Strings for Octave mandolin?

[monkeyboy]

I've got an Octave Micheal Kelly and want to put Elixir strings on it but they don't make them for an Octave (I have Elixirs on all my other mandos).... anyone have any ideas on a comparable set of stings that are availible for octaves? or maybe a way to adapt a set of Elixir stings for some other insturment that would work?

Thanks

Nathan

[mandobassman]

You could get two sets of D'Addario EXP 14's (80/20 Coated Bronze) guitar strings. You would use the 1st(.012), 3rd (.025), 4th (.035), and 5th (.045). That would be pretty close to an average gauge for octave. I use .013, .024, .034, .046 on my octave. Obviously, you would waste some strings, but it might be easier in the long run. Here's the info from D'Addario's web site.

http://www.daddario.com/DADProductDe...9&productid=96

I don't use coated strings on mine, but if you're interested, here's a link to where I got mine. They sound great and are relatively inexpensive. You have to select what gauge you want and if you wand loop end or ball end.

http://www.emando.com/shop/strings8va.htm