Triolian

[weareelemental]

Hi all
I've been meaning to post for a while, but each time I decide to I get caught up in reading threads. It is such an amazing resource (I realise I'm preaching to the choir)
My lovely wife treated me to a fantastic National Triolian from Peach Guitars for my birthday back in June. (My first resonator)
I have to say I love it
Almost all questions I thought I had have been answered within the posts here
I'm using 15-56 pb mm newtones as I felt the first string being a 13 from the factory was a tad thin sounding
The string change dramatically improved the sound an playability of the guitar(imo)
I play mostly in open D or G
And amplify using an sm57 as recommended with great results.
My question is would I get away with upping the string gauge to the 16-59?
I apologise for being long winded and if this question has been answered countless times here
Cheers
Gordon

[Michael Messer]

Hello Gordon

Welcome to our forum.

That's about as good a present as you could get!

I have moved this thread into the Main Street board because I like to keep all MM products discussions in one place, otherwise the forum would become overrun with MM stuff.

When I designed MM Newtone National Strings with Malcolm Newton back in 1992, they were designed for use on vintage National guitars. There were three gauges; 13/56 for standard tuning, and 15/56 & 16/59 for open slack tunings (DGDGBD & DADF#AD). At that time, myself and a few other well known resophonic guitar players were using 16/59s on our vintage National guitars. In the early 90s I was on the road with three instruments, a Duolian, a round-neck Tricone and a square-neck Tricone. They were all strung with 16/59s and played in slack open tunings. My friend and master guitarist, Steve James, used to use 16/59s in standard tuning on a 1930s National Trojan.

For some reason, as time went by I started using the 15/56s, which I still use on all my round-neck guitars. On my square neck Tricone, if I am playing in slack tunings I use 16/59s, and if I am playing in high-bass tuning (GBDGBD) I use 15/56.

Sometimes on square-neck Dobros, if I am looking for a very vintage sound, I use 16/59s in high-bass G (GBDGBD) Dobros are different to Nationals and can take much more pressure on the cone. It is to do with the way a Dobro cone works. Mostly on my square-neck Dobro I use 18 18 26 36 46 56, always tuned to high-bass G and variations of that tuning.

So as a rather long-winded route to answering your question "would I get away with upping the gauges to 16/59?" ....my answer is that on a new National Reso-Phonic Triolian you will be fine with 16/59s. You will either love them or hate them! My advice would be to try both types, phosphor bronze and nickel.

Shine On
Michael

[weareelemental]

Thank you Michael
I'll do just that and I may as well add some nickel 15-56 sets into the mix. Not that I'm at all unhappy with the sound and feel of my guitar as is. It's just nice to have more options to try out.
I also really enjoyed the back story you added. It is exactly the type of information that I have found myself lost in, whenever I've thought of asking or posting something.
Now to order some strings......😃

[Michael Messer]

My pleasure, Gordon.

Best wishes

Shine On
Michael

[purpleorange]

I have tried most of the MM string options on my Triolian (open D & G) and the 15 - 56 PB MM strings are my favourite.

[weareelemental]

And they may well be mine too, but I know I'll have fun trying out the other options. Even if I end up going straight back to them it will be time and money well spent. I tend toward heavier gauge strings on guitars, 13s on teles&strats in standard tuning for example.
I appreciate your input and I cannot fault the current strings at all. I'm a firm believer in 'just because it isn't broke, doesn't mean you shouldn't play around with it' 😜

[bonzo]

Hi Gordon, you've had all the best advice you're going to get anywhere! When Michael, the guy who's name is on the packet gives you a heads up you know it's the gen!
Just wanted to say if you're experimenting with the Newtone strings don't trim them until you're sure you want to leave them on the guitar. (They unravel once trimmed). You might already know this, but if not at least you'll have the option of transferring them to another guitar!
Best wishes to you all, John

[weareelemental]

Cheers John
I clocked that on the directions and admit to being sceptical. Then I read all the posts on here and thought better of chancing it. Judging by the sets I've had so far, they are worth the slight awkwardness involved in stringing this way. As for the advice I have received and read in these pages. Wow
The wonderful people on here sharing their experiences and wisdom is awe inspiring and I've never come across the likes before. 🙂

[weareelemental]

My strings came today
I cannot believe the difference from the 15/56
I feel like I did when I was a kid and got my Marshall superlead
'No mum, I promise I won't play it loud in the house'
Now I'll have to convince my wife, it's her imagination when she asks
'Darling, does your national sound much louder?'
MM 16/59 PB from here on in for me.
Thank you all for your contributions 😃