Can I use phosphor bronze strings on a gypsy jazz guitar?
Thanks for visiting ParkGuitars.com! If you are using Internet Explorer, there are features on this site that may not work properly. Please consider trying Firefox. It will change your life and this site will look much better. A. You will not hurt the guitar by using suitable guages (.10, .11) of bronze wound strings. However, the classic sound of these guitars is obtained with silver plated copper or steel strings. Part of this is historical: silver plated copper or steel was the current string technology in the earlier years of Jazz guitar, and it is integral to Django’s sound. Tradition aside, most players using Maccaferri style guitars prefer the sound and response of silver plated copper or steel. Bronze, Brass or other bell-related metals can produce some tonal depth and sustain not offered by silver plated copper strings. However, these qualities do not necessarily play to the strengths of a Maccaferri style guitar. Based on experience and anecdotal evidence, Bronze wound and Si
A. You will not hurt the guitar by using suitable guages (.10, .11) of bronze wound strings. However, the classic sound of these guitars is obtained with silver plated copper or steel strings. Part of this is historical: silver plated copper or steel was the current string technology in the earlier years of Jazz guitar, and it is integral to Django’s sound. Tradition aside, most players using Maccaferri style guitars prefer the sound and response of silver plated copper or steel. Bronze, Brass or other bell-related metals can produce some tonal depth and sustain not offered by silver plated copper strings. However, these qualities do not necessarily play to the strengths of a Maccaferri style guitar. Based on experience and anecdotal evidence, Bronze wound and Silver plated Copper wound strings also seem to have different attack/decay envelopes. Silver plated Copper seems to have a slighter quicker response, which is ideal for these guitars and also the approach to playing in Gypsy Jaz
