I have a 22 inch scale length Octave Mandolin. For four years now I've had it strung with:
.044W .030W .020W and .012
I've never been happy with the tone of the 0.20W on the "A" course. It's too nasally. I'm wondering if a switch to a lighter gauge might help? Or use flat strings (not wound) for the A course....
As I don't know anyone locally with an OM, perhaps if I could get a few opinions on here, and just "check out" what other people are using and are happy with....
Re: Octave Mandolin String Gauges - what do you use?
Greg,
Each instrument is a little different. The "nasal" sound of your .020W might benefit from being made larger since the core of a string that size is much smaller and you might get a richer tone from a larger gage string.
Another factor might be the material that the strinns are made of: Nickel, bronze, stainless, Monel, etc. all sound different from one another.
I have a Dave Dart (http://www.luthier.com) OM and he recommened the set you have with a .048 in G string. He was correct, there was a wonderful difference. Just like banjos, you have to experiment a little to find the correct set that will work on your OM. Once you find the right combination (e.g. I use a mixed set of J-74 and J74S on my mandolin) then you can buy the sets as singles from FQMS or Juststrings and probably end up saving in the long run.
Re: Octave Mandolin String Gauges - what do you use?
"These are your own pick of gauge?"
No, it's what came on the instrument. I think they were D'Addario's, and that's what I've bought. It's okay, and using D'Addario's, the tension across the courses is fairly even with these gauges. But as I said, I've never been all that happy with it. So, I figured it was about time to explore other options... (yeah after 4 years, but we won't go there.
Thanks for the tips... (both of you). If I go with a much larger gauge, I'll have to get my nut filled out a bit so the strings don't stick...
Re: Octave Mandolin String Gauges - what do you use?
You may just have to go to a .021 or change the material that the strings are made of. A lighter string (an .018, for example) might work too, you can get them as singles and try them out. Don't forget the graphite trick of rubbing a pencil in the nut slot.
Re: Octave Mandolin String Gauges - what do you use?
You can get single strings, loop-ended or ball, d'Addario or Rotosound in both nickel and phosphor bronze from http://www.highlystrung.co.uk/acatalog/Single_strings.html in the UK (maybe not of interest to people in the USA). I was looking to experiment with different gauges of phosphor bronze on banjo and just ordered some Rotosound strings (they came promptly today). I like Rotosound strings and also have them on my tenor guitar.
Re: Octave Mandolin String Gauges - what do you use?
I agree with Mike Keys to go up, you could try low tension phosphor bronze guitar strings, take out the ball end if you need a loop, they shouldn't need any adjustment to the nut. Save money and try one string at a time and don't cut the ends!
Octave Mandolin String Gauges - what do you use?
Octave Mandolin String Gauges - what do you use?
I have a 22 inch scale length Octave Mandolin. For four years now I've had it strung with:
.044W .030W .020W and .012
I've never been happy with the tone of the 0.20W on the "A" course. It's too nasally. I'm wondering if a switch to a lighter gauge might help? Or use flat strings (not wound) for the A course....
As I don't know anyone locally with an OM, perhaps if I could get a few opinions on here, and just "check out" what other people are using and are happy with....
# Posted on July 20th 2007 by Grack
Re: Octave Mandolin String Gauges - what do you use?
These are your own pick of guage? Seems an uneven choice to me, just my thinking. I use these,
http://www.eaglemusicshop.com/details1.asp/ProductID/5199/sid/259/Octave-mandolin-strings-newtone.htm
I find Newtone strings nice for the money and even tensioned to play with good volume.
http://saitenkatalog.de/shop1/product_info.php/products_id/15397?osCsid=aa159ad0d49a8247d3593a7b3d6d30c5
I've used these for playing classical music, they are sweet though costly, fisoma are nice overall.
I don't like d'addario.
If you are in Europe, this store is hard to beat.
http://saitenkatalog.de/home/index.php?osCsid=aa159ad0d49a8247d3593a7b3d6d30c5
# Posted on July 20th 2007 by stevecomputer
Re: Octave Mandolin String Gauges - what do you use?
Greg,
Each instrument is a little different. The "nasal" sound of your .020W might benefit from being made larger since the core of a string that size is much smaller and you might get a richer tone from a larger gage string.
Check out Elderly for a nice selection of OM strings at http://www.elderly.com/accessories/items/GOMPB.htm (go to the lower right hand corner for all the strings that they sell.)
Another factor might be the material that the strinns are made of: Nickel, bronze, stainless, Monel, etc. all sound different from one another.
I have a Dave Dart (http://www.luthier.com) OM and he recommened the set you have with a .048 in G string. He was correct, there was a wonderful difference. Just like banjos, you have to experiment a little to find the correct set that will work on your OM. Once you find the right combination (e.g. I use a mixed set of J-74 and J74S on my mandolin) then you can buy the sets as singles from FQMS or Juststrings and probably end up saving in the long run.
Mike Keyes
http://www.mikekeyes.com
http://www.banjosessions.com
# Posted on July 20th 2007 by mikeyes
Re: Octave Mandolin String Gauges - what do you use?
"These are your own pick of gauge?"
No, it's what came on the instrument. I think they were D'Addario's, and that's what I've bought. It's okay, and using D'Addario's, the tension across the courses is fairly even with these gauges. But as I said, I've never been all that happy with it. So, I figured it was about time to explore other options... (yeah after 4 years, but we won't go there.
Thanks for the tips... (both of you). If I go with a much larger gauge, I'll have to get my nut filled out a bit so the strings don't stick...
# Posted on July 20th 2007 by Grack
Re: Octave Mandolin String Gauges - what do you use?
You may just have to go to a .021 or change the material that the strings are made of. A lighter string (an .018, for example) might work too, you can get them as singles and try them out. Don't forget the graphite trick of rubbing a pencil in the nut slot.
Mike Keyes
http://www.banjosessions.com
http://www.mikekeyes.com
# Posted on July 21st 2007 by mikeyes
Re: Octave Mandolin String Gauges - what do you use?
You can get single strings, loop-ended or ball, d'Addario or Rotosound in both nickel and phosphor bronze from http://www.highlystrung.co.uk/acatalog/Single_strings.html in the UK (maybe not of interest to people in the USA). I was looking to experiment with different gauges of phosphor bronze on banjo and just ordered some Rotosound strings (they came promptly today). I like Rotosound strings and also have them on my tenor guitar.
# Posted on July 21st 2007 by RichardB
Re: Octave Mandolin String Gauges - what do you use?
I agree with Mike Keys to go up, you could try low tension phosphor bronze guitar strings, take out the ball end if you need a loop, they shouldn't need any adjustment to the nut. Save money and try one string at a time and don't cut the ends!
# Posted on July 23rd 2007 by stevecomputer