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Thread: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

  1. #1
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    Default Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    If this is anything similar to a guitar forum, you folks probably get tired of the same old questions and I'm guessing this is going to be one of "those" threads.

    I'm about as new as you can get to the world of mandolins. I learned how to tune a mandolin three days ago. I've been borrowing my friend's Red Diamond since Friday. I bought a Skip Kelley Model A yesterday.

    Now my question is about strings, and I realize this is subjective. Is there a brand of mandolin strings that seem to be more popular than other brands?

    Thanks for putting up with another newbie!

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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    D'Addario seem to be the standard that are typically used for comparison. J74 used to be the standard phosphor bronze mediums, but I feel like they've changed that designation recently. (Sorry I can't remember, but I use Curt Mangans)

    Strings and picks are good things to experiment with - relatively cheap, and a plethora of choices. Have fun!
    Mitch Russell

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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    Quote Originally Posted by onassis View Post
    D'Addario seem to be the standard that are typically used for comparison. J74 used to be the standard phosphor bronze mediums, but I feel like they've changed that designation recently. (Sorry I can't remember, but I use Curt Mangans)

    Strings and picks are good things to experiment with - relatively cheap, and a plethora of choices. Have fun!
    Hey, thanks for the reply and the input. I didn't expect it to be much different than guitar strings with starting out with a particular kind and experimenting from there. Curt Mangans have a good reputation in then guitar world, too. (You probably already knew that, lol.)

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    Registered User Bob Buckingham's Avatar
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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    I like GHS but if you have a good mandolin it does not seem to matter. Some feel better and some sound better but what that will be for you is up to you.

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    Registered User Eric F.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    D'Addario EJ-74 is the usual starting point. GHS A-270 is the set I've used the most, but D'Addarrio nickel bronze are becoming a favorite, too. There are plenty of other contenders. As mentioned above, strings and picks are a relatively inexpensive way to alter the sound of your instrument. Play around and find what works for you.

    And, btw, congrats on the new mandolin. I think you chose very well. May it bring you years of pleasure.

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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    Welcome to the forum.

    I don't tend to change strings much but learn here on the forum a lot about the different alternatives.

    I used J74's a long time, then a couple years ago switched to Straight Up Strings Mediums. Like both but prefer the Straight Ups for their balance and mix of strings sizes. They sound very strong as well, like J74s.

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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    The mandolin will let you know. Hit up Just Strings or Strings and Beyond for half a dozen different sets and go from there. D'Addario is as good a place to start as any other, EJ74's. Curt Mangan strings are indeed excellent on mandolins and last well. I do not like GHS but they have their fans. Your instrument your style and your ears ..... enjoy the search. R/
    I love hanging out with mandolin nerds . . . . . Thanks peeps ...

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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    Check to see what the instrument was designed for. Some makers have specific strings in mind when building and intonate the bridge and cut the nut for specific gauges. EJ74's and A270s are probably the most popular, with the A270's having a slightly thicker A string.

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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    They're not as *popular* as the ubiquitous D'addarrio's, but the best phosphor bronze strings I've tried are Curt Mangan. Best tone and sustain of any I've tried.

    DR Rare are also very good.

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    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    Strings are fun to experiment with! Try as many you can and write down what is currently on your mandolin so you can remember if you liked it or not when it's time to change them again.

    For my arch top, F hole Weber I like John Pearse Phosphor Bronze Med and GHS A270.

    On my Flat Top, Oval hole Red Valley I like SIT Phosphor Bronze Light and GHS A250.

    I like DR and Martin Phosphor Bronze sets as well.

    I usually order through: https://m.juststrings.com/

    They have a bunch of other brands and types as well. Good guys!

    Welcome and Happy picking
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  19. #11
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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    Trying the various brands and styles of strings is a fun and relatively cheap adventure. Enjoy it!
    ...

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    You are the only one to truly know what you like. For years, I mostly used D'Addario J-74 or the equivalent, but I tried some Monel strings and liked those a lot better than PB strings. Now I Use D'Addario NB strings on most of my guitars and mandolins. Again, as you will see often in these forums: your mileage may vary...
    Jim

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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    As you journey through the string offerings, I recommend trying GHS silk n steel, and silk n bronze, and the cryogenic pb. All are as unique as the sound from monel and nickel strings. Regular pb strings don’t have that Je ne sais quoi with my mandolins.
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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    Is there a local store where you can browse the selections? Hard in Covid times, of course. These guys have tons of different strings if you are using mail order. They also have a large pick selection, so thrown in a bunch of sizes, colors, and shapes with your string order. I prefer lighter strings, and have been on a Martin kick recently. They sound kind of disgusting for a day or two, then settle in nicely and seem to last a little longer than some others I've tried. Important, as changing mandolin strings is a long and bloody process.

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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    I knew I would get some great suggestions. I really appreciate all of the input. Thanks!

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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    Torren61- thanks for starting a good thread. Good info.

    What about a guy that doesn’t come from the guitar world? I am wondering what difference one might expect between:

    Monels, Silk, Elixir, Nickel? Most of us are pretty familiar with PB, that’s what comes on just about any mandolin. I am all for trying different sets I just don’t know if I want to try different sets of Monels, or Nickel.....

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  30. #17
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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    For my mandolins, the pb strings have a sizzle, or chirping crackle edge to the wound strings. The silks and alternate metals have different overtone properties, which I enjoy. The difference is subtle, and subjective.
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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    You will not go wrong by starting with D'Addario EJ74s.

    Widely available, affordable, played by beginners and pros alike.

    I've experimented with many of the types mentioned but keep coming back to EJ74s , or XT which are like a slightly heavier coated version of the EJ74s.

    But start with EJ74s for a few months, and then experiment.
    Bren

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  34. #19
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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    Quote Originally Posted by Medley12 View Post
    Torren61- thanks for starting a good thread. Good info.

    What about a guy that doesn’t come from the guitar world? I am wondering what difference one might expect between:

    Monels, Silk, Elixir, Nickel? Most of us are pretty familiar with PB, that’s what comes on just about any mandolin. I am all for trying different sets I just don’t know if I want to try different sets of Monels, or Nickel.....
    I can't reply to all of them, but IME the Monels have a more fundamental tone than PB, not as jangly, fewer overtones. Nickel is closer to Monel than to PB.
    Mitch Russell

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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    I have to admit I was unsure, but I ordered a custom size set from Mapes (they were cheap, too) and they have been awesome. Super long lasting and sound great. I find I'm tuning less, but maybe that's my mandolin. Unsure. Try a bunch.
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  38. #21
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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    I've tried about all of them but have finally settled down to Curt Mangan Monel and Bluegrass strings for my Girouard ovals and GHS A270's for my Ellis F5 and A5. Those Mangan strings just don't wear out !

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  40. #22
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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    To further complicate things, for some strings the way they sound out of the pack newly installed is not the sound they will have when they settle in. I play hard, and a lot, and the EJ74s mentioned are my go to strings most of the time. When new I think they are too brassy. After about a week or two, they sound wonderful, and for me that wonderful lasts four months or more, and in some cases not bad for six months.

    My point is that when trying strings - how they sound when you put them on may not be how they sound. LOL
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  42. #23
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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    According to David Harvey, the new Gibsons are leaving the shop these days with EJ74's.
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    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    Only way to know is to try many brand of strings ! Your ears may hear differently then someone else !

  44. #25

    Default Re: Please School Me On Mandolin Strings

    I match picks to instruments for the sound I like, I match to broken in strings, so I don't have to change strings much. :-)
    For me strings are more of a comfort thing (GHS A240s are lightest gauge possible). If I used normal gauges I could play with strings more for tone I guess.
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