View Full Version : What strings for 1926 Gibson A-JR
DorothyD
May-14-2004, 2:30pm
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
May-14-2004, 8:25pm
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
May-14-2004, 9:10pm
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
May-14-2004, 11:02pm
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
May-15-2004, 8:26am
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
Andy Morton
May-15-2004, 10:00pm
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
May-16-2004, 7:40am
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
May-16-2004, 12:20pm
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
May-16-2004, 12:22pm
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
May-16-2004, 1:26pm
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
May-16-2004, 1:34pm
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
May-19-2004, 11:11pm
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.