your student model before, which set do you prefer for the cone-only acoustic? [nickle, bronze, gauge, etc.]

for my education, could you explain why that choice will be better?

i realize you favor microphone reproduction, but from your experience with others, will that set also be a good choice for another reso solid body electric with with piezo bridge and P90 style neck PU? if not, what are your thoughts on the best choice there?

both of the aforementioned instruments are short scale.

[~close~ in scale from memory, but not sure about exact measurements without going to check]

thank you in advance for your generous sharing of information,
mitchfit