So here is my question on this much discussed topic. I just took possession of a beautiful A Lawrence Smart GBOM, 20-1/2" scale length. Koa back and sides. What would be the closest sets to Lawrence's numbers? And do NB sets even exist?
So here is my question on this much discussed topic. I just took possession of a beautiful A Lawrence Smart GBOM, 20-1/2" scale length. Koa back and sides. What would be the closest sets to Lawrence's numbers? And do NB sets even exist?
Pictures please?
1924 Gibson A Snakehead
2005 National RM-1
2007 Hester A5
2009 Passernig A5
2015 Black A2-z
2010 Black GBOM
2017 Poe Scout
2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
2018 Vessel TM5
2019 Hogan F5
Gorgeous instrument.
Not all the clams are at the beach
Arrow Manouche
Arrow Jazzbo
Arrow G
Clark 2 point
Gibson F5L
Gibson A-4
Ratliff CountryBoy A
Thanks for the kind comments about this mando. Lawrence's craftsmanship is lovely. And back to my original question about string gauges. And I know this question is like a broken record. As I mentioned Lawrence "thought" the string gauges when the mando left his shop were 0.047, 0.031, 0.024, 0.013. Those sounded a little odd to me and since then trying to find those gauges has not been successful, especially if I wanted to try Nickel Bronze. So I'm open to suggestions.
NB would only be used for the lower three courses. I think they exist in guitar sets. I would contact D’Addario and see what they can do. Easy to take out ball ends if you need loops.
Jim
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19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Is there a way to determine the gauges of stringds on my octave now? I have a micrometer but no reference chart to compare. If that mskes sense
Is that Smart GBOM the one that was for sale at Elderly? I was at the store for my first and probably only time a few weeks before it was listed, so unfortunately, I missed out on the chance to play it, but I'm sure that it's tremendous! I did get to play the Sobell OM there, which was absolutely stunning, but far out of my price range.
FWIW, the gauges on the D'Addario EJ80 set are 46, 32, 22, 12. So, Lawrence used slightly heavier G, A, and E, but a slightly lighter D string.
still trying to turn dreams into memories
Yes it is the Smart GBOM that was at Elderly. When looking around for the same strings it occurs to me that Lawrence may have been guessing from memory what strings he used. So far I haven't found the exact gauges he mentioned, so the EJ80's might be worth a try when it's time to change. I would also like to find some Nickel/Bronze string--ball ends-- that might work, too. Lawrence did mention how much he likes NB strings on his own guitar. What I have fallen in love with is the scale length which makes it possible to use regular mandolin fingering in many, but not all cases. Also I don't find the shorter scale length has much bearing on the tone, which is gorgeous. And of course Lawrence's craftsmanship is so good.
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