REPLACEMENT STRINGS FOR CE-100 D ARCHTOP?

[swanage]

Hi there,

I’m a Guild owner new to the site and have been enjoying browsing back through the threads, but there’s one piece of extremely trivial information that I can’t find...

I’ve recently bought a 1980 CE 100 D arch-top electric – it’s currently got a set of very heavy flat-wound strings on it which I’d like to change for a lighter set. The owner’s manual recommends Guild E-210L “Vibraphonic” light gauge, but of course they don’t make those any more. The manual says “you’ll find detailed string specifications, including accurate gauges, listed in the Guild Strings and Accessories Catalog” – has anyone got a copy of that handy that they could check for me? I need to try and figure out the nearest modern equivalent to the E-210L.

Failing that, if anyone could recommend a decent light set for this guitar I’d be grateful.

Thanks,

Swanage

 

[dklsplace]

Are you wanting to stay with flat wounds? Thomastik Infeld has several options that are great in a medium/light string. Keep in mind flat wounds have less tension on the neck when tuned to pitch than round wounds, so you can get away with heavier strings

 

[walrus]

Hi swanage - you may want to decide if you want a wound third, if so, there are less choices. A wound third would be particularly nice on your archtop if you have a wooden bridge.

I use D'Addario EJ20's on my X-50. These are "jazz extra light", with a wound third. I currently use them on my X-50. Here's a link:

http://www.daddario.com/DADProdDetail.a ... Class=AABA


I have never seen them in a store, but have gotten them via www.musiciansfriend.com, or www.juststrings.com.

You may end up trying some different sets looking for the one that feels and sounds right for you...

Good luck!

walrus

 

[walrus]

Sorry for that bad link on the EJ20's...

Here is one that works!

http://www.daddario.com/DADProdDetail.a ... Class=AABA

walrus

 

[guildzilla]

As Jeff suggests, presuming your guitar has its original rosewood bridge (not an adjust-o-matic type), you'll get the most accurate intonation using a string set with a wound G string.

I like going a little heavier than Jeff on the theory that more tension on the top brings out more of the woody acoustic tone potential of these older Hoboken archtops. I've been using Ernie Ball light nickel strings (.11-52).

 

[swanage]

Thankyou all for the suggestions!

My guitar does have the original rosewood bridge so it sounds like a wound G might be a good idea.

Wouldn't rule out a roundwound set...

Swan