I have recently bought an octave mandolin and the two packets of strings which came with it are on their last legs. I have tried numerous shops but am now resigned to the fact that I'm going to have to get them on the internet. Can any of you recommend a good set of strings and tell me where I might find them?
Where are you narcu? If you're limited to a web purchase, juststrings.com has a great selection for all types of strings mandolinish. If you're not in the US, and don't want to buy a lot at once, the postage might be too much though...
I agree with Rob B. I have been buying my strings from Malcolm Newton for several years now for my mandolin and octave mandolin. Top quality, and a very reasonable price.
Why not go to your local music shop and get 2 packages of guitar strings. Experiment with gauges a bit, and when it comes to putting them on, just take a pair of pliers and squeeze that little ball on the end until it breaks.
I've used D'Addario mandola strings. There long enough and within the range for gages. I've heard good things about Newtone but I haven't tried them yet.
I play a Weber Sage OM and have been using John Pearse (.012, .021, .032, .045) strings per the recommendation of Weber. They're nice and bright with solid performance. For a while. I've been noticing that with regular play (several hours/week plus some longer jam periods) they lose their brightness pretty rapidly (a matter of weeks). I know that pros change their strings before every gig (or every few days), but a) I'm not a pro and b) I don't have that kind of dough for strings! I've settled into a pattern of changing them every 3 months or so (or before a big gig) and it's fine. (I used something else when I first got the instrument in 99, but I can't remember what brand...)
I also use juststrings.com and have been very happy with their service...prompt and predictable.
I recently bought a set of D'Addario OM strings (.012, .022, .032, .046) just to branch out a bit and see what kind of sound and longevity they'd have. Can anyone else compare and contrast D'Addario and Pearse? How about Newton vs. the others? What do you like about the Newtone strings?
I pay about $7-8 per set for the John Pearses (and about the same ...a bit less...for the D'Addarios) + postage. How much are the Newtones?
While we're at it, does anyone use special products (or tricks) to increase the life or performance of OM strings?? A banjo player I jam with handed me some string lube the other day after he got tired of hearing me slide up and down the fretboard. He says it increases the life of strings in addition to reducing the annoying screeching. I've also seen impregnated string-cleaning cloths, etc, that are supposed to remove the grime after a session. Do these work?
I use a rag with WD40, works the same and preseves the life. I rarely change strings and play alot out, I think it's a trap to have to have the new string sound and if you have a number og instruments, it costs a fortune.
Octave Mandolin (mandola) Strings
Octave Mandolin (mandola) Strings
I have recently bought an octave mandolin and the two packets of strings which came with it are on their last legs. I have tried numerous shops but am now resigned to the fact that I'm going to have to get them on the internet. Can any of you recommend a good set of strings and tell me where I might find them?
# Posted on October 25th 2005 by An Deargán
Re: Octave Mandolin (mandola) Strings
Where are you narcu? If you're limited to a web purchase, juststrings.com has a great selection for all types of strings mandolinish. If you're not in the US, and don't want to buy a lot at once, the postage might be too much though...
# Posted on October 25th 2005 by Keith Dubinsky
Re: Octave Mandolin (mandola) Strings
IMO Newtone are great strings. Great sound, long lasting. I order them over the net.
http://www.acousticguitar.net/newtone.html
# Posted on October 25th 2005 by Robby B.
Re: Octave Mandolin (mandola) Strings
I agree with Rob B. I have been buying my strings from Malcolm Newton for several years now for my mandolin and octave mandolin. Top quality, and a very reasonable price.
# Posted on October 26th 2005 by Geoff Pollitt
Re: Octave Mandolin (mandola) Strings
Why not go to your local music shop and get 2 packages of guitar strings. Experiment with gauges a bit, and when it comes to putting them on, just take a pair of pliers and squeeze that little ball on the end until it breaks.
# Posted on October 26th 2005 by downtowndalebrown
Re: Octave Mandolin (mandola) Strings
I've used D'Addario mandola strings. There long enough and within the range for gages. I've heard good things about Newtone but I haven't tried them yet.
# Posted on October 26th 2005 by McMandolin
Re: Octave Mandolin (mandola) Strings
Am I correct in thinking that you use the same guages as mandolin strings
# Posted on October 26th 2005 by Ripthecalico
Re: Octave Mandolin (mandola) Strings
I have mandola gage strings1.32 .89 .64 .38
# Posted on October 26th 2005 by McMandolin
Re: Octave Mandolin (mandola) Strings
I play a Weber Sage OM and have been using John Pearse (.012, .021, .032, .045) strings per the recommendation of Weber. They're nice and bright with solid performance. For a while. I've been noticing that with regular play (several hours/week plus some longer jam periods) they lose their brightness pretty rapidly (a matter of weeks). I know that pros change their strings before every gig (or every few days), but a) I'm not a pro and b) I don't have that kind of dough for strings! I've settled into a pattern of changing them every 3 months or so (or before a big gig) and it's fine. (I used something else when I first got the instrument in 99, but I can't remember what brand...)
I also use juststrings.com and have been very happy with their service...prompt and predictable.
I recently bought a set of D'Addario OM strings (.012, .022, .032, .046) just to branch out a bit and see what kind of sound and longevity they'd have. Can anyone else compare and contrast D'Addario and Pearse? How about Newton vs. the others? What do you like about the Newtone strings?
I pay about $7-8 per set for the John Pearses (and about the same ...a bit less...for the D'Addarios) + postage. How much are the Newtones?
While we're at it, does anyone use special products (or tricks) to increase the life or performance of OM strings?? A banjo player I jam with handed me some string lube the other day after he got tired of hearing me slide up and down the fretboard. He says it increases the life of strings in addition to reducing the annoying screeching. I've also seen impregnated string-cleaning cloths, etc, that are supposed to remove the grime after a session. Do these work?
Thx,
Gordon
Where do you get
# Posted on October 26th 2005 by roaringj
Re: Octave Mandolin (mandola) Strings
I use a rag with WD40, works the same and preseves the life. I rarely change strings and play alot out, I think it's a trap to have to have the new string sound and if you have a number og instruments, it costs a fortune.
# Posted on October 26th 2005 by pick&bow
Re: Octave Mandolin (mandola) Strings
Q. Do same gauge strings have different poundage i.e .032 string, has this string the same poundage regardless of the brand.
Genuine question no flak please.
# Posted on June 27th 2009 by O'Riabhaigh
Re: Octave Mandolin (mandola) Strings
http://www.daddario.com/DAstringtensionguide.Page?ActiveID=1762
Please ignore my last questioned answered on above website.
# Posted on June 27th 2009 by O'Riabhaigh