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What's with Gibson Masterbuilt string guages?


grababanjo

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I got a new J-45 a month ago - loved it in the store - great feel and sound. Strings were factory original light masterbuilt. I wore the strings out and bought a new pack from the store - took it home and changed it and wasn't impressed with the sound - thought it was a bum pack and bought another of the same masterbuilt lights. Same thing. These other strings felt tight on the bass and wimpy in the mids. the trebles felt the same. The sound was off. I did some research - here's what I came up with -

 

There's two light gauge Gibson Masterbuilts out there - there's this one - 12 16 25 34 41 52 (I'm assuming this came on my guitar - and I loved them.)

Then there's this gauge - 12 16 24 32 42 53. These don't work for me.

 

Does anyone else notice this kind of thing? Fill me in - thanks!

Dan

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On my Southern Jumbo TV, the factory strings finally gave out and I replaced them with Elixers (12 16 24 32 42 53). These are decent strings, but expensive. So I, like you, purchased some Gibson MB 12's. (12 16 24 32 42 53). I haven't put them on yet 'cause I'm trying to use up all my Elixers first. I wasn't aware that Gibson had two different sizes of light gauge strings. I'm curious to know how my SJ will sound with the MB12's that I bought. On my next string change, I'll give you my feed-back!

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Gibson Masterbuilt come in 2 different types. There's Gibson J-200 & Gibson Masterbuilt.

 

I don't know the difference in gauges., but you can probably look that up and see. This may be the reason or not?

 

I myself like John Pearse PB / light Gauge.

 

E- 1st .012

B-2nd .016

G=3rd .024W

D-4th .032W

A-5th .042W

E-6th .053W

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Here's what I got from the Gibson product page?

 

Acoustic Guitar Strings

 

The type of acoustic guitar string that you use greatly affects the overall sound of your guitar. Nobody knows that better than Gibson Strings. We actually invented the first metal strings for guitar in 1927, and introduced the Phosphor Bronze alloy for acoustic guitar to the world in 1932! We make a full line of acoustic guitar strings that utilize the highest quality alloys to satisfy the most demanding player.

 

J-200 Deluxe Phosphor Bronze

 

Deluxe Phosphor Bronze Wound

 

J-200 Deluxe Phosphor Bronze strings are the very same strings that come on our famous J-200 Jumbo acoustic. They have an excellent ringing attack and presence, and will give your guitar a responsive voice that cuts through, thanks to the special Phosphor Bronze alloy. Vacuum sealed for freshness.

 

Style Model No. Gauge E-1st B-2nd G-3rd D-4th A-5th E-6th

J-200 Deluxe Phos Bronze SAG-J200UL Ultra Light .011 .015 .022w .032w .042w .052w

SAG-J200L Light .012 .016 .024w .032w .042w .053w

SAG-J200M Medium .013 .017 .026w .035w .045w .056w

Masterbuilt Premium

 

Phosphor Bronze Wound

 

Top-quality acoustic guitar strings designed specifically for Gibson Montana's flat top guitars. Masterbuilt strings help you pull the natural, expressive tone from your acoustic guitar. Each set is vacuum sealed for freshness and extended life.

 

Style Model No. Gauge E-1st B-2nd G-3rd D-4th A-5th E-6th

MasterBuilt SAG-MB10 Super Ultra Light .010 .014 .023w .030w .039w .047w

SAG-MB11 Ultra Light .011 .015 .022w .032w .042w .052w

SAG-MB12 Light .012 .016 .024w .032w .042w .053w

SAG-MB13 Medium .013 .017 .026w .035w .045w .056w

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The packages I have both labeled Gibson Masterbilt Premium SAG-MB12. The guages differ ' date=' as above.

[/quote']

 

Remember the rumor recently reported here that Gibson has stopped manufacturing their own strings? When I noticed a couple of days ago that "light gauge" sets changed from the gauges they have been forever -- well, almost forever -- to the same as D'Addarios (and a number of other brands), I started giving the rumor a little more credence. I'd call my sources at Gibson to see what I could find out, except I don't really want to know if it's bad news.

 

-- Bob R

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Remember the rumor recently reported here that Gibson has stopped manufacturing their own strings? When I noticed a couple of days ago that "light gauge" sets changed from the gauges they have been forever -- well' date=' almost forever -- to the same as D'Addarios (and a number of other brands), I started giving the rumor a little more credence. I'd call my sources at Gibson to see what I could find out, except I don't really want to know if it's bad news.

 

-- Bob R[/quote']

 

Both my sets of 12s say they are made in Elgin. You are right, though, Gibson no longer makes strings there. The string-making machinery was moved to Nashville, but string manufacturing has not resumed there, and it is not clear if it ever will. I can't remember whether D'Addario or Elixer is making the Gibson strings now, but it is one of them.

 

When this thread started, your idea of the switch from Gibson to another manufacturer making the strings as the reason for the change in guages in the 12s sets was my first thought, too. I posted that, but then revised what I wrote when I realized I did indeed have boxes of 12s with the two sets of guages. I believe that all of these packs are about a year old (so predating taking Elgin off line), but it may be possible some are newer, were manufactered by the new manufacturer, and old packaging (with made in Elgin) was used. However, I was told that the strings made by the new manufacturer did not say Elgin on them. Still, it may be likely Gibson was just using up the old packaging.

 

Red 333

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