Resonator Guitar Strings
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About Resonator
Resonator strings are built for a different job than a flat-top acoustic. A resonator has to drive a metal cone, so the set runs heavier and starts with two plain strings instead of one: .017 and .018 on the top, up to .056 on the bottom. That extra mass is what gets the cone moving and gives a resonator its volume and bark.
All three of our sets are medium .017–.056. What you choose between is the wrap, and that is what changes the sound.
Choosing a set
Nickel (DBR1756N) is the balanced one — warm, focused, controlled on the low end, with a smooth feel under a slide. Stainless (DBR1756S) is brighter and more aggressive, with harder attack and more cut, for players who need to be heard in a band or want maximum presence for slide. Silencer 80/20 (DBRGL1756) is our semi-flat set for resonator: the bright 80/20 voice with a polished surface that reduces string noise, which matters when you are recording or moving a slide a lot.
Gauges
| Set | Gauges |
|---|---|
| Nickel Medium .017–.056 — DBR1756N | .017 .018 .028pw .036pw .046pw .056pw |
| Stainless Medium .017–.056 — DBR1756S | .017 .018 .028ps .036ps .046ps .056ps |
| Silencer 80/20 Medium .017–.056 — DBRGL1756 | .017 .018 .028gl .036gl .046gl .056gl |
The first two strings are plain in every set. pw marks a nickel-plated wound string, ps a stainless one, gl a Silencer semi-flat.
How Resonator compares to our other acoustic sets
These are the only sets we make specifically for resonator guitars, and the heavy .017 top string is why — it is not a gauge you would put on a flat-top. If you play a squareneck in open tuning, start with Nickel. For a roundneck played in standard tuning as well as slide, the same set works. Our flat-top acoustic lines start with Phosphor Bronze.
Frequently asked questions
What strings does a resonator guitar use?
Resonators use heavier sets than a flat-top, with two plain strings on top (.017 and .018) up to .056. That extra mass drives the cone. All three of our sets are .017–.056. See resonator guitar strings.
Nickel, stainless or Silencer: which resonator set should I choose?
Nickel (DBR1756N) is warm and balanced. Stainless (DBR1756S) is brighter, with more cut. Silencer 80/20 (DBRGL1756) has a polished surface that reduces string noise, which helps when recording or moving a slide.
Squareneck or roundneck: do I need different strings?
If you play a squareneck in open tuning, start with Nickel. A roundneck played in standard tuning and with a slide can use the same set. See squareneck vs roundneck strings.
Why are resonator strings heavier than flat-top acoustic strings?
A resonator has to drive a metal cone. Our resonator sets start with .017 and .018 plain strings, gauges you would not put on a flat-top, and that extra mass is what gives a resonator its volume and bark. For flat-top guitars, see our Phosphor Bronze sets.
Made in the USA.