Can anyone identify?

[billkilpatrick]

I love "Who dunnits" - can't wait for "CAI?" - Season II.

[Bill Cameron]

Thanks for the suggestions. Others are wound with round wire? Sounds like that would tear up your fingers in a hurry.

I suppose different strings are necessary depending on whether one is playing Vivaldi mandolin concerti, Celtic music, or bluegrass. Having done some reading since this little guy crossed my path, I'm amazed at the versatility and universality of the mandolin. The NY Times ran an article a few months ago about mandolin orchestras, a few of which still exist. Pretty cool.

Not so much different strings, different mandolins entirely. But an F5 style is very versatile, you can play any style on it.

I am a big recommender of flatwound strings, but be aware that you might not be able to maintain your principled stance on supporting your local music store; most smaller stores arent going to have them and you want to order several sets at a time, because if you break a G or D string you are going to need spare flatwounds handy. And they are about half the price when bought online in bulk.

Good find.

[Billy Packard]

Personally I find flat wound strings to be dull sounding and unable to produce any dynamic range. Jazz guitar players like them for that reason! Dull and unresponsive!! Like jazz!!!

I'd love to hear a recording of your mandolin, Louise. It is exciting to hear a story like yours about an unknown maker who produced a mandolin of merit.

Viva tone, brilliance, and dynamics,

Billy

billypackardmandolin.com

[Sakamichi]

Personally I find flat wound strings to be dull sounding and unable to produce any dynamic range.

I agree with you. I recently restrung my mandolin with flat wound strings because I like the silky-smooth feel, however they did make my instrument sound completely dull. My wife has the same mandolin and I restrung hers with Elixir Nanowebs; while they aren't a smooth as flat wounds, the sound is so much more lively than mine.

[Sarah B]

Hi Louise... my uncle was Phil Buss, the maker of Reno Mandolins. I found this post when my sister googled the name of his little company. Since his untimely death, we’ve been trying to track down his mandolins, to no avail... until now! I’d love to talk to you more if you’re willing . Thank you... Sarah Buss

[Louise NM]

Just sent you a message.

[Jim Garber]

I love when this happens! One of the marvels of Mandolin Cafe is that Scott and Company have made sure that just about anything searched with the term mandolin in it will show up in search results.