strings

[cabgrn]

i need to restring and i was wondering ,light medium or heavy and why do you get more volume with one??????????????

[Ray(T)]

The simple answer -

i) Playability - Its largely a matter of personal preference which you choose - try them all and see which you like.

ii) Volume - usually the heavier they are the louder they are - but - heavier strings can restrict vibrations in the top making an instrument quieter - the answer is the same - try them all and see which you like.

Complicated answer anyone?

[mandroid]

What mandolin are you putting them on , and what style of music do you play?

A middle ground E .010, A .015, D .024w, G .036~8w. Bronze Wound is a popular choice ,
lots of brands .. D"Addario and GHS sell well .

unless a Magnetic pickup electric.

[Flattpicker]

Is anyone using wound A's? Doesn't the Thomastik set use those?

[Malcolm G.]

I have some D'adario flat tops with a wound A. Not the loudest, but really comfortable.
Also use flat wound Thomastik Enfelds with wound A. Not the loudest, but really, really comfortable.
Very expensive though.

[fishtownmike]

I was a big fan of heavier gauge strings for guitar and mando. I used the D'Addario J74's 11 to 40 but switched to the J62's. 10-34 I have hand problems. Carpal Tunnel is one of them and the lighter gauge is easier to play. They put less of strain on my older mandolin tops and they sound great too. I don't buy into the myth anymore that you need bridge cables for strings to have good tone.

[Jill McAuley]

One question I'd ask the OP is this: what kind of mandolin are you stringing up? A bowl back? a flat top? carved top?

Cheers,
Jill