Mixed String Sets

[MikeB]

This is going to sound dopey, I suppose, but has anyone ever tried using mixed sets of strings, as in mixing the pairs?

I'm wondering what effect one might get from one J74 G string, say, and an FT for the other one. Same with the D strings, assuming the same guage. Come to think of it, why couldn't you mix guages, too? The plains, of course, wouldn't change...although I suppose you might try a flat wound with a plain A string.

This is just idle speculation. Seems everything else has been tried. If it gave a pleasant sound, you'd always have two completes sets of strings. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Doug Edwards]

I tried a wound A (FT) and plain A to see if I liked it. I couldn't get it off fast enough. They were very unbalanced in the sound. I haven't tried other combinations.

[arbarnhart]

I tried one nickel wound and one brass wound together. I favored each for different styles of music. I didn't care for it.

[mikeyes]

This is another of those experiments that work for some instruments and not for others. In addition there are so many combinations that the head swims and the pocketbook empties quickly. So single case trials mean nothing.

However, you might get lucky like I did and find that a particular combination works well (74 and 74s combo, I have a set just like them at home http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif) IF that happens you can become a convert. You never know until you try.