Strings, Strings, Strings

[Kevin Briggs]

Just did a little string experiment and thought I'd share.

I usually play J75s, and enjoy a thick, fat, loud tone. However, I struggle with the string thickness, just enough to make difficult runs more difficult. Pinky stuff is driving me nuts with J75s.

I bought a pack of FTJ74s and EPJ74s, and thought I'd give both a try, just to see what all the fuss is about. I had previously tried regular J74s and been dissatisfied with the decrease in tone.

I put the FTJ74s on this morning and played them for a while, until I heard a little more bass than right at first. I went to a jam from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. and gave those FTs a good workout. I noticed a severe decrease in volume, and a more metallic sound from them, almost a tinniness, but not quite that bad. By the end of the jam I had a good enough idea about them and vowed to try the EPJ74s.

I know I didn't give the FTs a long chance, but my J75s always kicked right when I put them on, so I know early string life can be good. I came home and after playing some more put on the EPJ74s. This was much more satisfying. There was a slight decline in fatness from the J75s, but nothing too dramatic. Most importantly, they were way better than the FTs. In addition, they were better, to my ear, than the regular J74s.

I think the EPJ74s are my new string. They sound good out of the box, and they'll break in a bit and sound even better. I feel like I'm getting the good action I want, and at the same time I'm maximizing the capabilities of my mandolin.

Thoughts? Stories?

[glauber]

What's an EPJ74? I know the EXP74s are the coated version, and i think i remember Big Joe says they're hot in Nashville.

[Kevin Briggs]

Yeah, that's what I meant, EXPJ74.

[acousticphd]

You should reverse the experiment, to where you try the FTs last, after 5 hrs of playing when you're all loose and juiced. #(Meanwhile, how 'bout sending me those ft74s with only 3 hrs on them? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif . #Funny you wouldn't try the exp75s - wouldn't they seem the closest match to your regulars? #I'm also curious whether you think the coated versions of the J74s feel "fatter" than the regular J74s because they're coated? #I wonder if you tried the regular J74s again when you're having a real good playing day and well warmed up, you'd like them more. #?

[Kevin Briggs]

The FTs just didn't have "it" from the get-go. The EXPJ74s have "it" every time I play (since Saturday).

I absolutely believe the EXPJ74s have a fatter sound than the regular J74s, on my mandolin anyway. I played a set of regular J74s for a few weeks, including two bluegrass jams, one bluegrass band parctice, one bluegrass band gig, and daily playing at home for at least an hour. By the end of all of that they sounded like they weren't as thin, but maybe they were just dead. So far, EXPJ74s are my new string.

The EXPJ75s would have bee interesting, I'm sure. I just wanted something a tad bit slinkier for faster action. My pinky could barely handle the J75s on my mandolin. The sound was great, really fat and loud and booming. However, I could only play at about 70% of what I am capable, in my opinion, and the EXPJ74s are a moe than adequate compromise. I sacrificed only a little bit of fatness, and gained a lot of action.

[Lane Pryce]

I have yet to try a coated string. The old timey sound of Phos-Bronze in a J75 gauge is hard to beat IMO. Lp

[Kevin Briggs]

You're right, J. Those J75s have the best tone by far. I just can't hang with the tension man. My wimpy fingers need something a little lighter.

[Kevin Briggs]

By the way, I am selling my supply of J75s for a good deal, if anyone wants them.

9 sets for $30. That's only a little more than $3 a pack. I'll pick up shipping, priority mail.

I'm just looking to make enough $$ from the sale to buy a few packs of the lighter guage I'm going with. There's nothing wrong with the sets.

[Fliss]

I wish I was in America, those J75s are a great deal! I don't suppose your offer to pick up the cost of shipping covers England, does it???

I recently e-mailed Garrison to find out what the strings are on my mando, which are quite heavy, and found out that they are J75s. I love them, although in the past I've always been a fan of light gauge strings, I love the sound of these, and they're what my mando's set up for.

Fliss

[glauber]

You may want to try the Elyxirs (sp?) too. They're "the other coated string" out there. I used them once and liked them. Read somewhere that Thile uses or used them.

[Kevin Briggs]

Well, the J75s are spoken for.

I owuld have paid regular shipping to England I guess. I really wanted to move them and offered them so low because I got them as a gift anyway.

There's $30 towards my new strings!

[Fliss]

Just my luck! Still, good luck with the new lighter gauge strings!

Fliss

[Dave Hanson]

Fliss, you could try Bruce Dix at musixnow.com he did me a good deal on Daddario J74s last year, I got 12 sets for £3.80 per set INCLUDING post and packing, which is less than half the UK price, I shared them with Barry of WWW.mandolin.org.uk and we advertised it on the site but no one else seemed to want any.

Dix Bruce is a great bloke to deal with anyway.

Dave H