Mandolin Strings Questions & Answers
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:52:53 -0600
Subject: Re: Folk of the Wood Contact Form: mandolin strings?..Your Name: rob lawson
Your Email Address: marriedbencher@aol.com
Subject: mandolin strings?..
Message: Hello, I have a Breedlove Quartz FF and i was wondering what type of strings you recommend putting on this mandolin. I recently have d\'adarrio J74\'s on it. Should i stay medium gauge? D you recommend using any other strings, i was told to look at the sam bush model strings but i was told i would use alot of volume but gain more tone.
Thanks for your help, rob l., toledo ohio
Greetings Rob,
The Breedlove Quartz models are great ...
As far as which gauge of string you're considering, there are some considerations.
1. If you're in the beginning intermediate stage, it's always best to stick with a light or medium light gauge. For ease of playability and less stress on the fingertips.
2. A medium or heavy gauge string adds to the depth of tone. You gain a bassier tone and most of the time you will gain volume depending on the brand.
3. Life of a string is also critical. I've personally found that coated strings last far longer and retain their sizzle and brilliance far over and above uncoated strings. D'Addario and Elixir both offer coated strings ...
4. Strings become more difficult to tune as they get older. So it's always recommended that if you play often and you're recording or performing, make sure you do have some relatively new strings on your instrument.
My suggestion to you, if you're already using medium gauge, I would stick to them. I would personally never go to a heavier gauge than medium for a few reasons ... for one, it does add more stress to the instrument itself; although your Breedlove could handle the heavy gauge, eventually, and over the years, it will manifest itself with neck adjustments and maybe even bridge or top problems.
Hope this helps,
--
Mickey Cochran
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 21:08:37 EST
Subject: More Strings Mandolin?
Mickey,
Thank you so much, i appreciate your response to my previous question about strings!! I have another because i cannot find anyone around my area that plays or knows the mandolin.
In short response if possible, i know your busy; what is the difference between the phosphor/bronze, the silk, and say the steel strings?
Is there much tone difference or better sound with the heavier strings?
Finally, are the Elixir coated strings really much better?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH! & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!
Neil
Greetings Neil,
Glad to be of further assistance:
The phospher/bronze strings are brighter than most any other type of string...Silk stings have a softer tone and also offer more resilience when fretting making for a softer, easier playing effort...Steel strings were offered long before phospher/bronze...to this day, they are the way to go with electric instruments with magnetic pick-ups. They would have less brightness than phospher/bronze...yet, they still work well acoustically too.
Heavier gauge strings offer a fatter tone...more bass end than thinner gauge strings. They are also more difficult to play and less resilient when fretting.
Elixirs are great strings unto themselves. They are known to last longer than uncoated strings...they are also known for having great clarity and brightness.
Hope something here helps, Mickey
Date: Sat, 28 Dec 2002 19:36:10 EST
Subject: MMS-2
HOWDY , I HAVE JUST BECOME THE OWNER OF A BEAUTIFUL MORGAN MONROE MANDO MMS 2 . I PUT MARTIN MED LIGHTS ON IT . THE ACTION IS GREAT . THE SOUND IS VERY GOOD IN OUR BLUEGRASS BAND.
QUESTION 1 - ALLTHOUGH I LIKE TWANG , IT IS ALMOST TO TWANGY. IT IS NOT SWEET ENOUGH . IS IT THE STRINGS OR SOMETHING IN THE SETUP???
QUESTION 2 - INTONATION ON THE G STRING IS SHARP FROM THE FIRST FRET ON WHEN THE OTHER STRINGS ARE CORRECT. IS HAS THE FACTORY COMP BRIDGE
. WHEN I PULL THE BRIDGE BACK IT MESSES UP THE OTHER STRINGS.
IS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM ?? WHAT CAN BE DONE??
ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED , THANKS , MIKE IN FLORIDA
Greetings Mike,
You might want to experiment further with other strings...we've found that the D'Addario Coated Strings in medium gauge or the Elixir work well...the strings can also affect the intonation (the pitches on frets)...as you may be encountering...
Please get back with us after trying other strings out...
I'm not too sure about the twanginess of your MMS-2...have you also experimented with different gauge picks? A thin pick will add unwanted transients and a thinner twangy sound...
Let us know how we can further assist you after you've tried experimenting with both picks and strings...and, please keep in mind, with us, you'll always have your 100% trade-up option for as long as you own your MMS-2...
At your disposal, Mickey
Date: Fri, 01 Feb 2002 07:52:40 -0600
Subject: Mando Strings
Mickey, Thanks again for your advice. The Gallatin has Elixir strings on it. The Bridger, I believe, has Dean Markley (reg. gauge) strings - Weber seems to be going with this brand now.
I thought Gibson strings were only for the heavier-built vintage models. I checked the "Just Strings" Website and they have three types of Gibson mandolin strings. The 1st two types have the same string diameters, and the "Bill Monroe" strings are heavier for the D and A string (by 1/1000 of an inch). Let me know what you recommend, or would these not be much different from the reg. Dean Markley strings? Thanks again,
Jon
Greetings Jon,
You only need to try the nickel wound mandolin strings just to see if it makes a difference...especially, before making a large investment in the Beartooth...
I believe the Bill Monroe strings would be nickel wound...although, I'd double-check with "Just Strings" to make sure...
Upon your determing that the Bridger cannot be toned down by choice of strings, you might then try a Beartooth...as I've stated before, I have noticed a big difference in tonal quality between matte finish models and gloss finish models; the gloss finish models are drastically toned down and are not as "responsive" as the matte finish models.
Mickey
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