Strings for Ibanez GB10

[sbdtoni]

Hi friends

Happy new year to all!

I need to change the strings of my Ibanez GB10 of '79. Which strings do you recommend for this guitar?

And another question: the bending around guitar is fragile and breaks easily. Does someone have a solution? I changed the pickguard and restored the pickups and bridge.

Many thanks from Barcelona

[Cunamara]

Since you are in Europe, I would suggest looking at Thomastik Infeld strings from Germany. There is a George Benson signature set which seems like that would be a natural choice for that guitar.

Also, watch out for the original pickguard deteriorating and offgassing which can damage the finish of the instrument.

[sbdtoni]

muchas gracias por tu ayuda, intentaré conseguir dichas cuerdas, en cuanto al deterioro ya es tarde, está todas las piezas metálicas totalmente oxidadas, el golpeador ya lo cambié y he restaurado las partes metálicas haciendo les Hidrografia simulación de madera de Raiz ya que no he encontrado repuestos para el puente tensor y los cubre pastillas.
un saludo desde Barcelona.

[Gitfiddler]

Since you are in Europe, I would suggest looking at Thomastik Infeld strings from Germany. There is a George Benson signature set which seems like that would be a natural choice for that guitar.

Also, watch out for the original pickguard deteriorating and offgassing which can damage the finish of the instrument.

@sbdtoni:
The original pickguard's off-gassing is the likely reason for the binding issue. I also own a '79 GB10 and fortunately the prior owner replaced the pickguard before it damaged much of the guitar. There was also a bit of binding rot to the heel cap, and signs of tarnish on the upper frets on the treble side, both I attribute to the previous guard issue. In the 80's Ibanez addressed that problem.

Otherwise, GB10's are wonderful guitars. Play yours in good health!

[Cunamara]

muchas gracias por tu ayuda, intentaré conseguir dichas cuerdas, en cuanto al deterioro ya es tarde, está todas las piezas metálicas totalmente oxidadas, el golpeador ya lo cambié y he restaurado las partes metálicas haciendo les Hidrografia simulación de madera de Raiz ya que no he encontrado repuestos para el puente tensor y los cubre pastillas.
un saludo desde Barcelona.

"Thank you very much for your help, I will try to get these strings, as for the deterioration it is too late, all the metal parts are totally oxidized, the pickguard I have already changed and I have restored the metal parts by doing them.found spare parts for the tensioner bridge and the pickup covers."

Congratulations on doing so much restoration on this fine old instrument. The Thomastik Infeld strings should be readily available in Europe for much less than they cost here in the US; Thomann stocks them, I believe.

[guavajelly]

Thomastik Jazz Swing are about the cheapest flatwound strings in Europe now. Round about 15 € from Thomann. Have only tried these and D'Addario Chromes which are also good. The swing set has skinier bass strings compared to other brands which you may like or not. You can try roundwound strings also if you like more brilliant bass.