I bought a pack of prototype strings at a guitar show in the late 80s. The guy said they were made using a new technique that meant they would last forever- and sure enough, they're still on my guitar to this day and sound as fresh and bright as they did the day I put them on.
@guitargearconnection No, it was just one guy with a small stand at a guitar show in London and I threw away the packaging since I had no idea I would still be playing the same set 40 years later!
I've always gravitated toward 11-52 with an unwound 3rd (11-14-18-32-42-52) on my gretsch guitars. What I noticed about the vintage 'chet' set is the B string is actually the same thickness as a typical unwound G in a modern 10 gauge string set!
Nice and interesting video Paul. I use Rotosound Pure Nickels on my Tennesse Rose and Duo Jet, and Rotosound British Steels on my Country Gentleman. ✌🏻🎶 Greetings from Brazil. Happy new year!
Def gonna use some of this great info to re-string my Country Classic. Looks like you can select your own custom gauged set of monels on the Curt Mangan site, just need to buy 4 sets.
I used 12-52 fender flat wounds cause that what the guy who had before me used , then after a few yrs I experimented Dean markley 10-48, too light . got Black diamonds flat wounds think it was a 56 on the bottom, now I use Daddario Chrome 11- 50, sometime i just change the top 3 if they get rusty I get an 11, 14, and a wound 20 it's not Flatwound but it plays good stays in tune.
@guitargearconnection I'm guessing chet Atkins demanded MONEL alloy? That is very unusual to use MONEL alloy on strings I wonder why chet Atkins knew about MONEL and recommended it
In the 50’s, Monel was a very popular material to use for guitar strings. Even Gibson’s round wound string sets would say “Mona Steel” on all the inner sleeves for years, named after Monel….even if the string set was nickel! It’s actually very unusual more companies don’t make Monel today, as seeing it controlled the market back in the day.
@guitargearconnection I didn't know that Gibson Mona steel were using MONEL. I think squire strings was bought out by fender first then CBS took over squire strings which was the first to have nickel plating strings which started in 1968? No one used nickel plated guitar strings before 1968. The surf era guitarist only used squire "pure nickel" not nickel plated. I think dick dale only used squire pure nickel strings from 1957-1965, correct me if I'm wrong?
![5 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT GEORGE HARRISON'S GRETSCH TENNESSEAN + Tone Demo [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gw_9sXph6dM/mqdefault.jpg)
I've been watching Paul on GTE and this is my first Paul video. This video is answering decades of questions!!
Welcome! I hope you enjoy the channel!
Fantastic work, Paul. I use Pyramid flatwounds on my '64 Gretsch 6120. It really came alive for me once I switched from roundwounds.
I bought a pack of prototype strings at a guitar show in the late 80s. The guy said they were made using a new technique that meant they would last forever- and sure enough, they're still on my guitar to this day and sound as fresh and bright as they did the day I put them on.
Interesting! Do you remember the manufacturer?
@guitargearconnection No, it was just one guy with a small stand at a guitar show in London and I threw away the packaging since I had no idea I would still be playing the same set 40 years later!
Fantastic work 👏
Thank you! Cheers!
As well awesome video have a great day also happy holiday season Paul also happy new year ❤😊
Thank you and happy new year!!!!
@guitargearconnection you welcome also I will quit UA-cam in 2025
I've always gravitated toward 11-52 with an unwound 3rd (11-14-18-32-42-52) on my gretsch guitars. What I noticed about the vintage 'chet' set is the B string is actually the same thickness as a typical unwound G in a modern 10 gauge string set!
Want to try some modern Monel strings to see if they give more of that 60s sound. Great video dude, thanks!
Thank you!!!
Thank God for your work!
I appreciate that!
Really interesting video Paul!
Many thanks!
@@guitargearconnection No problem!
Nice and interesting video Paul. I use Rotosound Pure Nickels on my Tennesse Rose and Duo Jet, and Rotosound British Steels on my Country Gentleman. ✌🏻🎶
Greetings from Brazil.
Happy new year!
Happy New Year Thomas! The Rotosounds are great strings 👍👍👍
Nice video Paul 👍
Thanks!!!
Def gonna use some of this great info to re-string my Country Classic. Looks like you can select your own custom gauged set of monels on the Curt Mangan site, just need to buy 4 sets.
It’s awesome they do custom sizes!
I used 12-52 fender flat wounds cause that what the guy who had before me used , then after a few yrs I experimented Dean markley 10-48, too light . got Black diamonds flat wounds think it was a 56 on the bottom, now I use Daddario Chrome 11- 50, sometime i just change the top 3 if they get rusty I get an 11, 14, and a wound 20 it's not Flatwound but it plays good stays in tune.
How is nobody talking about how he makes a Tennessean look small?!?
Kind of wish string companies would add the another pair of the 2 highest strings now. definitely a good idea by Gretsch
I think roto sound “guitar” strings come with an extra bottom in each pack. Not many do that
Rotosounds come with an extra high e string
Great Job!! Happy 2025!!
Happy New Year!!! Thank you!!!
All 50s and 60s gretsch strings were wrapped with MONEL instead of nickel? Or only the chet Atkins 672 gretsch strings?
672’s.
@guitargearconnection I'm guessing chet Atkins demanded MONEL alloy? That is very unusual to use MONEL alloy on strings I wonder why chet Atkins knew about MONEL and recommended it
In the 50’s, Monel was a very popular material to use for guitar strings. Even Gibson’s round wound string sets would say “Mona Steel” on all the inner sleeves for years, named after Monel….even if the string set was nickel! It’s actually very unusual more companies don’t make Monel today, as seeing it controlled the market back in the day.
@guitargearconnection I didn't know that Gibson Mona steel were using MONEL. I think squire strings was bought out by fender first then CBS took over squire strings which was the first to have nickel plating strings which started in 1968? No one used nickel plated guitar strings before 1968. The surf era guitarist only used squire "pure nickel" not nickel plated. I think dick dale only used squire pure nickel strings from 1957-1965, correct me if I'm wrong?
10-52 D'Addario NYXL
Love D’Addario! All I use pretty much!
If these strings sold for $6 per set in the late 60s, as the label indicates, they would cost about $55 in 2024 dollars.
Strings were very pricey back then, especially Gretsch strings.