Info on strings for new Resonator

superbadj · June 27th, 2008, 01:31 PM

Hello all,

My sister, younger brother, mother and I just bought a Fender FR48 Resonator as a surprise gift for my older brother, who is coming home after spending the last 15 months dodging bullets in Baghdad & the Diyallah province.

I always have a huge July 4th shindig at my house, and he's getting here on July 3, so we'll surprise him with it then. It's just a "thank you for risking your life" and a "welcome home" sorta thing. He's always been into resonators, and I found a great deal on a cherry FR48.

So, I need to polish the thing and set it up nicely, but what sorts of strings to people traditionally use? Flatwounds? Rounds? I know there are resonator packs.....larger sizes, especially on the treble strings.

Just looking for info. I really don't know much about these things, but my brother isn't really technically proficient (funny, since he commanded a Stryker in the Army) and never really sets up his guitars. So I need to get that right before we give it to him.

TIA--

jim

FMA · June 27th, 2008, 01:41 PM

On my resonators -- an old National and newer Dobro -- I use just medium gauge phosphor bronze strings, the set with a 13 for the high e. They work for me.
And pass on our thanks to your brother for his service and let him know we're all glad he made it home safe and sound. That's a very nice gesture you guys are making.

superbadj · June 27th, 2008, 01:52 PM

Thanks for the info.

Yeah, we're all proud of him. And really freaking glad he came back in one piece, both physically and (as far as we can tell) mentally.

I'm excited to give him the guitar. It was my other brother's idea, and we all split the costs. It'll be a fun surprise. A small token, really.

WallyArms · June 27th, 2008, 04:02 PM

The Fender website says it ships with .012-.052 phosphor bronze strings. A lot of reso folks will say that is too light, bit I use Martin .012-.054 SP phosphor bronze strings on my Regal RD-45 (round neck) reso. I think most of the sets labelled for resonator are intended for squareneck reso's. I tried the Martin Reso strings, but they were too heavy (for my taste) for non slide playing.

ednew · June 27th, 2008, 04:03 PM

I'm with FMA on my National resorocket--a good set of .013 medium gauge (National/ M. Messer or Pearse for example sound great and last and last.

Dobro gauge is higher and I like John Pearse's #3100 reso/acoustic steel (phosphor bronze wound):

D-1st 016
B-2nd 018
G-3rd 027W
D-4th 039 W
B-5th 049 W
G-6th 059 W

Congratulations and kudos to your brother. His service is much appreciated!

Ed N.

superbadj · June 27th, 2008, 04:06 PM

Cool. I'll see what the local shops are carrying....

June 27th, 2008, 01:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
superbadj Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: roanoke, va Age: 34 Posts: 539	Info on strings for new Resonator Hello all, My sister, younger brother, mother and I just bought a Fender FR48 Resonator as a surprise gift for my older brother, who is coming home after spending the last 15 months dodging bullets in Baghdad & the Diyallah province. I always have a huge July 4th shindig at my house, and he's getting here on July 3, so we'll surprise him with it then. It's just a "thank you for risking your life" and a "welcome home" sorta thing. He's always been into resonators, and I found a great deal on a cherry FR48. So, I need to polish the thing and set it up nicely, but what sorts of strings to people traditionally use? Flatwounds? Rounds? I know there are resonator packs.....larger sizes, especially on the treble strings. Just looking for info. I really don't know much about these things, but my brother isn't really technically proficient (funny, since he commanded a Stryker in the Army) and never really sets up his guitars. So I need to get that right before we give it to him. TIA-- jim

June 27th, 2008, 04:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
WallyArms Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: TN Posts: 938	The Fender website says it ships with .012-.052 phosphor bronze strings. A lot of reso folks will say that is too light, bit I use Martin .012-.054 SP phosphor bronze strings on my Regal RD-45 (round neck) reso. I think most of the sets labelled for resonator are intended for squareneck reso's. I tried the Martin Reso strings, but they were too heavy (for my taste) for non slide playing. __________________ Save The Hymnals!

June 27th, 2008, 04:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
ednew Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Whidbey Island, WA Age: 61 Posts: 432	I'm with FMA on my National resorocket--a good set of .013 medium gauge (National/ M. Messer or Pearse for example sound great and last and last. Dobro gauge is higher and I like John Pearse's #3100 reso/acoustic steel (phosphor bronze wound): D-1st 016 B-2nd 018 G-3rd 027W D-4th 039 W B-5th 049 W G-6th 059 W Congratulations and kudos to your brother. His service is much appreciated! Ed N. Last edited by ednew; June 27th, 2008 at 04:06 PM. Reason: hit send button prematurely

June 27th, 2008, 01:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
FMA Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1,116	On my resonators -- an old National and newer Dobro -- I use just medium gauge phosphor bronze strings, the set with a 13 for the high e. They work for me. And pass on our thanks to your brother for his service and let him know we're all glad he made it home safe and sound. That's a very nice gesture you guys are making.

June 27th, 2008, 01:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
superbadj Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: roanoke, va Age: 34 Posts: 539	Thanks for the info. Yeah, we're all proud of him. And really freaking glad he came back in one piece, both physically and (as far as we can tell) mentally. I'm excited to give him the guitar. It was my other brother's idea, and we all split the costs. It'll be a fun surprise. A small token, really.

June 27th, 2008, 04:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
superbadj Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: roanoke, va Age: 34 Posts: 539	Cool. I'll see what the local shops are carrying....