String Gauge on a Sweet 16 and G string preference

[bluesky]

Hi, I am planning on re-stringing my old Sweet 16 and want to go w/ 11-52's on it. Can anyone chime in on the benefits of going w/ a wound or unwound G string ?? Kind of a newbie to Jazz. I was told by heritage that they use GHS round wounds. Thanks !!

[byrdland]

Hi. I have a Sweet 16 with Gibson L-5 strings in 12 gauge. They are round wound. I also use L-5 10 gauge strings on a Byrdland. The 10 gauge set has an 18 gauge wound G. I replace it with an unwound 17 gauge. You might find an unwound G that will match up with an 11 gauge set. You might not. I believe I've seen some 10 1/2 gauge sets with an unwound G. Personally, I wouldn't put an unwound G on the Sweet 16. It works on the Byrdland, but I use that guitar for all sorts of music. I wouldn't use the Sweet 16 for overdriven stuff. I'm not really concerned with bending the G string that much on the Sweet 16. I've considered putting 11's on the Sweet 16 but the 12's sound so good, I haven't made the change. If you could find an unwound 18 gauge G string, it might match up well enough to fit the 11 Gauge set, if that's what you really want.

[Ned]

Welcome to the forum. I'll be the first to suggest that you attach a picture to your next post - we seem to be a visual lot. You can find my guitar in the gallery.

 

I am running 12s with a wound G. My understanding is the wound string intonates better on the bridge. I have not tried unwound but I will say that intonation is excellent according to my strobe application. As for the GHS strings, I will be interested if your experience matches mine - I used them for a while but had inconsistent volume with my floating PU. (note, mine is a 1991 Sweet 16 and so I am using an older generation PU). I switched to DR strings and all is even. I would still class this a coincidence rather than causality and I am too lazy to do a proper a/b experiment. Please report back what you learn about this and intonation.

 

Post often!

[bluesky]

Thanks guys.

 

Ned what model DR's and what are the gauges in the 12- ?? set !!

 

Jeff

[Ned]

I'll double check when I get home, but I am pretty sure it is these:

 

http://www.juststrings.com/drs-phr-12.html

 

They seem to last a good while too.

[iim7v7im7]

I would see which gives you better intonation. My Sweet 16 has a non-compensated bridge so it is always a bit out. I prefer a wound G. It also seems to be a bit closer to being intonated properly, I play Thomastik-Infeld Bebop and Jazz Swing .013s. Dont let the gage scare you. They have very low tension for their gage.

 

Good Luck,

 

Bob

[byrdland]

As far as DR strings. I do have DR's on an acoustic guitar, and two basses. They are excellent strings that last a long time. I just haven't tried any on my archtops.

[DetroitBlues]

I guess when it comes to the strings, are you bending them or just picking/strumming them? I would think an unwound would be better for bends, or should I say easier. Being a blues/rock guy, I tend to get a little crazy with my G string... wait a sec, that didn't sound right.... I mean the G string on my guitars.

[BrianToth]

I use D'Addario flatwounds 11s with a wound G on my Sweet 16. The bending isn't terribly bad, although I usually use my Prospect for music that requires a lot of bending. I have used an unwound G and don't like it at all. I did play the Sweet 16 once through a Matchless amp that was set up with a bit of dirt and it sounded fine. However as a disclaimer I need to mention that I have a tune-o-matic bridge on it, a Fralin P-92 for a pickup and the guitar is 1/2" thinner than standard.