What Acoustic Strings Were Used in the Late '60's?

[Paul in Colorado]

What strings did acoustic players use? I listen to folk albums from back then and the sound is so different to my ear. I didn't own an acoustic until the '70's and I used Martin Marquee strings. But what were the popular strings back then? I'm thinking Beatles, Donovan, Dylan, all the folkies...

[David Barnett]

As far as The Beatles go, it would appear they used electric strings on their J160E flattops, Pyramid or Selmer nickel flats.

[RickG501]

"I listen to folk albums from back then and the sound is so different to my ear."

Paul, I don't think strings have changed a whole lot from back then. Not as much anyway, as the recording technologies and process. Recording the sound of acoustic guitars has changed a bunch. Gone are the days of over processed 1-4 track analog recording.

[musicalmartin]

I used Epiphone heavy strings on my Harmony Sovereign as did my fellow folkie music partner who actually had a Epiphone .Epi guitars were 3rd after Martin and Gibson in quality .Harmony Sovereign's , and only the Sovereign, was 4 th . Others used Martin strings but Epi strings certainly improved my Harmony for about 1- 2 weeks and then needed replacing.Martins didnt sparkle so well as Epi heavys .This would be 64-69 ish period.My battered Sov still lies on the wardrobe top fermenting away.Other strings such as Selmer and others I forget ,were duller from memory but the Harmony was not a Martin and needed some help .It did sound very good though ,certainly professional enough to keep up with the big boys, if needed, on folk bashes.We ended up playing New Lost City Ramblers style, bluegrass and such.

[younkint]

I recall an interview with Lightfoot a few years back where he discussed this. I read this online. It was not that long ago, since he mentioned how much better the sound was since he (and the band?) started using the Buzz Feiten Tuning System. Perhaps you can Google it with that info. It's possible it was an interview given just before he had the artery burst. Anyway, it was quite informative. Now I'm sorry I didn't save it.

[Bluesbob]

I had a Harmony Sovereign and my friend had a Guild. Guild made their own strings (as did Gibson), but we usually used Black Diamond strings because they were cheap and available. In my circle of friends, Guild was considered a "poor man's Martin". Nobody I knew played Epiphone or Gibson acoustics. All I wanted was a Guild like my Buddy's.

[woodman]

they say if you can remember the '60s, you weren't really there, and ya know what? i can't remember! i do recall using Black Diamonds in the early-mid '60s, but seems like something better was out by the end of the decade. the Black Diamonds were notorious for coming unwrapped and inflicting puncture wounds on your fingertips.

[David Barnett]

Black Diamond, Gibson, Martin, those were the usual suspects back then. Later in the decade Fender had acoustic strings too. As the '70s rolled in, Ernie Ball Earthwood became a major player as well.

[bigdaddyweed]

I also used Black Diamond strings, heavily recommended by the owner at the local "Gospel Book and Music" store. But from what I know now, he might have been pushing them because he made a better profit on 'em than other strings he carried.

later........weedman

[hockey_head]

black diamonds and labella were pretty available and marqui's were for the "rich" when i was a kid.