"A" strings

**Orkun Hiçyılmaz** · May-08-2014, 2:36pm

I wonder what is the problem with "A" strings on my mandolins. I have 3 mandolins, one from my childhood an italian type, one epiphone mm-20 and an mm50e. all of them has this A string problem. A strings don't stay in tune. What might be the cause and how can I solve it?
Thank you.

**Mandoplumb** · May-08-2014, 2:53pm

I have five mandolins and each has eight strings that won't stay in tune

**Tim2723** · May-08-2014, 3:34pm

Be happy it's only the A strings. Seriously, there have been a couple of theories advanced about the D and A strings. One theory suggests that the exceptionally long length of string between the nut and the tuner capstan is the culprit. If you figure out how to solve it you'll be the greatest martyr alive.

**mandroid** · May-08-2014, 4:11pm

<Joke> Q: why does the Mandolin have 8 strings, ? A: to increase the odds one of them is in tune.

**Matt DeBlass** · May-08-2014, 6:26pm

I read on another thread the thought that, being the lowest-pitched unwound string, the A has the thickest core of the set (the wound strings have a thinner core under the windings) and that has something to do with it. I don't know how true that is, but I have noticed that the B string on my guitar has always been a problem, and it seems like the lowest unwound string is the first out of tune on several instruments I've played.

**Ian Rossiter** · May-08-2014, 10:10pm

I had good luck with the wound A in the FT-74 sets.

**Dave LaBoone** · May-08-2014, 10:13pm

Originally Posted by Ian Rossiter

I had good luck with the wound A in the FT-74 sets.

+1 on the FT-74s! Love that "A"

**Ivan Kelsall** · May-09-2014, 2:18am

Somebody on here a while ago,posted the idea that because the key of "A" is a natural key for the mandolin,the "A" strings take more of a beating than the others. I'm not quite sure how that hangs out really.I play a lot of tunes in a lot of keys,but the "A" strings don't seem to take more than their fair share of hammering. One "A" string on my Weber used to creep up # after tuning up & being played for a while.I got used to tuning that string a tiny bit flat,so that it went up to pitch. Since i put DR MD11 'medium' strings on my Weber,the problem has vanished. Why ? - heaven knows, as the J74 & DR medium "A"'s are the same gauges. I've never had any problem with any string(s) on my Lebeda. I tune it up & it stays there,unless subject to a colder or warmer environment,
Ivan