Question for the Archtop or 575 guys

[Kuz]

I am LOVING my new 575 but have a couple questions.

 

I have a 525 that I have 11s on (unwound 3rd) and it sounds even across all strings and tonally perfect.

 

I realize that an archtop is going to sound a little different. I don't know what strings it came from Wolfe's, but they are much bigger (definitely 12s, maybe 13s).

 

So my questions are:

 

-1) It sounds just a little boomy on the 6th string (and yes I have adjusted the pickup height and fine tuned the pole pieces). Would dropping down from 13s to 12s (or 12s to 11s) would it even the string-to-string volume (boominess)?

 

-2) Would dropping down a string size allow me to lower the action even more? (she plays great and is really nice and low now, but I like the FEEL of the 11s on my 525)

 

-3) I adjusted the intonation on my rosewood fixed floating bridge (no tune-a-matic on top of the bridge) but moving the entire bridge back and forth, and all are PERFECTLY intonated except the 3rd (sharp) and the 2nd (flat). Is there any other way to dial these two strings in or is it just a compromise with out the tune-a-matic?

She sounds in tune up the neck by ear, but I didn't know if there was any other tricks.

 

-I never checked the intonation on my Golden Eagle or Sweet 16 when I had them because they sounded in tune up the neck by ear as well.

 

 

THANKS FOR YOUR RESPONSES & HELP!!!!

 

John

[big bob]

the 575 is made for 12's. I've had everything from acoustic 14's to 10's on mine and I always come back to 12's. an archtop will always sound boomy, thats why you got it, especially with the maple top.

as for the intonation, play with it. My 575 intonates perfectly.

[LH575]

the 575 is made for 12's. I've had everything from acoustic 14's to 10's on mine and I always come back to 12's. an archtop will always sound boomy, thats why you got it, especially with the maple top.

as for the intonation, play with it. My 575 intonates perfectly.

 

10's here. Bar bridge installed. No intonation issues.

[DC Ron]

Think you're going to find there's no single right answer. I use 13's on my Super Eage, 12's on my Eagle Classic and 10's on my Roy Clark. Each has great intonation, action and balance across the strings. This takes a bit of work and is different for each guitar. A good source of archtop setup is here. Archtop.com usually have a Heritage or two in their drool-inducing inventory as well--always worth a look. Good luck!

[Gitfiddler]

Sometimes the intonation sounds perfect on an archtop, even when a tuner tells you it is slightly off + or -.

 

Unless you install a t.o.m. bridge atop your wood base, or invest in a new, fully compensated bridge, that will remain an issue. I agree with others here, try a higher gauge string for starters. Another possibility could be a tall 12th fret that needs to be leveled.

 

Good luck and enjoy that beauty.

[FredZepp]

Others here know much more about archtops than I do, but my 2 cents...

I would change to strings that you are comfortable with. I am one of those that like the playability of lighter strings (to a degree) on my guitars, even acoustics . Although I do have a mix of med or light on different axes.

I just lighten a set on one of my 150's and am very glad that I did. It plays as well as any '59 LP out there now.... and it's fun to just rip into it..

[iim7v7im7]

John,

 

Typically you will find that wooden bridges do not perfectly intonate as you found and you establish a compromise position. That being said, there are sets of strings that do not intonate well (some Pyramids and DRs to name a few). I recommend Thomastik Infeld strings for archtop instruments. Either the Bebops (round wounds) or Swings (flat wounds). I currently play a Swings, medium light (0.012-0.050) on my Sweet 16. These strings seem to have lower tension feel than say a set of D'addario Flat Wound Lights .012-0.052. These values are from the Juststrings.com website:

 

Swings ($17.43)

 

0.012 - 22.8 lb

0.016 - 22.8 lb

0.020 - 24.6 lb

0.027 - 24.1 lb

0.037 - 22.8 lb

0.050 - 23.3 lb

 

D'Addarios ($8.80)

 

0.012 - 23.3 lb

0.016 - 23.3 lb

0.024 - 30.0 lb

0.027 - 27.9 lb

0.037 - 28.0 lb

0.050 - 22.7 lb

 

The Thomastiks have more even tension and in my experience last longer. They also intonate as well as any string. But they are expensive (I believe worth it). I would try a set of these or the bebops on your 575.

 

I would also (if you have not already) take a piece of paper as a feeler guage and see if you can slide it under your bridge in any place to see if the underside contour matches the sound board. I recently had to re-profile my ebony bridge on my Sweet 16 because the top has settled a bit over the last decade. It sounds much better acoustically now. The two screw posts go all the way through on mine and are difficult to reshape (need a rasp) because they do not sand as easily as the ebony). Hopefully your instrument does not need this adjustment.

 

Given that your instrument has a shorter scale, these strings should feel great in my experience. I would strongly encourage you to give these a try before going down in size. In terms of low action, a Plek job is the way to go if that is important to you. I personally prefer a medium/low action. Are you playing jazz with it? How do you like the Seth Lovers?

 

Best,

 

Bob

[Kuz]

I talked with Ren today and he said to try some new strings and if the intonation still isn't there (and trust me it's not that far off) that he would cut me a new individualized bridge to offset the imbalances I have.

 

NOW how is that for customer service!!!!!!

[smurph1]

I talked with Ren today and he said to try some new strings and if the intonation still isn't there (and trust me it's not that far off) that he would cut me a new individualized bridge to offset the imbalances I have.

 

NOW how is that for customer service!!!!!!

SWEET!!

[big bob]

Kuz check this out

http://cgi.ebay.com/FENDER-GUILD-ARCH-TOP-...5#ht_500wt_1182

[Kuz]

Kuz check this out

http://cgi.ebay.com/FENDER-GUILD-ARCH-TOP-...5#ht_500wt_1182

 

Thanks but if I am going to add "metal", I'd go with a tune-a-matic.

 

Thanks for your input, though.

[big bob]

Thanks but if I am going to add "metal", I'd go with a tune-a-matic.

 

Thanks for your input, though.

just thought it looks cool

 

this would probably be the best sounding

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailp...one_Saddle.html

[iim7v7im7]

I agree with Ren try a different brand and set of strings first. What are you using?

 

I talked with Ren today and he said to try some new strings and if the intonation still isn't there (and trust me it's not that far off) that he would cut me a new individualized bridge to offset the imbalances I have.

 

NOW how is that for customer service!!!!!!

[SouthpawGuy]

I have 12s' on mine, which has the tom bridge which was a request of mine, gives me the option to use lighter strings if necessary.

 

[LH575]

Thanks but if I am going to add "metal", I'd go with a tune-a-matic.

 

Thanks for your input, though.

 

They have a different sound than a tune-a-matic, both metal, but the bar bridge adds more presence and a bit more twang. I really like the sound of them. Then again, I'm not looking for a true jazz tone. They are not for everybody. Nice to have options though.

[DeLorean]

just thought it looks cool

 

this would probably be the best sounding

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailp...one_Saddle.html

 

They need to get the name of that right. That is a Foley Bone Top, Stewart Macdonald is buying them from AllParts (Bill Foley worked with AllParts to get them made). We used to make them by hand, it is much easier this way. :-}

[Kuz]

I think I know the easy solution here to my slight issue. It will be very easily resolved.

 

I played "Amber" tonight at band rehearsal and she sounded GREAT!!!!!

[BrianToth]

I replaced the bridge on my Sweet 16 with a tone pros attached to the original base. I also put in a single coil Fralin P-92 pickup because I find that humbuckers are too muddy and boomy for me. It still sounds very mellow, but I like the separation in the bass strings.

 

Just another option.