Stu Pendous
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Posts posted by Stu Pendous
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Sonomatics were aways round-wound. The 340 Sonomatic Medium set was was .012-.056 up until sometimes during the 1970s. They originally had a .028 wound G, and then someone at Gibson woke up and lowered it to a wound .024. The most famous user being Pete Townshend, who tossed the wound G for a plain .016, and around 1972, changed to a .018. The Sonomatics sets were also available in .012-.057, .011-.056, and the 340L: .011-.052. In the early '80s, when the packaging was changed to blue on grey. the G string was raised to .025, and the D string was raised from a .032 to a .034. In the '90s the set number was changed to 900M, and eventually to L5 Mediums. For most of its existence, the Sonomatics were a pure nickel string. The Mona- Steel 240 set was was a Monel string .014-.056.
Gibson's flat-wound strings were called "Hi-Fi " stainless steel. The Medium 040 set was gauged .014-.058; the 040L Light gauge set was .011-.051. In the 1990s, they were relabeled "Flat Wires."
For many years, Gibsons guitars and basses came with a hang tag stating what strings were the guitars left the factory with.
Hope this clears up myths and misinformation.
Early Strings
in Gibson USA
Posted
As for the definition of Sonomatic
Someone in Kalamazoo i the '80s told me the definition, just prior to the relocation to Nashville. If anyone knows, please chime in.