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Thread: String gauge questions keep coming

  1. #1
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    Default String gauge questions keep coming

    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?

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  3. #2
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: String gauge questions keep coming

    Pictures please?
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    Default Re: String gauge questions keep coming

    Left out the string gauges Lawrence Smart thought were on the mandolin: 47, 31, 24, 13. And here are a couple quick pictures.
    Sorry they are sideways.Click image for larger version. 

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  6. #4
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: String gauge questions keep coming

    Gorgeous instrument.
    Not all the clams are at the beach

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    Default Re: String gauge questions keep coming

    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.

  8. #6
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: String gauge questions keep coming

    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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    Default Re: String gauge questions keep coming

    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

  10. #8
    Registered User Marcus CA's Avatar
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    Default Re: String gauge questions keep coming

    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

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    Default Re: String gauge questions keep coming

    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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