Strings that are easy on the fingers?

**Jehu** · 07-22-2015, 06:52 PM

Hey folks, I'm building an acoustic archtop to give to my father as a gift, and I'm looking for some string recommendations.

His callouses aren't what they used to be, and he will be mostly doing quiet strumming of cowboy chords in first position. I plan to go as light and as low tension as I can while still driving the top, but of course there is a limit (I'm going to try as low as 10s, but that will be pushing it).

Apart from that, are there any specific strings or string types that you've found to be easier on the fingertips than others? Nanoweb? Silk n' steel?

**Max405** · 07-22-2015, 07:07 PM

Jehu, nice of you take care of pop like that. Way to go.
as far as acoustic strings, the Martin silk and steel are the easiest on the paws that I've ever used. I think your "paw" will enjoy playing them. Nice and mellow and spongy..
Joe D.

**Sufa** · 07-22-2015, 09:19 PM

Jehu,

I agree with Mr. DeNisco - the Martin 'Silk and Steel' strings are quite nice, and I would recommend them first and foremost, but I have some other inputs for consideration.

I've recently been experimenting with a few other string-types, mainly on a slightly temperamental (pitch-wise) Martin DM-12 (strung up with 6 strings). I tried D'Addario 'half-rounds' and 'Jazz Chromes flat-wounds' first. It was hard to tell a difference between half-rounds and electric guitar strings (I'm not really a fan of electric guitar strings on acoustics - my purpose with this experimentation was lessening string-noise and looking into a 'nylon-steel' hybrid feel/sound). The flat-wounds were actually not so bad, and they felt great! I helped an old friend with a very inexpensive Epiphone slim-body electric-acoustic, and she settled on the Jazz Chromes (she plays fingerstyle exclusively).

Ok, with that other stuff out of the way, my Martin is currently strung-up with a set of Galli Black Nylon tape-wound electric guitar strings (item numbers BN120 and BN140 for light (12-56) and medium (14-67), respectively). I'm very impressed by these strings. They sound great and 'acoustic-y' enough, whether played with a plectrum or fingers. Strings E-G are tape-wound, while B and E are regular steel strings.

Anyways, your project is of the most noble kind! I wish you the best. Take care. -Jesse

**Jehu** · 07-23-2015, 06:47 PM

Awesome, thanks for the suggestions.

I actually didn't know that Martin made Silk and Steel as well; it sounds like that could be a way to go. Interestingly, I notice that the overall tension is actually lower for that set (with an 11 e) than with the 10s in either 80/20 or phosphor bronze.

The Galli tape-wounds are also something to think about, but 12-56 seems to be the lowest they come and I wonder if that might be a bit much for him.

In hindsight a narrower nut nylon-string classical would have been more practical for him, but let's be honest, archtops are so much cooler!

**Eddie Lang** · 07-23-2015, 09:18 PM

My recommendation: Newtone Strings Heritage Series.

Newtone Strings: Acoustic Guitar Strings

"There are several advantages of using these strings. Vintage guitars, light braced guitars and people who have problems fretting due to arthritis or tendonitis can use these strings without worrying about twisting or uneven pulling on the bridge. Low tensions also mean ease of fretting."

**Jehu** · 07-24-2015, 12:25 AM

Those ones are news to me! Interesting suggestions, gives me a few things to think about.

Are any of these options particularly long-lasting? Once the strings are on the guitar, I can't imagine there will be a string change in the foreseeable future...

**bananafist** · 07-24-2015, 06:26 AM

I'll second the Newtone acoustic strings recommendation. I only play this brand now on my acoustics (arthritis in hands) and if you get their Heritage strings, they are lighter still on the hands, and very even tension across the set, (check out their website for the poundage). One thing with these strings, they are roundwound ie., outer wrap wound on circular not hexagon core, so fit strings and tune to pitch before snipping off the ends, or they could unravel.
I love 'em, and I'm old too!
Newtone Strings: Acoustic Guitar Strings

**Para** · 07-24-2015, 06:37 AM

I think there is currently a 3 to 5 week wait for Newtone strings, I was going to try some but with that sort of wait time I would have to buy in bulk and that's not going to happen to try them out I'll stick with TI's.

**bananafist** · 07-24-2015, 06:51 AM

Strings Direct usually carry them in stock, and their price is lower (I think) than direct from Newtone. Longest I've ever waited was 1 1/2 weeks. If they're out of stock they'll email you when back in. Very good supplier in my experience. No affiliation.

**jzucker** · 07-24-2015, 07:07 AM

another option is thomastiks, they have lower tension than anything else i've used but I don't know about their acoustic strings. My experience is with the electric, primarily the JS series

**SamBooka** · 07-24-2015, 10:27 AM

I know you are asking about string recommendations but I have another question..

If you are building the guitar for him why not use a shorter scale length? you can make it a little wider at the nut for first position chords, and not have to use a light gauge string.

Just curious

**bananafist** · 07-24-2015, 11:23 AM

Sam Booka - or like me, shorter scale, wider nut and lighter strings!
As BB King is supposed to have said to Billy Gibbons "Why make it harder for yourself".

**spiral** · 07-24-2015, 11:57 AM

Sufa stole all of my suggestions! Good post.

Chromes can sound good on an acoustic and feel much easier to play. Even 13's feel slinkier than roundwound 12's, in addition to being gentler on your fingers. It's worth trying.

I've not tried the Galli tapewound on acoustic, but have on electric and they are very soft—I thought the 12's felt like 10's. I think the gauge is measured after they are wrapped with the nylon, so the effective gauge may be much lower. They may be a little dark on an acoustic.

I've not tried these either but: D'Addario "Flat Tops" ... which are bronze flatwounds (technically, groundwounds)
D'Addario Strings : Acoustic Strings : Flat Top Phosphor Bronze Wound

**Para** · 07-24-2015, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by bananafist

Strings Direct usually carry them in stock, and their price is lower (I think) than direct from Newtone. Longest I've ever waited was 1 1/2 weeks. If they're out of stock they'll email you when back in. Very good supplier in my experience. No affiliation.

I've always got my strings from Strings Direct their service is second to none.

**Bill C** · 07-24-2015, 02:20 PM

+1 on the newtones - 12s feel like 11s!

**mrcee** · 07-24-2015, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by bananafist

Sam Booka - or like me, shorter scale, wider nut and lighter strings!
As BB King is supposed to have said to Billy Gibbons "Why make it harder for yourself".

Yeah Buddy!I've gone from an A top with 12 half rounds to a Tele Thinline with rw 10s. Ed Bickert. Right?
I love the heavy strings but want the soft easy on the fingertips touch. I'd like to get it as soft as possible but don't want to go any lighter.
Any suggestions. Thanks

**bananafist** · 07-24-2015, 02:54 PM

I find Ernie Ball 10s softer than D'addarios on my teles. - But I am guilty of country bends too!

**Cunamara** · 07-24-2015, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by mrcee

Yeah Buddy!I've gone from an A top with 12 half rounds to a Tele Thinline with rw 10s. Ed Bickert. Right?
I love the heavy strings but want the soft easy on the fingertips touch. I'd like to get it as soft as possible but don't want to go any lighter.
Any suggestions. Thanks

Tune down a half step

**Longways to Go** · 07-24-2015, 09:24 PM

is it dumb if I suggest elixirs? they don't squeak + they last forever

**Engine Swap** · 07-24-2015, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by Longways to Go

is it dumb if I suggest elixirs? they don't squeak + they last forever

I have them on my Silvertone. The squeak went away after a few days. They play real easy and smooth.

**mrcee** · 07-24-2015, 11:41 PM

Thank you one and all.

**Jehu** · 07-25-2015, 06:02 AM

Thanks again folks. I think I'll order a few of these options and try them out.

Originally Posted by SamBooka

I know you are asking about string recommendations but I have another question..

If you are building the guitar for him why not use a shorter scale length? you can make it a little wider at the nut for first position chords, and not have to use a light gauge string.

Just curious

Yes, that was something I considered. The main reason is that it is only my second archtop, and I didn't want to change too many parameters at once. (I did go with a wider nut, though.)

**bananafist** · 07-25-2015, 07:25 AM

I find Elixirs very hard on the digits. Just sayin'.

destinytot · 07-25-2015, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by Eddie Lang

My recommendation: Newtone Strings Heritage Series.

Newtone Strings: Acoustic Guitar Strings

"There are several advantages of using these strings. Vintage guitars, light braced guitars and people who have problems fretting due to arthritis or tendonitis can use these strings without worrying about twisting or uneven pulling on the bridge. Low tensions also mean ease of fretting."

+1 for Newtone - excellent (personal) service.