Tension of Fisoma Consort strings safe for Embergher?

[Thane Glenn]

I've found a number of threads on strings for vintage bowlbacks, but I haven't been able to find this specific question addressed.

I want to try out some high quality strings on my Embergher, but I want to be very cautious not to damage it with too much tension. The strings that seem to be most highly endorsed for vintage Italian bowlbacks are the Dogal Calace Dolce and the Fisoma Consort (which I understand were originally Lenzer Consort).

I'm concerned that the gauges of the Fisoma Consort strings seem to be on the high side compared to other light strings. The Fisoma Consort gauges are listed as .011, .014, .025, and .035. Those gauges are higher than the Dogal Calace Dolce RW92B (.010, .014, .024, .034), higher on the e and d strings than the D'Addario Light EJ73 (.010, .014, .024, .038), and considerably higher than the GHS UltraLight A240 (.009, .013, .020, .032).

The Fisoma Consort strings are advertised as being specifically developed for vintage bowlbacks such as Emberghers, but I want to make sure I'm being appropriately cautious.

Can anyone assure me that these strings will not exert undue tension on the mandolin, or provide insights otherwise?

Thanks!
Thane Glenn

[Bob A]

They've been fine on mine for years.

[Martin Jonas]

They've been fine on mine for years.

On mine as well -- I've been using these strings on my Embergher as well as my 1890s Ceccherini for more than ten years and haven't had any problems. I'm not sure why this would be, but they do seem to have lower string tension than other sets with similar quoted gauges. These strings are "polished", i.e. ground flat after winding similar to the d'Addario flattops, and I have been wondering whether the gauges quoted by Fisoma are for the original roundwound strings prior to polishing.

For what it's worth, the original "Consort" set was developed in close collaboration between Lenzner and Het Consort in the Netherlands, who are an all-Embergher group.

Ralf Leenen in Antwerp (another Embergher specialist) has recommended the Optima Goldin set to me, which is also very nice but even higher in gauge than the Consort strings.

Martin