American Roots Monel Acoustic Guitar Strings

American Roots is our Monel set. Monel is a nickel and copper alloy, and it sounds nothing like bronze: warm, dry and focused, with the top-end shimmer pulled back and the fundamental pushed forward. Notes sit where you put them instead of blooming into overtones.

That makes it a recording string first. It sits cleanly in a mix, it doesn't fight a vocal, and it suits old-time, folk, roots and anything where you want the guitar to sound like wood rather than metal. Players who find bronze strings too bright or too scooped tend to stay on Monel once they try it.

Choosing a gauge

.012–.053 (AR1253 Light) is the most versatile of the three and the one to start with — balanced for both strumming and fingerstyle. .011–.052 (AR1152 Pro Light) is lighter and easier under the fingers, which suits fingerstyle and a softer touch. .013–.056 (AR1356 Medium) adds tension, volume and a stronger fundamental for heavier strumming.

Gauges

M marks a Monel wound string.

How American Roots compares to our other acoustic sets

American Roots is the driest and most vintage-leaning set we make for acoustic. Phosphor Bronze is warmer and fuller with more sparkle on top. Golden Bronze 80/20 is brighter still. Royal Bronze is the richest and most projecting. CRT Coated Phosphor Bronze is the long-life option, and Semi-Flat Silencers 80/20 cut finger noise.

Made in the USA.