Magma Flat Phosphor Bronze: Initial Impressions

[Mr.Woody]

Here you go!

[llew]

That's a very nice sounding Gibson! I might have to try a few sets of those? Thanks for sharing...

[mr. beaumont]

These might be fun on an acoustic archtop...going to try them.

Thanks for this, had no idea they existed.

[Mr.Woody]

Originally Posted by llew

That's a very nice sounding Gibson!

Thanks!!! I do love it

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

had no idea they existed.

Me neither until a couple weeks ago.

[phcorrigan]

I just put them on my HD-28V, replacing the Lifespan PB mediums (13-54). I like them enough to have ordered another set. Even though they are 12-56, they don't feel a lot different than the Lifespan mediums, except for the fact there is no, as in zero, string squeak when sliding up and down the neck.

The OP's video commented that they don't feel completely smooth, and I agree. I have D'Addario chrome flat wounds on my Gretsch electric, and the feel is different. Not worse or better, just different. As far as color goes, they do have a darker tone than most PBs, but I think that may have to do with the way they are manufactured.

Flat wounds, and I assume these "flat grounds," tend to last longer than round-wound strings, because they don't have the large spaces between the windings to trap dirt and grime. If they last at least half as long as the Lifespans I will continue using them.

[jimmy bookout]

^^^
I think you are correct. They are "Flat Grounds", normal Round wounds ground flat. The OP brought up a very important point. Like Optimas, the winding at the ball end is WAY too fat. Unless you are willing to route the string channel at the bridge, these will NOT fit most guitars. I can't understand why they do that...it's not like most guitars WILL handle that thick winding...reality is MOST guitars WON'T

D'Addario makes "ground wound PB's" and I use them on both my archtops, they are called "Flat tops", the lights (12-53) EFT-16.

[phcorrigan]

Originally Posted by jimmy bookout

Like Optimas, the winding at the ball end is WAY too fat.

That's a problem I have with the A string only on the set I've installed. The bridge pin does not fully seat. So far I've decided to live with it.

BTW, I had a similar problem with Martin Marquis strings on this guitar.

[Mr.Woody]

Yeah, I'm worries the other packs may have a string that'll be like that as well. I made an initial longer video of me actually trying to get it strung up. Every time I would tune the low e the pin would slide up. By the time I actually got it in tune, that pin was a good quarter inch higher than the others.

[ssjk]

this is a real question, not a snarky comment:

Is there any reason to worry about the pin projecting 1/4 inch other than the esthetics? Happens to me occasionally and I have always ignored it with no apparent ill effect, but maybe it's not seating properly.

[phcorrigan]

Originally Posted by ssjk

this is a real question, not a snarky comment:

Is there any reason to worry about the pin projecting 1/4 inch other than the esthetics? Happens to me occasionally and I have always ignored it with no apparent ill effect, but maybe it's not seating properly.

As long as the ball-end is properly seated under the bridge plate I don't think so. The pin should only pull up if this is not the case.

[Mr.Woody]

Originally Posted by ssjk

Is there any reason to worry about the pin projecting 1/4 inch other than the esthetics?

Not a snarky question. The biggest thing is that it gets in the way of my hand. I played with it like that for a few minutes, and it was super annoying.

[jimmy bookout]

Originally Posted by ssjk

this is a real question, not a snarky comment:

Is there any reason to worry about the pin projecting 1/4 inch other than the esthetics? Happens to me occasionally and I have always ignored it with no apparent ill effect, but maybe it's not seating properly.

Not snarky at all. The risk you run is this thick winding at the ball end chipping the bridge at the string channel (this happened on one of my Gardiners while trying to string up with a set of Optimas). Needless to say, I was displeased!

[jimmy bookout]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

These might be fun on an acoustic archtop...going to try them.

Thanks for this, had no idea they existed.

Jeff,
I use D'addario "Flat Tops" on both of my archtops. They are really good for that application, especially since they allow you to use Phosphor Bronze strings, assuming your magnetic pickup has adjustable pole pieces.
My Eastman Pagelli has an Armstrong 12 pole floater (the one MADE by Ken, not the Korean one) along with a Pickup the World under bridge piezo, wired in stereo.

[jimmy bookout]

Originally Posted by phcorrigan

As long as the ball-end is properly seated under the bridge plate I don't think so. The pin should only pull up if this is not the case.

But the string winding is sitting ON the string channel rather than IN the string channel as it should. This changes the break angle of the string over the saddle, will possibly chip the bridge (happened to me)...It's just a bad deal all the way around.

[EZYPIKINS]

Originally Posted by phcorrigan

That's a problem I have with the A string only on the set I've installed. The bridge pin does not fully seat. So far I've decided to live with it.

BTW, I had a similar problem with Martin Marquis strings on this guitar.

It's not the string.

Bend an angle at the ball, so the pin misses the ball when you install it.

The ball should be next to the pin, not beneath it.