strings for vintage gibson

[smokin]

hi,just wondered if anyone could recommend the best strings to use on a 1919 a2 gibson mandolin bearing in mind it is mainly used for solo playing.
thanks.

[jaycat]

I use J74s on my 1916 A. Don't know if they're the best, but they work for me. I also play mostly solo but have no trouble being heard with guitar accompaniment.

[fatt-dad]

I use the EXP 74s.

f-d

[mandroid]

I have 10-38 P Bronze on my non truss rod Gibson '22, A.. GHS A250 at the moment..
J73 are similar, I believe.

[jaycat]

Welcome to the Cafe . . . ask three members, get three different answers!

[fatt-dad]

Just as an aside. I tried the lighter gauge strings on my A3 and didn't like them (even though it's a non-truss-rod model). These non-truss-rod A-models have a wide and chunky neck that can handle the string tension of the J-74s. So, if you want light gauge strings, that's just fine. But, if you are worried about using mediums on a non-truss-rod Gibson A-model, I wouldn't worry about that.

There you go more opinion. . .

f-d

[G7MOF]

J74s for me too, I use them on my 22-A4.

[John L]

Welcome to the Cafe . . . ask three members, get three different answers!

Make it 4 and 4. I like newtones on my 1917 A-1.

[Pete Martin]

Monels are great on old Gibsons. Try the Sam Bush Gibson set.