Strings

[mandochuck]

Newbie here to the forum and the mandolin. My mando came to me with light guage strings on it and I have heard a lot of talk about medium guage strings being the strings to use.

1. If I go from the light guage to medium will there need to be any adjustments made to the slots in the nut and/or bridge?

2. Will a heavier string affect the neck over time. This mando has no truss rod adjustment if it even has one which I doubt.

and what strings are recommened as a starter set...chuck

[John Flynn]

One guage of string is not universally better than another. The important thing is to match the type of string to your instrument and playing style. What kind of mando do you have? You should be sure your instrument can handle heavier strings. If there is no truss rod, you may want to be careful. Even if it can handle them, it may, or may not sound better with them. Every instrument is different. The following is a huge generalizations, but I have found that less expensive mandos and flat top mandos tend to sound better with lighter strings. It also makes them easier to play and it really doesn't effect the volume that much. The better arch tops, though, tend to really come alive with heavier strings.

To directly answer your questions: It is possible that might need adjustments changing gauges, but you may get by without adjustments. It is possible that a heavier gauge will permanently effect the neck, but probably not. A good luthier who has examined your instrument could make a much better determination.

[mandochuck]

Thanks Mando Johnny. #Yea, it is a cheap Johnson less than a tank a gas these days. #I bought it as a stepping stone instrument to see if I would like it without a big cash outlay and I do. #Really didnt want a family member on my birthday last week to surprise me with a Walmart Special. #She sounded better than the Sam Ash display models under $200.00 or so. #Pretty sure from what you said that I should stay with the light strings that came on her...thanks for your input...chuck