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Thread: Need Lighter Gauge Strings for Gibson A!!!

  1. #1
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    Default Need Lighter Gauge Strings for Gibson A!!!

    I just bought a 1936 Gibson A-Century mandolin (pictured with me below).

    I had an extra set of new Gibson Bill Monroe Bronze strings (.011 .015 .026w .041w) that I use on my Bluegrass mandolins, and they sound great on those.

    Anyway, I had the A model re-strung with those when it was setup, but I think they're too heavy for that mandolin. I use this mandolin to play Italian style tremolo, and I think they need a very light gauge.

    What do you suggest? All suggestions and advice welcome!
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  2. #2
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Need Lighter Gauge Strings for Gibson A!!!

    I used GHS A250's when I had my Flatiron pancake, gauges were 10/15/24/36.

    Cheers,
    Jill
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    Registered User Tom Wright's Avatar
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    Default Re: Need Lighter Gauge Strings for Gibson A!!!

    Love the Thomastik flats for low tension. Light (weich) is .009 I think, .014, .020, .030. I use them for orchestral rep on a rather brash quasi-celtic mandolin that just feels hard to play with medium rounds. Don't understand why my Weber with identical scale length feels easy with mediums, but it's probably something about response.
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    Default Re: Need Lighter Gauge Strings for Gibson A!!!

    D'Addario has two sets you might check out: One set is J62 (.10, .14, ,24., .34)--the d and g strings are 80/20 bronze. The second set is J73, which is phosphor bronze (.10, .14, .24., .38). The GHS strings mentioned are also very high quality as are the Thomastiks. The flatwound Thomastiks will likely sound sound less bright then the other two, but that isn't necessarily bad depending on a player's taste.

  5. #5
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Need Lighter Gauge Strings for Gibson A!!!

    +1 on the A250s I got them on my '21 A.
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  6. #6
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    Default Re: Need Lighter Gauge Strings for Gibson A!!!

    This mandolin is unusually bright sounding, to me anyway.

    Thanx for the suggestions; keep `em coming!

  7. #7
    Horton River NWT Rob Gerety's Avatar
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    Default Re: Need Lighter Gauge Strings for Gibson A!!!

    I have two sets of Curt Mangan Medium Lights - 10-14-24-36 that I will never use (they are the last two from a box I bought quite a while back and I have switched to medium strings on both my mandolins). They are similar (but better in imho) to D'Addarios. Yours for the postage. PM me if you would like them. They are really nice strings. PB wound. Last a little longer and have a little more depth of tone than D'Addarios in my opinion.

    I would be surprised if extra light strings like some you are considering will get the top on that lovely mandolin of yours moving the way you want it to move. But, no harm in trying I guess.

    Did you take a look at the transverse brace just south of the sound hole? That brace is commonly loose on these vintage A models. Not a big deal to fix - but it does make a difference in the tone and in the strength of the top.
    Rob G.
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  8. #8
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    Default Re: Need Lighter Gauge Strings for Gibson A!!!

    Elixer 9 13 20 32 - last a long time and with the coating your fingers glide over the strings.

  9. #9
    Registered User Rodney Riley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Need Lighter Gauge Strings for Gibson A!!!

    How about the Martin M400's or their Bluegrass M450's if you want a little heavier.

    Set Gauge E-1/2 A-3/4 D-5/6 G-7/8 Tension
    M-400 Mandolin .010 .014 .024 .034 146.8



    Set Gauge E-1/2 A-3/4 D-5/6 G-7/8 Tension
    M-450 Mandolin .011 .014 .024 .038 163.4

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Need Lighter Gauge Strings for Gibson A!!!

    Guys-

    I almost went with Rob's offer ... but because of time I had to re-string it today. I have a performance on Saturday night.

    I went with the Martin strings (.010 .014 .024 .034) because I could get them quickly where I live. Sound and feel great!

    Everybody was very helpful with their suggestions!

  11. #11
    Registered User Rodney Riley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Need Lighter Gauge Strings for Gibson A!!!

    I love the Martin Bluegrass set. Tried a set of J74's and one D string broke at about 3 weeks. Only Martin string that has ever broke was an E string when I was changing a set and bringing it up to pitch. I just change them usually about every 3 or 4 months when I just do it because... Hope the M400's will stay clear sounding for a long time for you.

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