String suggestions for acoustic/electric archtop

[John McDonald]

I just finished a neck reset on this old 50's Kay and was hoping to get some guidance on string selection. I have my go to's when it comes to stringing up all manner of acoustic guitars but since this is more of an electric? Also, I plan to put this guitar on consignment in a local guitar shop when its finished, so I'd like the strings to be something that would appeal to a wide range of players.

[Thomas James]

My preference is usually to string something like that with .011 gauge nickel strings. Nice guitar!

[Paul Verticchio]

A beautiful guitar, John. Kudos.

I second the motion for electric style strings. As suggested, 11's would be perfect. Flat wounds would be period correct. It seems that archtops with flatwounds move out of the door faster than those with round wound strings. The comfort factor of flatwounds seems to assist in the sale :)

Good luck with the consignment. If I were "in the market", I'd be sending you a personal message :)

[John McDonald]

Thanks guys!  It is a fine looking specimen isn't it...I'm sure I'll be trying to talk myself into keeping it once I get it strung up and playing ;)

Looks like I'll be picking up some 11 gauge nickel flat wounds.