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hi could u please tell me which is the best string for a 5 string electric mandolin
cheers

Well, my suggestion would be to use a nickel wound guitar string with loop ends...unless your electric mandolin accommodates ball-end strings...and make sure that you have the right gauges...before replacing the strings on your 5-string, and with the knowledge that you like the gauges you're using, try electronic calipers to get the exact replacement gauge. You cannot use a bronze-type string on an electric mandolin due to no conductivity for the magnetic pick-ups...

Mickey

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Subject: Electric Mandolin Question

Hi:

Greetings Jeff,

Just wondering. I noticed that the Mid-Missouri electric mandolins (perhaps all makes) seem to have only four strings (single course). Is this the standard form and why is this?

Yes, this is standard on solid body electric mandolins...Tiny Moore, of Bob Wills fame, helped to introduce the solidbody electric mandolin as a well respected instrument. His was a 5 string...still without the double chorus. I have never seen a solidbody electric mandolin strung with the choruses...not sure why. I know it would work. Look at the old Rickenbacker 12-string electrics. They sounded really cool within the Byrds' context. I'm sure an electric mandolin could have that very same sound...the single string electric mandolins sound more like electric guitars being played above the 12th fret...

I always thought that part of being a mandolin is to have two courses of strings. It must be easier to play a tremolo though.

Yes, that's one of the main tonal characteristics of the mandolin...having a fuller tone and one that's separate from the average string instrument that is strung singly.

By the way, I still have my M-4 Mid-Missouri that I purchased from you back in 2000. I love that thing. It sounds sweet and is a lot of fun. I actually prefer it to playing my guitars (which I've played for over 30 years), although it regularly humbles me.

That's great to hear! Thanks for the positive update on your Mid-Mo...they're are quite fun!

Keep on Pickin',
Mickey

Jeff Brodbeck

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