Best strings for Dupont MD50

Charles Meadows · June 2018

I've got a great 1994 Dupont MD50. I've always used Argie 11s.

But I accidentally bought 10s this time and I actually like them better I think.

Any personal observations?

Scoredog · June 2018

Either, 11's easier to pick, 10's easier to vibrato...you might want to try the heavier gauge on the E and B strings and the lighter on the others so the guitar is a bit less plinky on the E and B... I do that sometimes.

jonpowl · June 2018

My Dupont MD-100 had a loose truss rod. **** did a quick repair and adjustment at one of our Bay Area Gypsy Swing Club meetings, so I switched from 11s to 10s, and love the way it plays. It might have been a little louder with 11s, but sounds more authentic with 10s. I normally play with Galli or Argies.

vanmalmsteen · June 2018

I love the slinky feel of the 10s but the 11s definitely produce more volume

Jazzaferri · June 2018

I pick the strings for their sound with whatever guitar I am playing.

Buco · June 2018

It might depend on the thickness of the guitar top.
My guitar has a very thin top and 11s sound too tense on it, they kinda suffocate the guitar, overdriving the top. Yeah it's probably louder but with 10s the guitar can breathe, relax and the sound is more open, pleasant to the ear, gets some nice overtones etc... So in my case it's a trade, one for the other and I decided I prefer the 10s.
I used to use high E 11 but lately I don't feel like I need that. I don't know if it's the particular strings or I changed my playing but high E 10 sounds fine.

Jazzaferri · June 2018

That @Buco is the essence of the string thing. The tension of the set, core, and winding all influence the tone. More tension = more downforce which when optimized gives the ideal performance of the individual top. Too much down dulls the tone and can start to warp things.