Eastman strings

[guitharsis]

Would like to change the D'Addario J74 strings on my 2 month old Eastman 604. Thinking of D'Addario J62 or
Thomastik-Infeld Mediums. Any suggestions?

[chuck.naill]

I changed to silk and steel. I will probably go back to the 74's for volume, tone, and sustain.

Chuck

[JEStanek]

I have an Eastman oval hole and I really love the JazzMando JM-11 Flatwounds. (http://www.jazzmando.com/jazzmando_jm11_flatwound_strings.shtml) They cost 1/2 of the Thomastic and give a great tone and playability on my Eastman. Perhaps a tad less volume but the feel and tone give me what I like. I use the ProPlecs or a Dawg pick on them as well. Well worth a trial set.

Jamie

[Jason Kessler]

I changed the strings on my 614 last night from the JM-11 flatwounds back to the 74s. The flatwounds felt great, but I missed the brightness, sustain, and fullness of tone that I get with the 74s.

[bjc]

Greetings,

I'm using the TI's on all my mandos. Sounds like you want a lighter gauge. I used the 62's for a long time and enjoyed them. The one thing you didn't say was what type of tunes you play. If it's Grass, you might want to go to the D'addarios. They are brighter. Though I've heard from quite a few Grassers who use TIs as well.
But, if you play classical, jazz, blues, folk or rock, I'd absolutley look at the TI's or the JM-11s on Jazzmando.com. You may want to swap out the e and a on the JM-11s if the lighter gauge is important for you (making the cost a little more).
You may want to (and I have no financial interest here) go to Ted's site and order one set of each (TIs and JM-11s). Put the JM-11s on first 'cuz the TIs will last a while (My 614 has same set on for a little over 6 months).
Hope this helps a little. Just remember experimenting is half the fun and what might be right for me, might not be right for you.

[vfont]

I switched to Ti heavies on my Eastman 615. My daughter and I played "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" together last Sunday evening in church. She was on an electric keyboard and I was on the mando unmiked. The first time through I stayed in a low octave to emphasize her playing on the piano. The second time through I played an octave higher. The sound carried to the back of the auditorium nice and clear. Everyone said the mando sounded great.

[guitharsis]

Thanks for your replies. My 604 with the J74's is bright open and responsive. Very nice. I am looking for a lighter gauge. I belong to a Mandolin Orchestra and we play mostly folk, some classical. We may be including some jazz and blues in time.

Will look forward to trying the JM-11's and the TI's.

[Celtic Saguaro]

I'm not as fond of J62's as I am of J74's. I'd suggest Martin M400s instead if you want something lighter with similar brightness. They won't last like TI's, but then they don't cost nearly as much either.

[guitharsis]

Thanks, Celtic. The mandolin does have a nice bright sound but I would like a warmer sound. The TI's or JM-11 would offer that.

[Martin Jonas]

I read this a lot here that flatwounds give a warmer sounds, but I'm not convinced. They give a less bright sound and less pick click, but that's not the same as warmth. I find phosphor bronze to be warmer and more mellow than flatwounds.

Martin

[guitharsis]

Interesting, Martin. On another mandolin I've used D'Addario FT74's, Flat tops, Phosphor Bronze and J62's. It's presently strung with Thomastik's and I do like the sound. Don't know if the descriptor "warmer" applies but, as you say, they're not as bright and definitely a sound that I like a lot.

Got me to thinking if we all hear things a little differently or if we describe them differently or both.

[guitharsis]

Have the TI's on the Eastman now. #The mandolin is still open and responsive with a sweet mellow sound and good volume. #The lighter gauge works well for me too.

[latentaudio]

Have the TI's on the Eastman now. The mandolin is still open and responsive with a sweet mellow sound and good volume. The lighter gauge works well for me too.

Any other thoughts on this after using the TIs for a few months? Do you think you will stick with the TIs or go back to J74s?

[DryBones]

how about the new J73's? they sound like a nice in between of the J62's and the J74's gauge-wise. I have 2 sets on order and was thinking of them for my 505 and my 604 when it comes in.

[guitharsis]

Mark,
I'll definitely strick with the TI's. Just love the sound on my Eastman and Mathers. Yes, they are more expensive but do last a long time.
Doreen

[guitharsis]

Jason,
I've never tried J73's. Let us know what you think of them.
Doreen

[Tailspin]

Well, everyone else covered a lot of good points. Let me offer only this, I played j74's on my 615 for a while. I thought I would try the j62's for a while. I gave them a good try for a few months. The 62's are lighter so you feel like you can play a bit quicker and you can get some better sound from Hammers and pulloffs but they dont have the volume (to me) and you cant bang on them like you can the 74's. So it depends on what you play. I like to bang the heck out of my strings. Also, keep in mind that if your mando is not set up for 62's you may get a lot of buzzing and weird stuff going on.