Strings

[John Bertotti]

I have a vega bowl back. Received it and loved it. Wanted to try different strings took off what it had and put on ghs classicals. I think the dd, ee, and, aa strings sound better but the gg is not nearly as pleasant as what it had on it. ( I use an autostrobe for intonation ) What are the points to take into account when finding/mixing strings for the preferred tone. Is it done? Can it be Done? Should it be done? I don't know what was on it. I'm sure I was told but I don't remember. Perhaps I should first pursue other string sets before mixing and matching. Any advice will help. Thanks all John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[Jim Garber]

Hi John: The strings that were on your Vega were D'Addario J62s. They are considered light gauge (as compared to the std J74s or even heavier J75s). The GHS are even lighter. #The J62s are also 80/20 bronze rather than phosphor, which will also affect the sound.

Mixing and matching would be fine, I would think. You also could try carbon steel strings, from Dogal 92b set which would work nicely on the Vega.

I always start with the GHS ultralights and then if I like the way the mandolin plays move up to a better string.

Jim

[Bob A]

It's not uncommon for the wound strings to take a little while to settle in. A few days to a week of playing may well improve the sound.

Then again, it may not. If it were my dilemma, I'd try to find a string set that I liked, just to save the hassle of mix & match.

[John Bertotti]

hey guys, I am salivating to try the consorts but will be trying the dogals. If all else fails I'll mix and match. I am reintonating today just in case but the GG has just sunk in tonal quality over the last two weeks. I think I'll try the j62s again also. I play it in small increments many times in an evening. I would say around a total of two hours a night, Thanks John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif