FuzzyDog - Posted - 01/03/2011:  16:06:43

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I have a great little Tacoma mandolin that I bought about eight years ago, after playing on a friend of mine's every chance I got. I started out by learning the Beatles and Stones songs (Dead Flowers, Wild Horses, I've just Seen a Face, etc..) that I learned guitar on. I always took it with me, as well as a guitar and banjo, to bluegrass festivals and acoustic jams just to add something different to the mix. I put a pickup in it and the rock band that I'm in plays "Losing My Religion" (REM), "Beautiful Wreck" (Shawn Mullins) and occasionally "Hey, Hey, What Can I Do?" (Led Zeppelin). To finally get to to the point, what are some good all around mandolin strings that experienced players favor? I know tone is subjective and that any concept of "Best" is relative at most and useless at worst as a descriptor. I guess the big question is; What strings do you use and why do you prefer them? Thanks in advance!

mandoteacher - Posted - 01/03/2011:  18:21:22

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I prefer D'Addario strings for my mandos

Muscle Tone - Posted - 01/03/2011:  19:03:34

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If you prefer light strings than I suggest you go with Martin Phosphor Bronze strings. They really helped open up the sound of my mandolin.

MitchellB - Posted - 01/04/2011:  05:50:37

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I've always like GHS strings mainly because the quality has always been consistent for me. The Bright Bronze were always the best sounding string I ever tried on my old Gibson flattop and I use the stainless banjo strings for their longevity. I just naturally went with GHS brand for everything else I own.

fairportmando - Posted - 01/04/2011:  07:18:11

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I use D'Addario J74 on all three of my mandolins and I think the J74's get the best tone out of each one.

Tomm - Posted - 01/04/2011:  08:16:05

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J-74's!

Mandolin Ant - Posted - 01/04/2011:  09:16:24

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quote:

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Originally posted by Tomm

J-74's!

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J74's All day long. I've played the Black Diamonds also, which have a good sound, but the J74's are with a doubt my favorite.

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Edited by - Mandolin Ant on 01/04/2011 09:17:03

TSSN - Posted - 01/04/2011:  09:20:22

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D'Addario J-74 on my F-style. GHS strings on my smaller A-style (still slowly experimenting on that one, though the Silk and Steels are nice on that particular mando).

Susan H - Posted - 01/04/2011:  13:18:42

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EXP 74's. Great tone and longivity.

irishbanjos - Posted - 01/04/2011:  23:28:37

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I string all my instruments (banjo, mandolin, dulcimer) with D'Addario strings. They sound pretty good, last a lot and I've never broken a string in a year tunings nor playing (since I started using them).

For mandolin, I like D'Addario J-67 (nickel strings). I play Irish and bluegrass and it sounds good.

store.daddario.com/category/14...ium_11-39

TSSN - Posted - 01/05/2011:  08:37:45

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This may be fodder for a different thread, but has anyone tried lesser known (or lesser mentioned) strings?

For example, Elderly lists upwards of 20 different string manufacturers whom they sell. I like to experiment, but I also don't want to waste time just trying new strings. I want to play. Am I cheating myself by sticking with just my J-74s and GHS strings?

irishbanjos - Posted - 01/05/2011:  12:33:54

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Maybe I should try less known strings, as TSSN says.

I've been using D'Addario mandolin strings since I started, and haven't changed them 'cause they sound good and are good for me, but maybe I should experiment too.
Well, I think I once used Dean Markley and they were so bad that I changed them weeks after putting them on (or was that with the banjo?)

Mandolin Ant - Posted - 01/05/2011:  12:34:57

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TSSN,
I like to experiment also, but it is VERY frustrating to me when I come across a set that just doesn't cut it. I discovered J-74's on my own after trying several brands. I started using them before I heard anyone else mention them. So in my opinion, they are the best I've found.

irishbanjos - Posted - 01/05/2011:  13:03:26

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quote:

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Originally posted by Mandolin Ant

TSSN,
I like to experiment also, but it is VERY frustrating to me when I come across a set that just doesn't cut it. I discovered J-74's on my own after trying several brands. I started using them before I heard anyone else mention them. So in my opinion, they are the best I've found.

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Have you tried D'Addario J-67?
They work fine for me, maybe you should give 'em a try (I'll try the J-74's and let's see if I like them more than the J-67's)

dmiller - Posted - 01/05/2011:  20:21:36

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I've never been disappointed with the John Pearse brand of strings.
I stumbled onto them by accident, and have used them ever since.

irishbanjos - Posted - 01/06/2011:  00:03:40

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quote:

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Originally posted by dmiller

I've never been disappointed with the John Pearse brand of strings.
I stumbled onto them by accident, and have used them ever since.

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I'd like to try 'em, but I haven't seen them here in Spain... I guess I'd have to buy 'em via internet.

Mandolin Ant - Posted - 01/06/2011:  05:17:18

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quote:

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Originally posted by irishbanjos

quote:

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Originally posted by Mandolin Ant

TSSN,
I like to experiment also, but it is VERY frustrating to me when I come across a set that just doesn't cut it. I discovered J-74's on my own after trying several brands. I started using them before I heard anyone else mention them. So in my opinion, they are the best I've found.

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Have you tried D'Addario J-67?
They work fine for me, maybe you should give 'em a try (I'll try the J-74's and let's see if I like them more than the J-67's)

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No never have. I will give 'em a try and post my opinion back here on this thread. What's the difference in sound from nickel to bronze?

TSSN - Posted - 01/06/2011:  09:00:29

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@irishbanjos
I haven't tried J-67s, but I do have J-63s on my Irish tenor banjo, and that works out very well. I can't complain at all about D'Addario strings (much like Ant), but I do wonder...

@dmiller
Can you elaborate on the Pearse strings at all? What captivated you?

Gerry Cassidy - Posted - 01/06/2011:  09:17:20

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For the last few years I have had fun ordering my strings online from Just Strings.

Everything from bulk (great way to save money for someone like me who is cursed with skin chemistry that kills phosphor and bronze strings after the first few playings), to experimentation with custom gauge sets for the different instruments.

I currently have a set of Flat Tops coming for one of my Octave Mandolins. I'm really looking forward to seeing how they work out.

irishbanjos - Posted - 01/06/2011:  12:53:56

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quote:

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Originally posted by Mandolin Ant
What's the difference in sound from nickel to bronze?

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Well, I don't really know, 'cause as I've said, I've never tried bronze strings, but I guess it's the tone or sound... Anyway, I asked in Mandolin Cafe which strings were good to play Irish music and bluegrass music at bars, pubs and busking, and a lot of people recommended me those strings, so I'm fine with them. Anyway, maybe next time I change them I decide to experiment and buy some bronze strings.

un5trung - Posted - 01/08/2011:  16:32:34

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When you go to the Mandolin Brothers (well-known music store on Staten Island) for a mandolin setup they don't even ask what strings you want, they toss in a set of J-74s. I imagine they'd use any strings you asked for, but their default is the J-74, and I think that says a lot.

un5trung - Posted - 01/08/2011:  16:39:14

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quote:

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I've never been disappointed with the John Pearse brand of strings.
I stumbled onto them by accident, and have used them ever since.

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I like them too, but this is my rule:

Guitar: Martin Marquis light
Mandolin: D'Addario J-74
Banjo: John Pearse bronze-wound medium

Of course rules are made to be broken!

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Edited by - un5trung on 01/08/2011 16:40:34

TI_USER - Posted - 01/08/2011:  19:37:44

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I find it interesting that everyone asks others about which strings to use. While I think getting opinions about the differences in brands and materials is a good thing, the only way to find out what works for you is to buy several different types and give 'em all a try. D'Addario J74's seem to be the hottest string in the mandolin world, but often I think that people put them on without ever trying anything else because a certain artist endorses them or because everyone else uses them. Every mandolin is different and experimenting with different string and pick combinations can really surprise you. I prefer a warmer tone and for years used GHS Silk and Steel, having never liked the sound of bronze. I was introduced to Thomastik flatwound strings once and found the holy grail of the sound I was seeking. I have used them ever since (13 years). But it was only because of a willingness to try something different that I made that discovery. Don't be clones. If you love the sound of J74's then by all means use them. But strings are cheap. A little experimenting might yield some surprising results.

dmiller - Posted - 01/08/2011:  20:36:42

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That's a good point TI_USER. Opinions of what other folks think about certain brands helps,
but nothing facilitates a decision better than actual experience on the instrument you play on.

I've tried a lot of strings over the years on all of my instruments, looking to see what sounded "best".
The most costly were the fiddle strings, so I didn't "experiment too much" with them!
But given the "relatively" inexpensive price on guitar/ mandolin/ and banjo strings, I tried many different brands.
I found I like the sound of the bronze, and I also prefer medium gauge. But that's just me.

By experimenting with different strings I now use Pirastro for the fiddle/
John Pearse (bronze mediums) for the mandolin/
AMB Cryo (medium to heavy gauge) for the banjo/
Pearse or Martin (bronze medium gauge) for the guitar.

Regardless of what I like (and how they sound on the instruments I have), you're right It behooves a person to try what they can with the instruments they have so they can make an informed decision given the way THEY pick on the instruments THEY have.

irishbanjos - Posted - 01/09/2011:  13:58:42

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I've always used D'Addario for both mandolin and banjo, and they seem to work fine, but I think I should experiment a little... Anyway, for the dulcimer I use only D'Addario 'cause it's difficult to find dulcimer strings in Spain, and I prefer to buy at a local store before looking on the internet.

dmiller - Posted - 01/09/2011:  15:21:12

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When it comes to banjo strings (irishbanjos), if you want to try the AMB Cryo stings (my personal preference) you'll have to go the internet route. That aside - - I like to support the local music store too, but the local stores here have a VERY limited supply and they look at their bottom dollar rather than REALLY meeting the needs/ requests of the locals.

Some of us have been "lobbying" Tom M. of AMB to put out some Cryo mandolin strings for a while now, but it doesn't look like it's going to be a happening thing anytime soon. If you're interested, here's a link to American Made Banjo and the cryogenic strings (3 sets for 10 bucks). I'm not sure what international shipping costs are.


American Made Banjo Company

irishbanjos - Posted - 01/09/2011:  22:26:19

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quote:

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Originally posted by dmiller
I like to support the local music store too, but the local stores here have a VERY limited supply

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Especially here in Spain that banjos are something pretty odd :S

jphalabuk - Posted - 01/12/2011:  06:34:51

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I use John Pearse strings for my mandolin and banjo. Online, the price is comparable to others, and I love the strings. GHS is my guitar string of choice.

jefrs - Posted - 02/10/2011:  18:12:55

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I thought I liked D'Addario because they work on the banjo

But my Crafter mando takes ball-end

- and two new sets of D'Addario sheared off four ball-ends of the top course E as I tuned up - one after the other. (not the first time fine D'A have shot their ends off straight away on me).

I do not suffer breakages with the Rotos on the electric guitars or Thomastik on the acoustic and jazzboxes, or the loop D'A on banjo.

Fortunately I had some guitar strings of the same gauge. Picato seem to be the only other make for ball-end mando sets, and these are guitar length (for mandola?)

Are there no other makes for ball-end mandolin strings?

MandoSquirrel - Posted - 02/11/2011:  20:14:27

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Tacomas are flat tops, & I'm not sure I'd have confidence in their endurance with strings as heavy as the D'Addario J74's. I think I'd prefer trying no more than a .010 first string & .036 or .038 fourth.

Charley Wild - Posted - 02/17/2011:  17:54:32

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I also believe in trying differents sets. I use J74's when I'm not trying something else but there are a lot of good strings out there! Also I like trying different types of picks on different sets of strings. Makes for some interesting tones!

Mandolin Ant - Posted - 02/18/2011:  09:54:31

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J74's and my BC CT-55 make my Mandolin bark like a DAWG!