Rickson - Posted - 05/29/2014:  08:17:51

Hello everyone. I needed to replace strings on my Kentucky KM-172 mandolin, so looking around I noticed that D'Addario J74 seems to be the one that most people use, so that's what I bought.  They seem to be OK but: I have to remove the tailpiece or the strings touch it,  I've also noticed that the G string will, once in a while, create a slight buzz. So my question is, should I buy a set of D'Addario J73? They are a tad smaller and light gauge. Or this there a better string for my instrument.

Thanks,

Ric

TSSN - Posted - 05/29/2014:  19:31:42

Hey there.   I have used both, and tonally haven't noticed a great deal of difference.  The G string isn't much thinner (0.038) on the J73s as opposed to the 0.040 with the J74s.  I have generally settled on the J74s, as they are easy to find in a pinch at my local music store.. 

What strings were you playing before?

SteveZ - Posted - 05/30/2014:  06:46:47

Changing to lighter strings probably won't make a difference. 

If the strings are touching the top of the tailpiece cover, then glue a thin strip of felt or cloth along the inside top of the tailpiece cover. You can even use a narrow slice of "soft side" velcro since it already has an adhesive back to stick to the inside of the tailpiece cover.  That will insulate the tailpiece cover from the strings. I've had mandolins which had this "fix" installed when I got it, whether it was maker-done or dealer-done during set-up.

Putting a string suppressor between the bridge and the tailpiece helps cut down buzzing. The suppressor can be as simple as a short length of leather shoelace weaved through the strings.

Where the G string is buzzing says what kind of fix is needed.  If it is at the tuners because strings are contacting between the tuners and the nut, then rewinding one high and the other low on the post can solve this.  If the problem is intermittent, then it may be the string simultaneously contacting a lower fret when playing a particular chord.  That may mean some minor fret dressing may be needed.

As far as light or medium strings, it's really a matter of personal choice and instrument finicky-ness. I use light strings on one A-style and medium on the other. They just sound and feel better to me that way. Some mandolins (like flat-tops) normally only can take light strings per maker's recommendation.

Edited by - SteveZ on 05/30/2014 07:04:34

Rickson - Posted - 05/30/2014:  10:16:43

Thanks. When I was changing the strings, one of the "new" D strings broke right away, so I was only able to change one D strings. Both of the new G strings and the one new D string seem to almost touch the tail piece, but the "old" D string does not. No idea what the "old" strings were but it sure doesn't look like the J74's... the "old" D looks like the "new" A string if that makes any sense. I added a Weber wood nymph maybe 6 - 7 months ago between the bridge & tailpiece, and love it as it really helped with harmonics. If I play it with the tailpiece off, I don't hear the "buzz" so I'm kind of thinking that the bridge is the problem. Thanks again, I'll keep working on it.

Ric

DHopkins - Posted - 06/01/2014:  20:15:33

I was using J74s for years but recently tried the J73s.  I like them.  They are a little lighter plus, they're a little easier for me to play.  They don't seem to last as long for me. It may be my body chemistry.  I normally change strings about every month and a half because of the discoloration at the low end of the fingerboard.  I'm gonna continue to use the J73s for the time being.

nickhy - Posted - 06/02/2014:  04:53:38

I use Martin M400 strings on my km250 and they do a great job