What string gauges work best with an archtop (aka. Jazz Box)?
The key objective in archtop string performance lies in the bridge. Unlike solid body guitars and semi-hollow guitars, the archtop guitar has it’s bridge simply rest on the top of the guitar. Getting the strings to transfer sound to the top of the guitar requires a heftier string with more mass. Typically, anything under .012 gauge will struggle to get adequate sound transfer the top sound board.
