What strings for a 1918 Gibson A4?

[1939Dodge]

Picked up a nice A4. Don't want to damage the top. Any suggestions for what strings to use?

[fatt-dad]

They'll handle j-74s just fine. I love the Heavy Thomastik-Infeld strings on my a3. They're expensive though and not for everybody.

f-d

[Pete Martin]

Try the Sam Bush Monels. They work great on old Gibsons.

[mandopaul]

I have d'darrio FW74 - flat wound strings on my '17 A. Sound great, and no string noise, they are somewhat like the Thomastik but less $.

[1939Dodge]

I have d'darrio FW74 - flat wound strings on my '17 A. Sound great, and no string noise, they are somewhat like the Thomastik but less $.

Thanks all! I have j74s on it now, just wanted to make sure it will handle it.

[spufman]

I like the J73s on my '18 A1. Has some top sink (brace recently re-glued), so I want to play it a little safe.

[Ken Waltham]

I put J74's on every mandolin I run across, from signed Lloyd Loar F5's to Gibson A's. They sound great, and cause no damage to anything.