About Us

Curt Mangan is a rare figure in the music industry who has balanced a 60-year career as a professional musician and songwriter with a 40-year legacy as a high-level string manufacturer. 

The Musician & Songwriter

Mangan identifies primarily as a player, which informs his business philosophy. 

Performance Career: He started playing guitar at age 10 and had his first professional gig at 13. By age 17, he signed his first recording contract and was touring extensively, often spending more than 30 weeks a year on the road.

Songwriting & Recording: He founded his own label, Mangatune Records, at 22. His 1980 power-pop album, Promise, became a cult favorite and was re-issued in 2015. In 2018, he released the solo album Here I Am, featuring collaborations with artists who use his strings.

Musical Style: His work spans country, blues, and rock, influenced by artists ranging from Chet Atkins and Chuck Berry to The Beatles and Eric Clapton. 

The String Maker

After nearly two decades in corporate leadership, Mangan transitioned to boutique manufacturing to focus on "craft" over mass production. 

Industry Roots: Before starting his own brand, he was the Director of Sales and Marketing for Ernie Ball for 17 years (1986–2003).

Curt Mangan Strings: Founded in 2004, the company is based in Cortez, Colorado. Mangan describes his approach as similar to "craft brewing," making strings in small, hand-crafted batches.

"FusionMatched" Philosophy: He developed his own "recipes" for strings using only USA-made wire. He personally play-tests samples from every batch to ensure they meet a player's standards for tension and tone.

Global Reach: Despite being a "small" family-run company, his strings have been us by major artists like Bryan Adams, Dolly Parton, and Lady Antebellum, Matt Schofield, Allen HInds, Jason "Slim" Gambell, Miranda Lambert, Relient K, Rual Malo, Bill "Hot Rod Lincoln" Kirchen, G E Smith, and many more.