Acoustic archtop owners, what strings do you use?

[shihan]

Here’s my 1935 L-50. I currently have Monel strings, 12-52, on it. I’m using Monel primarily because that’s what is recommended by the instructions that came with my DeArmond ‘monkey on a stick’ pickup. I like them fine; although I’m considering going to 13’s, mainly for more acoustic volume.
I’d like to hear what others are using, and why. Particularly interested in hearing from anyone using flats.

 

[GGJaguar]

For strictly acoustic playing on my 17" archtops, I've settled on DR Sunbeam 12s. These provide good volume, rich tone and enough zing in the top end to be satisfying. Monels are nice, but the tone is smoother with less zing in the top. The fall between phosphor bronze and nickel flats. For a more aggressive sound, I'll use a hex core phosphor bronze string (D'Addario, Pearse, DR), but that isn't very often. I don't like 80/20 bronze strings on the archtops (too raspy and they die more quickly). I haven't found 13s add much more volume on 17 inch archtops, but I have no experience with 16" acoustic archtops like your L-50. I won't use flats unless I plan on playing the guitar through an amplifier. When I do, it's almost always T-I Swing Swing Jazz 12s though sometimes I'll use T-I Benson 12s (if they are on sale).

 

[shihan]

GC Jaguar, thanks; I was hoping you’d post. I know you have an extensive collection, and much experience with experimenting with different strings. In my limited experience so far, I totally agree about the 80/20 bronze; did not like the tone. I’m going to add the DR strings to my ‘must try’ list.