What strings for 1926 Gibson A-JR

[DorothyD]

I just purchased a Gibson A-JR and I'm wondering if I should put light strings on it. I am used to medium strings but I am not sure what to use because of the age. (1926) Thanks to anyone who can help me out.
Dorothy

[MartinD_GibsonA]

Dorothy,

I've got a '24 A-Jr and I've received two different opinions on this. #The luthier who did some work on it for me when I first got it recommends using nothing heavier than a 38 on the bass strings. #Another luthier who worked on it later thinks that The Gibson Monels (I think they're now the Sam Bush strings; they run 40 or 41) are fine as long as the neck is OK. #His feeling is that if it hasn't moved in 80 years, it's not gonna move now. #I've chosen to "err" on the side of caution and I use either GHS A250s (which top out at 36) or A260s (which top out at 38). #Hope this helps.

Don Smith

[DorothyD]

Thanks, Don. I think I'll follow your lead and use caution, too. Do you like the sound you're getting from your mandolin? I haven't received mine yet but I'm very excited about getting a little piece of history. What kind of music do you play on it? I should have it in a few days.
Thanks again,
Dorothy

[atetone]

Dont all of the A Jr models have a reinforcing rod in the neck?
I realize that it is not an adjustable truss rod, but am not sure if it is the same diameter or strength.
I would assume that it is but dont know for sure.
Anyone have any further info on this??

[John Rosett]

i'm using the d'addario j74's on my '13 A with no ill effects.
i'm still interested in finding out what kind of string gauges and tension the strings had back when these mandos were made. anybody know?
john

[mando andy]

My luthier recommends the ghs 260s as the heaviest to use--I have a '21 A-2. I would be careful of the J-74s.

Andy

[mandowilli]

I have also been using the A-250's on a couple of teen Gibsons. The bass strings sound fine but I have taken to changing out the E to an .011, and it seems to balance the sound out much better.

willi

[MartinD_GibsonA]

Dorothy,

I absolutely *love* the sound of this old A-Jr. #It's not much to look at -- plain brown -- but the tone is very round and warm, and open chords just ring out. #I play pretty much anything on it: bluegrass, old-time, blues, fiddle tunes, pop, country, folk, even rock. #I'm not one of those who believes that you can only play particular styles of music on a particular style of instrument. #You have what you have and you play everything on it. #As for the strings, I think I prefer the A250s because they tend to give a #little more "airy" tone than the A260s; the heavier set sounded a little "chunky" for my taste. #However, I think I might try Willi's suggestion of changing out the Es for something a little heavier than than the .010 that comes in the set. #Sounds like an interesting idea.

Don Smith

[MartinD_GibsonA]

Atetone,

Both of the luthiers I cited earlier tell me the old Gibson A styles have a non-adjustable ebony truss rod.

Don Smith

[DorothyD]

I thank all of you for your great suggestions. #I will now be ready when my A-Jr arrives. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Dorothy

[wdrysd]

Try the Monels at least once - they sound good on my Jr.

The shorter (and probably deeper - fretboad to back) neck is strong. Just watch the relief around the 7th fret to see if it increases over time. If it does - it can be planed out when you re-fret.

Wilson

[mandroid]

I use light 10,15,24,36 strings GHS A250 on my pre truss rod A and trussrod A4 too.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif
FWIW: Elderly sells 0.0105" loop strings for a slight up-guage shift.