Gibson 1916 mandolin

[Lou Nutini]

I just purchased a 1916 Gibson A1 mandolin in excellent condition. The carved spruce top is simply marvelous with no detectable indication of sinkage. I'd like to use D'Addario J74s (.011-.040). Any advise regarding use of strings of this gauge and potential effect on this wonderful 95 year old carved top would be most appreciated

[Ned Knepp]

This is the brand and gauge of string I use on my early 20's Gibson. It's not quite that old but close enough. The short scale of a mandolin helps keep the tension manageable when compared to a guitar.

[Lou Nutini]

Thanks Ned, can it be said that a crack free carved spruce top of this age has pretty much locked in its shape and given continued proper care and humidity control should keep it?

[Frank Ford]

Absolutely.  Gibson mandolins of that vintage are generally capable of handling the heaviest strings with no problems, and have done so for nearly a hundred years by now.  Those with sagging tops are a different deal, and generally need reinforcement even for lighter strings.

 

As with any instrument of that age, it's a good idea to keep an eye out for loose joints or other signs of structural issues, but there's little cause for worry.

[mike carne]

I've used those strings on WW1 Gibson mandolins,no probs,but those strings are meant for F-models.I could never get oval hole mandolins to work in Bluegrass Bands,so I would be inclined to find what gauge Gibson sold at the time. 

[Lou Nutini]

Thanks Mike, definitely agree on the bluegrass limits, we'll use this for celtic and folk.

[Frank Ford]

While it's true that F-HOLE style instruments are better suited for bluegrass, there has been lots of bluegrass played on oval hole instruments by such luminaries as Curly Seckler and Everett Lilly.

 

That said, neither the F-hole or F-style body instrument is necessarily better able to handle heavy stringing compared to  the  equivalent A-style or oval hole mandolin.  I'd base my choice of strings on tone and playability.

 

Pre-1910 Gibsons, those with structural issues, and other lighter built instruments are better off with light strings, of course.

[Lou Nutini]

Thank You for your comments Frank. Little doubt remains, the J74s will go on tonight! Excellent Forum!