Strings for metal body resonator (National type) guitar

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

I have a cheapo metal resonator guitar, an Orpheum OR20, steel body, nickel plated, biscuit bridge, maple saddle, round Neck.

pictures:
http://en.woodbrass.com/GUITAR+RESONATO ... ION+NICKEL

http://www.intersalg.no/?kjop=1&prodid= ... es/product

I play slide and fingerstyle.The only open tunings I use are A and E. What kinds of strings should I try?

[D Schubert]

I use true medium gage bronze-wound (0.013" and up) for open G and D. I'm guessing that you would want to start with light gage (0.012") if tuning 2 frets higher.

[Mike Perlowin RIP]

Back in the 60s, the Black Diamond company made gold flat wound over bronze strings that were absolutely perfect for national guitars. Unfortunately these are no longer made. Given the popularity of these guitars, one would think that somebody would start making them again. As far as I know, nobody has.

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

D,

Interesting you mentioned bronze because I was thinking bronze or stainless would bring out the best in cheap steel body resos because imho it's the highs that are lacking in cheapo steel bodies.


Mike,

Gold flatwound over bronze. Hmmm. Would anything be close to that now?

It's funny but I was thinking earlier today about Black Diamond strings and how they were the only string in my neighborhood 50 years ago, and 13 was the only gauge.

[Mike Perlowin RIP]

Gold flat wound over nickel. Not exactly the same as bronze, but they might be even better.

http://www.juststrings.com/pyr-gf613.html

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

IMHO there's nothing better than Pyramid, and that's a good price, which doesn't surprise me about juststrings.com. I buy all of my strings there.