Hello, new here! Need a string recommendation for an X50.

[Guildy as Charged]

Registered a few months ago but this is my first post! I have a 1973 D44M, a 1975 D25Ch, and a 1963 X50.

This post is mainly about the X50. I rarely play it and have gone years without touching it. I dug it out a while ago and have had fun playing around with it. It's condition and action are better than I remember, though the intonation isn't the best. What strings would the experts recommend? Should I use a wound G string! I can't even remember which strings I last used. Thanks!

D.J.
Cleveland, TN

 

[zizala]

Welcome!

I'm sure there will be different responses than mine......I prefer roundwounds but many play flatwounds....some like heavier strings, some use lighter. Ears, style of play, feel and the guitar and set up of course......all contribute to one's choice.
It might be best for you to try for yourself....strings aren't expensive.

I'm fine with 12-53 nickel roundwounds on my X-50...and in fact use them on all my electric Guilds and Gibson hollowbodies and archtops. I'll use D'Addario or John Pearse strings of similar gauge. These sets have wound G's.

Your guitar's intonation issues will likely be resolved by adjusting the bridge base position on the top.
These things can and do get knocked around, especially when strings are loosened.

z

 

[walrus]

When I had my X-50, I used D'Addario EXP EJ20 strings. These are "extra light jazz" strings, with a wound third. I assume you have a wood bridge, if so, a wound third works nicely.

walrus

 

[jmac]

I use round wounds because I can't find thin flat wounds.

Walrus, I'll have to look into finding those D'addario EXP EJ20's. How thin are they? The thinnest flatwounds I've found online were .010, and in the store the thinnest I found were .011.

When I play .009 (round wounds), my playing is markedly better than when I play .011 flat wounds.

 

[jmac]

oh by the way "Guildy as charged" is a GREAT log in name

 

[walrus]

Hey jmac, here's a link to the EJ20's. I've never seen any at a music store, only on-lne. It's the thin wound third that makes the set different I'd say.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor ... 6000000000

walrus

 

[AlohaJoe]

oh by the way "Guildy as charged" is a GREAT log in name

My thoughts exactly! :lol: Welcome, and I'd stick w a wound G. Post some pix of the X50.

 

[die Bullen]

Thomastik Infeld flat 11's are what I have on mine- perfect balance of playability and tone

 

[Guildy as Charged]

Thanks everyone for your recommendations, I will be ordering the strings in a few days when I order strings for my other guitars. Here are a couple pics of the X50. I bought it about 30 years ago for $125. I don't play it much but I think that is about to change.

I hope these images come through1

D.J.

 

[guildmann]

i gig with my X50 frequently and love D'addario Chrome 12's flatwounds. i never thought of using anything else

 

[Ravon]

i gig with my X50 frequently and love D'addario Chrome 12's flatwounds. i never thought of using anything else

Great looking guitar! Though I don't have an X50 I have to agree on the D'Addario Chrome Flatwound .012's. Its such a personal thing of course, but certainly within the last year I've experimented with several sets even when the strings didn't need changing and found that I've come full circle and have settled on the D/A's..... for now :wink: