Acoustic Strings:

The Master Class series are designed for Acoustic guitars and were the original strings to feature Round Cores.
* Available with a wound 3rd on request.
Available as standard in Phosphor Bronze, they are also available in 80/20 Bronze and Nickel.

Michael Messer worked with us on designing a series of strings specifically for National Guitars. These strings are designed to have perect when playing in regular or open tunings.
At first sight, these gauges seem very heavy indeed. By utilising a principle used in the 1920's that having a round central core rather than a more modern Hexagonal equivalent. Greated string life and easier playablity can be achieved.
All guitars sound better with heavier strings, the problem is playing them! Michael Messer National guitar strings tune to pitch at lower tension than other guitar strings of the same gauge.
If you are gong to play in high tuningslike E or A, it is advisable to use our light gauge set.

A Double wrap of Phosphor Bronze over a Round core gives hese strings a unique feel and sound. They are warm and melow without the string squeal of single wrap strings.

These Electro Acoustic strings feature a Nickel wound 3rd, whilst the rest of the wound strings are Phosphor Bronze with all being on Round Cores. The advantage of having a Nickel wound 3rd is the improved toal transition from the Phosphor Bronze to the plain 2nd and 1st strings when strumed. Whilst the Nickel is brighter than Phosphor bronze, it is less so than the plain strings. There for there is a gradual increase in brightness, rather than a jump from the wound to plain strings.

These strings have been made specifically for Resonator guitars. Adapted to suit the tunings used by slide players you will find they have a well balanced tone and tension across the set.

The Gitane & Django strings are designed with the bright jazz sound in mind. The Gitane are a Nickel wound string on Round cores, while the Django are either Nickel or Silver Plated Copper. Variations in core-to-wrap ratios between the Gitane and Django series give slight tonal differneces between the two. Although they were designed with this style of instrument and style of playing in mind, they suit any standard guitar if you are looking for a bright sounding, low tension set. Also available in Phosphor Bronze upon request.

Although the Aloha have the same gauges making up the set as the National Mediums, they are very different. They are still on Round cores, and wrapped with Phosphor Bronze but they have lighter cores speciffically designed for 'Slack Key' tunings to avoid damaging the neck of Weissenborn, hollow neck style instruments.

These strings are a completely new range which are designed to have a reduced and virtually equal tension on each string. They are made on Round cores with unique core-to-wrap ratios, so the gauges which match up with some of our standard sets are not the same at all!

There are several advantages of using these strings. Vintage guitars, light braced guitars and people who have problems fretting due to arthritis or tendonitis can use these strings without worrying about twisting or uneven pulling on the bridge. Low tensions also mean ease of fretting.

Gordon Giltrap has given us his first impressions of the strings:
"Anyone who has spent time playing the acoustic guitar will testify to the fact that string gauge and action can make all the difference in the world to how an instrument can respond. I have spent most of my playing life trying to get my guitars to play as easy as possible, and have spent many hours experimenting with different string gauges and coming to the conclusion that it really is a play off between tonality and playability, but at long last here is string that gives the player the best of both worlds.

I have never been a 'muscular' player with the strength that some players are naturally born with, so for me these superb low tension strings are a God send, giving a great sound with a wonderful ease of playing. Enjoy the feel of an electric on your chosen acoustic and experience the difference."