What gauge strings should I put on my Harmony Broadway acoustic guitar?

Question

I bought a 1940's Harmony Broadway archtop about a month ago for super cheap considering the shape it's in (amazing), but it's my first acoustic guitar and I don't know that much about acoustics. It came with very very light gauge strings from what I could tell, seemed almost like the ones I have on my electric which are about a .10. I'd like to, ideally, put some heavier gauge strings on, not super heavy, maybe some light acoustic strings (.13 I think), but here's the thing, the guitar doesn't have a truss rod... My question is, can I put heavier gauge strings on without risking warping or in someway damaging the neck?

I have some more questions about it too... Is it possible the reason that it had such light gauge strings on in the first place when I bought it because it has no truss rod? (maybe without the truss rod, high gauge strings would put too much tension on the neck and risk damage?) Or, could it be something else such as this guitar simply gets a better sound using light gauge strings.

I'm basically super nervous about the neck and preserving the guitar so any additional advice or tips for taking care of an old truss-rod-less acoustic would be greatly appreciated!!

Answer 1

Truss rods were not commonly put in guitars until the 50's I believe. High end guitars did have them, starting in the 1920's Gibson really started the use of them, having obtained a patent for it in 1921.



Some guitars did have "steel reinforced necks" but they were not adjustable.



I would not recommend using more than 11's on it. Maybe 12's but I wouldn't leave it sitting a long time with them tuned. Short term won't hurt it ...but one big reason those older guitars didn't survive were people sticking them in a closet or attic with the strings fully tightened.



You don't have to worry too much about "Bellying" since it has a tail piece. Also consider using "flatwound" strings on it since that is what was commonly used on archtop guitars.

Answer 2

If you're not sure then take it to a guitar tech and see what they think. Personally id put 11s on. id be tempted to put 12s on but would have to keep a close eye on the neck for bowing, the body behind the bridge for bellying and the bridge may be a risk of lifting ( possibly breaking off) .id be very cautious. I use 13s on my acoustics, one being a martin and the other a top spec seagull so they can handle the heavy strings. I don't think you're harmony could take the tension without causing damage. id lean towards 11s and have it set up with a medium action if you want to play it. most of the old vintage guitars I've come across have a very high action and some require a neck reset which is expensive. If it doesn't need a neck reset then have the action as low as possible without any buzzing or rattling. get a bone or tusq saddle installed. This will make the sound better even with the lighter gauge strings. how high is the action at the 12th fret btw?

Answer 3

I'm no expert on the history of guitars but I'm surprised it has no truss rod (maybe jcr will answer your question).



As I understand it, before the introduction of adjustable truss rods necks were either reinforced with non-adjustable metal rods and/or had more substantial necks made of better quality timber. The neck on a well-made guitar without a truss rod is no more likely to bend, it's just that no adjustments can be made if, over time, it does bend.



However, you have an old guitar that is in good condition and it would be a real shame to cause it harm. Perhaps the bridge and belly area is more at risk then the neck as, over time, it's common for the belly of a guitar to start to bulge and sometimes for the bridge to start to lift. The heavier the strings, the more likely this is to happen. Fitting very light strings reduces the risk of this and could even make "bellying" that has already occurred less noticeable.



I think I would want to have the guitar checked ou by a COMPETENT person and ask their advice. I think I'd fit a set of "elevens" if the guitar was up to it. I find "tens" too light on acoustic and it might be risky putting anything heavier straight on there.