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Bobw - Posted - 11/19/2009: 15:35:48
Does anyone know why Gibson banjo strings are currently unavailable?
Tried asking JDMC but got no reply. I thought maybe someone may have heard.
Edited by - Bobw on 11/19/2009 15:40:57
Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/19/2009: 15:48:31
The Feds found out they had some Madagascar rosewood dust in the string alloy formula....
Edited by - Bill Rogers on 11/19/2009 15:48:51
Dubz - Posted - 11/19/2009: 15:51:38
Good opportunity to try out D'Addario J61's ;-)
Bobw - Posted - 11/19/2009: 16:01:30
quote:
Originally posted by Dubz
Good opportunity to try out D'Addario J61's ;-)
Tried'em. Prefer the Gibsons.
Bobw - Posted - 11/19/2009: 16:13:59
I've seen that..... but they are a bit higher than JDMC or FQMS.
Was just wondering why they both seem to be unable to get them.
Axeman79 - Posted - 11/19/2009: 16:28:00
I don't think the wood issue would have dried up the string pipeline this early. I have to imagine that production continues as well.
Also, last week I purchased several sets of Gibson ES Mediums...so they are out there.
have you tried another supplier?
Axeman
Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/19/2009: 16:30:37
quote:
Originally posted by Axeman79
I don't think the wood issue would have dried up the string pipeline this early.
Uh, it was a joke.
Bobw - Posted - 11/19/2009: 16:36:21
quote:
Originally posted by Axeman79
I don't think the wood issue would have dried up the string pipeline this early. I have to imagine that production continues as well.
Also, last week I purchased several sets of Gibson ES Mediums...so they are out there.
have you tried another supplier?
Axeman
I know they can be found...I was just curious as to why two of the biggest suppliers of Banjo strings can't seem to get them. Or choose not to. I was wondering if anyone heard.
Dale Farmer - Posted - 11/19/2009: 17:09:20
Probably just a coincidence but I've only used Gibson strings three times in my 30+ years of playing and all three times a string broke while putting them on. That's never happened with any other brand of string. They're probably okay but my banjo just doesn't seem to like them.
mastertone250 - Posted - 11/19/2009: 20:03:59
You cant go wrong with a good set of GHS J.D Crowe Medium Lights!
PBGuardsman - Posted - 11/19/2009: 20:52:59
I've had the same experience as Dale. The B string loop broke as I was tuning it up. Never happened with the D'Addarios, but I am also pretty bad at restringing. Your not the only one Dale!
Paul
BvilleDon - Posted - 11/19/2009: 21:35:08
I like the GHS J.D. Crowe PF 140s. I started with the Gibson Scruggs mediums, as that was what came on my banjo. The GHS 140 are less forgiving, but I love the tone they can deliver. If JDMC is out of Scruggs mediums, that must be the first time in a very long time!
howseth - Posted - 11/19/2009: 22:50:44
Gibson mediums 10, 12, 14, 22w, 10 : are the same gauge as Black Diamond Medium-lights. The Black Diamond (non-coated) are cheaper than Gibson. Anybody tried them? Janet Davis and others sell them. JDavis also sells Stelling strings in this same gauge set. John Pearse '1900' strings are At Elderly, and also in these gauges.
I have about a 3 year stash of Martin "Bluegrass" strings in this 10, 12, 14, 22w,10 gauge set: excellent strings - and were on sale, cheap, at First Quality Music last spring - They have been discontinued, alas!
Hey, why I am assuming you want the Gibsons in these gauges?
Howard
vtyankee5 - Posted - 11/20/2009: 04:16:30
Sales are probably down so why front money for them. Gibson ES strings are D'Adario strings with Earl’s picture on the package. You can buy the same set of D'Adario strings for $3.21 @ Just strings with a D'Adario wrapper or pay $4.95 for the ES set. Same string with a different piece of paper and picture label.
I've used the D'Adario & ES strings many times and never found the Gibson ES label made my banjo sound better.
Why give money away when your getting nothing in return. Foolish.
Bradskey - Posted - 11/20/2009: 09:06:21
Gibson has been having some supply issues with their strings, I have no idea what is really going on. I generally use the Gibson medium set, which is really a medium-light equivalent set, not true medium at all. Anyway, I had ordered some from from JDMC back in April or May I think, and they were out of stock. I JUST got my order finally about a month ago. I had tried locating them elsewhere online and they were out of stock everywhere. While waiting on JDMC I tried twice to pre-order some from Musician's Friend as they had an "expected by" date, although it kept slipping. The second time they finally delivered me some sets after about a month. No idea what's going on, but they're sure hard to get hold of lately. I do like the GHS Crowe studio set, but wish the 3rd string wasn't a bit heavier. I like that Gibson started sealing their strings.
mburk5 - Posted - 11/20/2009: 15:02:55
I ordered some med Gibson ES strings from JD music today,they didnt tell me on phone they was out of stock:( I have been using the gibson strings for several years on my Gibson ESS and have never had one break,I have tried the Daddario but the gibsons sound better on my banjo
1four5 - Posted - 11/20/2009: 16:11:42
Interesting coments about strings breaking. It's only happened to me twice ever, and both times it was at the loop of the 3rd string of a new set of Gibsons.
Edited by - 1four5 on 11/20/2009 16:13:00
Bradskey - Posted - 11/20/2009: 16:33:38
quote:
Originally posted by mburk5
I ordered some med Gibson ES strings from JD music today,they didnt tell me on phone they was out of stock:( I have been using the gibson strings for several years on my Gibson ESS and have never had one break,I have tried the Daddario but the gibsons sound better on my banjo
On their web site it only shows the Lights being unavailable right now, so you may be in luck. Hopefully they still have the mediums for you. They were back-ordered for months though.
desert rose - Posted - 11/20/2009: 16:34:00
To be clear on one point GIBSON makes their own strings and has for many decades in their own string making factory
They dont buy strings oem from anybody
Scott
Edited by - desert rose on 11/20/2009 16:35:37
vtyankee5 - Posted - 11/20/2009: 18:19:37
quote:
Posted - 11/20/2009 : 16:34:00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To be clear on one point GIBSON makes their own strings and has for many decades in their own string making factory
They dont buy strings oem from anybody
Scott
If you say so 
Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/20/2009: 18:20:29
quote:
Originally posted by desert rose
To be clear on one point GIBSON makes their own strings and has for many decades in their own string making factory
They dont buy strings oem from anybody
Scott
Am I correct in assuming they don't draw their own wire? Tnx.
Edited by - Bill Rogers on 11/20/2009 18:21:27
vtyankee5 - Posted - 11/21/2009: 04:03:07
You are correct Bill. Some string companies buy wire from XXXXX then cut and loop end the strings. Others buy finished strings. Gibson does not draw their own wire.
You can buy wire on a reel in the US and abroad.
desert rose - Posted - 11/21/2009: 05:19:57
Bill
Ford doesnt forge their own steel
Martin doesnt grow their own spruce
Microsoft doesnt make their own central processors
And McDonalds doesnt raise their own cows
Why would Gibson or any string maker be expected to make their own raw materials
They make their own strings just like EVERY string maker in the US GHS DAdarrio, Fender, whoever, the only company making strings and wire is Mappes, and tell me ONE person who uses their strings under their label
Making strings means taking music wire of the brands alloy and make up and deciding on what guages the players want and buying a ROOM full of expensive string winders and going to work
Anyone who thinks there isnt a LOT of hard detailed and technical work to make strings... hasnt made them. It isnt opening a spool of wire and cutting off lengeths and putting them in your own envelope I PROMISE
And yep I have, a few thousand sets. My mentor Freddie Tavares at Fender had me work in the string factory for a week, just to be able to understand the details
Yankee or is it Tom
Gibson string division actually is an oem supplyer for other makers and has been in business a LONG time
Anyone in the music industry is very familliar with them just as Fender strings is a division of Fender and makes oem strings for others
Try researching this
Gibson Strings & Original Equipment division in Elgin, Illinois
They are the second oldest string factory in the US from what I remember second only to Vinci I believe
Ive had friends that worked there and they MAKE strings
Scott
Edited by - desert rose on 11/21/2009 05:31:29
vtyankee5 - Posted - 11/21/2009: 05:46:48
quote:
Yankee or is it Tom
Don't be a wise guy Scott. I may be his good friend so please do not insinuate. You know what happens when you assume. Paths we do not want to cross.  Scott now back to the subject. You are correct, most string makers buy wire then put the loop ends on the strings and wrap & package them. Now if you constitute the loop & packaging process as making strings, then go for it.
desert rose - Posted - 11/21/2009: 06:09:41
Like I said If you think thats all there is to making strings then you have never made any, thats plain to see.
One walk thru any string factory would teach you the error of that thinking
If you are happy living in that reality I would not want you to change
Scott
Just Bill - Posted - 11/21/2009: 06:54:36
I, too, could not find Gibson strings available and suppliers had no information when they would be available again.
So, I contacted Gibson by email and asked them if they were getting out of the string business. They said, "no," everything is remaining the same. They did not comment on the fact that their strings (especially light gauge) are unavailable. They also didn't offer any timeline when suppliers would have strings again.
I hope the issue clears up soon. I use Gibson strings, I do not want to change to something else.
Bill
"Proud to be a Murphy Henry-ite."
Bobw - Posted - 11/21/2009: 14:28:46
When I started this thread I was just trying to find out if anyone had heard why there was an availability issue. So far I've found out:
1.) It's my imagination
2.) I should use different strings
3.) All strings are the same.
( I respectfully disagree with all of these by the way)
Still........ no one seems to be able to shed any light on the issue.
Guess it's just one of those mysteries.
Edited by - Bobw on 11/21/2009 14:45:26
Leigh - Posted - 11/21/2009: 17:15:15
quote:
Originally posted by desert rose
To be clear on one point GIBSON makes their own strings and has for many decades in their own string making factory
They dont buy strings oem from anybody
Scott
Thanks Scott. Now I know there is a reason why I prefer E.S. light gauge. Just like in the dealership parts business, when some yahoo tells me "their all the same". Drives me nuts.
Bradskey - Posted - 11/21/2009: 18:38:35
quote:
Originally posted by Bobw
Still........ no one seems to be able to shed any light on the issue.
Guess it's just one of those mysteries.
Sorry Bob. Seems nobody that knows is talking. Gibson is a privately held and somewhat secretive company, so no surprise. The only thing I can offer you is really nothing, but a JDMC employee volunteered this tidbit of non-information in an email response about my Gibson string order some months back: "apparently Gibson is having issues". That's all, like I said, nothing. The strings I wanted did finally become available at some places so hopefully all of this will be worked out soon.
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