Help - Need heavier stings on MM28

[mikeshipman]

Hi folks,

Ive emailed Robin at Busker with this query but am aware that in their remote area emails sometime take a while to be seen so just wondering if folks here could help....


I'm enjoying my new MM28 but feel it'd work better for me with heavier strings.

Would anyone know what string gauge is on it presently, either other MM28 owners or other MM guitar owners? (it says 13-56 on the Busker website for MM Blues reso's, I wonder if that is Robins standard fit on all the reso guitars?)

and

Would I need to get the nut slots and or/ bridge slots adjusted (made bigger) for a heavier gauge, and without nut files, how best to do this?

The other thing I guess I could do for starters is just get a heavier top E - any suggestions ref what the heaviest gauge is that could be tuned up to E?

Many thanks.



Mike.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Mike,

Your MM Blues '28 is currently strung with 13/56, which has become our standard set to fit. Personally speaking, I don't use 13/56 on any of my guitars because I don't play in standard tuning. I use 15/56, which actually is the original gauge of my MM strings.

There is no reason whatsoever that you shouldn't fit a set of 16/59 MM Newtones to your '28. Again, these were the original gauges of MM Newtone strings that were designed 23 years ago for use on vintage Nationals. I have strung an MM Blues '28 with 16/59s and they sound and feel great. I would get the phosphor-bronze red pack 16/59. You shouldn't need to cut any slots wider to accommodate those heavier gauges.

If you can't get any for a while because Newtone are busy, I may have a spare set I could post to you.

Shine On
Michael.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Mike,

In addition to my previous post: if you are tuning up to EBEG#BE, I would not recommend anything heavier than 15/56. However, if you are tuning DADF#AD & DGDGBD, then the 16/59s are absolutely fine. The 16/59s will go up a little without pulling too much on the guitar, but as the manufacturer I have to say that I would not recommend you to leave a guitar tuned up to EBEG#BE with such heavy strings.

Shine On
Michael

[obrienp]

Hi Michael,

Sorry, this is somewhat off the original topic and probably there are already countless threads on this but would it be OK to tune my tricone up to EBEG#BE with 15/56s? It's a Busker Deco.

I am always worried that the smaller cones on a tricone will distort under the pressure of raised tunings.

Slide on,
Pat

[Michael Messer]

Hi Pat,

It should be perfectly okay. The three 6 inch cones are just as strong as a 9.5 inch cone, but they are more prone to buzzes and rattles. A lot of the talk on the Internet about be careful with Tricones and tunings, is related to vintage 1920s and 30s Nationals with old and sometimes fragile cones.

If your break angle is not too steep it will be fine. If it is too steep, just put a wedge of wood under it to make the break angle less steep, that will take pressure off the cones.

I hope all that makes sense!

Shine On
Michael.

[obrienp]

Thank you Michael,

I am not sure if the break angle on my guitar is steep, or not. I might ask you to have a look at it, if you have a spare moment over the Pocklington weekend.

Thanks and slide on,
Pat

[Michael Messer]

Hi Pat,

No problem, I will have a look next week

Shine On
Michael