theflyingturtle Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I have a question for all of the vintage Gibson owners. A pre-war J-45 is at the top of my list. In my experience I like medium string on a Gibson jumbo. Are there any indicators that medium strings on a vintage Gibson is a bad idea? Unnecessary? Annual neck resets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Pre-war J-45? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayoubengal1954 Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Pre-war J-45? Â Yeah. That would have to be a J-35, correct? But in answer to the OP's question I have a '48 J-50 and use Medium Strings with no issues. I do tune down a half step though, which reduces the tension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 13-56 is all I will use on my SJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boyd Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I use the bottom 3 strings from a medium set and top three strings from a custom light set on my 1965 J-50 with no problems and no tuning down. In fact, sometimes I actually tune up. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichG Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I have mediums on my 1939 J-55. I see no ill effects so far. I had been using lights (12) but switched recently and I like the sound better. JP PB strings. The neck relief looks ok which is a good thing because the nut on the truss rod is frozen😳  But, I think it depends more on the condition of the guitar whether or not it will tolerate heavier strings.  Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I've always been tempted to try 13's on my old L0 and L00 but the tops are so light I fear the stress at standard tuning would work on the belly without me catching a problem before it was too late. The bridge hole for that string can hardly accommodate the .54 diameter as is, much less get the pin to ease in there just snug but not tight. I think Gibson is trying to tell me something with that size hole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I often put together my own sets of strings. But when I use straight mediums on my '42 J-50 and '46 LG-2, I stick with strings wound on a round core such as Newtones or DR Sunbeams. Next time I order strings I am going to give the new Curt Mangans a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scriv58 Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Santa cruz medium tension on my "46 southern jumbo, before that gibson j-200 medium strings. Really like the santa cruz, don't feel a need to try any others on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Mediums on my '57 J-50, Mediums on the J-45 Legend. So far. so good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I often put together my own sets of strings. But when I use straight mediums on my '42 J-50 and '46 LG-2, I stick with strings wound on a round core such as Newtones or DR Sunbeams. Next time I order strings I am going to give the new Curt Mangans a try. Â Â DR Sunbeam mediums are the same gauge as most lights, but with a slightly heavier low E. It's a really nice combination, giving slightly more bass punch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars68 Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I use mediums on my 1942 J-45. When I had the guitar restored by Willi Henkes, of Antique Acoustics, he said mediums are fine and the guitar was built to take the tension. Willi is one of the worlds's most knowledgeable experts on old Gibsons. With all that said, I never take any chances with any of my guitars and always tune them down at least one full step when not used. Â Lars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainpicker Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Wow Lars, I didn't know Willi Henkes restored your J-45. How fortunate for you and what an honor. I find his take on all things guitar to be illuminating to the nth degree. I especially like his insights into European spruce. There are a few guys in the guitar world I'd love to sit and talk to over some beers and he is at the top of the list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars68 Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Wow Lars, I didn't know Willi Henkes restored your J-45. How fortunate for you and what an honor. I find his take on all things guitar to be illuminating to the nth degree. I especially like his insights into European spruce. There are a few guys in the guitar world I'd love to sit and talk to over some beers and he is at the top of the list. Â Yes, I am very glad Willi took my guitar on. It all started when I asked him to evaluate my guitar based on pictures and information from the seller. He adviced me to buy the guitar and said the price was very good and the issues minor. He actually said if I didn't buy it, he would. He then kindly agreed to help me with some repairs and a health check. I also think he got a little curious because the guitar is an early 1942 model, which is a little different from later guitars. Without his help, I doubt I would have dared to buy the guitar long distance the way I did. Willi was a pleasure to deal with, and I would love to visit his workshop one day and get a chance to meet him in person and thank him for all the help. Â Lars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Depends on what they are used for. For mid 30s Js -- which are every bit as strong as old D-28s and D-18s but very rare -- mediums. You need that power to make them sing. Â Â Both of the RW guitars -- the 36 AJ and 35 RSRG -- always get medium. I mean you would not put lights on an old D-28. Occasionally I will put lights on the 35 Jumbo -- it is as good as old D-18s with mediums, but it makes a much better finger picker because of its Gibson midrange. Â These are also 30s Gibsons -- used mostly for fingerstyle gospel, traditional folk, blues, old time and folk revival. They get light 80/20s. Â Â The 40s stuff are not strong enough for power bluegrass and traditional mountain stuff, so they get lights like the small Gibsons from the 30s. The one exception is the 43 RW SJ, which gets medium 80/20s -- the last of the old Gibson power RW guitars.. Â Â The 50s and 60s get lights. Â Â Â My wife (and me too I guess) have some bare fingerstyle stuff from our wasted youth in the 60s. We occasionally set up some with extra lights for that. Â We use lights and extra lights on these. The KG-11 is always out as a bare finger couch guitar. Â Â In case you have not figured it out, IMO and IME they can all take mediums. So we string and set them up according to use. Â Best, Â -Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 I'm gonna' faint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olie Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 I'm gonna' faint. No feakin' kidding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 I've never really felt the need for mediums on older Gibsons. To me, they fit mostly with bluegrass where you want the boom and volume, and that's more the province of Martin instruments - and Martins respond very well to mediums in that circumstance. Gibsons have always given me a more nuanced response than have Martins, and I believe that diminishes as strings get heavier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 I've never really felt the need for mediums on older Gibsons. To me, they fit mostly with bluegrass where you want the boom and volume, and that's more the province of Martin instruments - and Martins respond very well to mediums in that circumstance. Gibsons have always given me a more nuanced response than have Martins, and I believe that diminishes as strings get heavier. Â I agree with that mostly -- but you are allowed to do both. Â Best, Â -Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuestionMark Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 I used to only use Mediums, then for about 15-20 years only used lights (12s). Now, I occasionally put on a set of Mediums, then switch off to 12s, then back to Mediums, back to 12s, etc. Â Life needs to be a bit of an adventure... Â QM aka Jazzman Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theflyingturtle Posted January 6, 2017 Author Share Posted January 6, 2017 Excellent! Thank you to everyone who replied and help set my mind at ease. I will play meds. on my Gibsons till I can't do it anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Excellent! Thank you to everyone who replied and help set my mind at ease. I will play meds. on my Gibsons till I can't do it anymore. Â What kind of meds will you be prescribing for your Hummingbird ? Careful of the side effects and possible dependence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayoubengal1954 Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 What kind of meds will you be prescribing for your Hummingbird ? Careful of the side effects and possible dependence. Â I believe the OP was speaking of buying a vintage J-45, not an HB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theflyingturtle Posted January 6, 2017 Author Share Posted January 6, 2017 Well, I have my heart set on an old J-45 or LG-2 although if something else catches my heart on the way then.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambler Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 DR Sunbeam mediums are the same gauge as most lights, but with a slightly heavier low E. It's a really nice combination, giving slightly more bass punch. For my purposes, I like to beef up the low end with a .13 for bottlenecking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.