Recommended strings for Square Neck resonator

[David DeLoach]

I've got an RQ Jones square neck that I've hardly touched over the last few years. I need to restring it and tune it to open G.

Any recommendations on what strings to buy?

[Howard Parker]

You have choices.

My personal favorite is the D'Addario EJ42 set.

I'm sure others will chime in.

hp

[Aaron Balano]

I have used GHS (phosphor bronze, set 1650) for many years. They last a bit longer than the many other brands I have tried, and they sound great.

[John Viterito]

Asher Open "D" set. They work just fine for high bass open "G".

[Jim Sliff]

I've got an RQ Jones square neck that I've hardly touched over the last few years. I need to restring it and tune it to open G.

Any recommendations on what strings to buy?

If it's been sitting for years it needs to be set up by a competent resonator (not guitar) tech - the saddle and cone both compress and need to be reset- and the saddle and nut checked/re-cut for bar contact with no pressure; guitar techs generally set the bottom of the slots the same, which is backwards.

I prefer GHS Scheerhorn sets - but I always analyze the specific resonator's setup and basic tone using test sets before settling on anything. In most cases it also matters what you'll be doing - playing at home, jamming with friends, playing mic'd on stage etc. Different strings are besy for different uses.

[K Maul]

I like John Pearse strings. I’ve used both the phos bronze and nickel.

[David DeLoach]

If it's been sitting for years it needs to be set up by a competent resonator (not guitar) tech - the saddle and cone both compress and need to be reset- and the saddle and nut checked/re-cut for bar contact with no pressure; guitar techs generally set the bottom of the slots the same, which is backwards.

Thanks Jim, I'm sure you are correct about it needing a set up.

Anyone know a good resonator tech in the Nashville area?

[Jim Sliff]

If it's been sitting for years it needs to be set up by a competent resonator (not guitar) tech - the saddle and cone both compress and need to be reset- and the saddle and nut checked/re-cut for bar contact with no pressure; guitar techs generally set the bottom of the slots the same, which is backwards.

Thanks Jim, I'm sure you are correct about it needing a set up.

Anyone know a good resonator tech in the Nashville area?

Call Kelcey at Emmons; I trained him a few years ago, but if he can't do it he should know someone who can.

One of the critical mistakes guitar techs make with resonator is that the cut the nut and saddle slots at even height from the fretboard/body - correct for "fretting" instruments, but with a resonator the slots need to be cut so the TOPS are even. That way the bar takes very little pressure when playing multiple strings. as it is sitting flat on all the ones it reaches.

Wrong saddle shape and over-tightening of the tension screw are other "guitar tech" mistakes.

[Joel Day]

I put a new set of Black Diamonds on mine a few weeks back for a show I had, and MAN they are awesome sounding! Totally surprised…. Had 2-3 other players ask me about em and the sound.

[Craig Walters]

I use most any medium gauge set of accoustic strings and use the same gauge for both the first and second second strings, usually both .018's