Who uses med. strings on vintage Gibsons?

[jedzep]

Being pretty much committed to tuning down to D....D on my old small bodied guitars in order to open up a couple more vocal keys, I feel/hear the cut-off point for string tension/top response often during playing, as subtle as it is. My L0 has such a nice neck angle after the reset a couple years ago that I even get a third fret first string buzz if the room humidity is slightly damp. I've solved it all by stringing all three guitars with Dunlop 80/20 13's, despite my fears. The tops have come to life at the tuned down key and my old hands aren't dogged. It's like a NGD at 6 bucks a pop.

[Dave in SLC]

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. :)

 

Have you ever tried the John Pearse medium-light sets? They have exactly that combination, although I don't know whether they'll have the same diameters as what you are choosing. Now that I think about it, I think this is how D'addario creates a medium-light set as well..

 

Dave in SLC

[Dave in SLC]

tpbiii,

 

An absolutely amazing collection .. "Let's pick" - indeed!

 

Best regards,

 

Dave in SLC

[mking]

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.

 

You really put mediums on your LG-2? I have a 1947 and it is so light, so lightly built, I would be afraid it would hurt it.

 

It isn't a vintage guitar but I use mediums on my 2007 J-45TV.