String Suggestions for Larson/Maurer?

[racuda]

I have this 1931 Maurer mandolin:
http://home.earthlink.net/~racuda/images/maurer.jpg

So far I have tried Black Diamond, .0095-.035 and DR lights, .010-.036.

I did not like the Black Diamond. They sounded wimpy. The DR's sound pretty good.

What strings will bring out the full potential of this instrument? Would it be safe to go with a heavier gauge, like .011-.040?

[Eugene]

This is gorgeous, racuda. #Personally, I probably wouldn't use a set to go above 0.10" on e". #I am really fond of the "Calace" brand of carbon steel by Dogal (http://www.dogalstrings.it/). #They start life too twangy, but age well and last forever. #I would expect this piece should be able to tolerate their RW-92 "medio" set.

These were not built for bluegrass. I find the sound generated by such things when strung with appropriately lightish strings and whacked upon with blunt, Dawg-like picks to be whimpy. They just don't really "chop." #Pointier picks do it for me on similar, canted-top, low-bridged instruments of that era. #What kind of pick are you using?

[racuda]

Eugene, I've gone through a lot of picks and have settled on the 1.2mm Wegen pick http://www.elderly.com/images/tiny/accessories/PK/WPL-TF140-WHT.jpg

My interest is "Old Time" music a la Norman Blake.

Are the strings you mentioned available in the States? I could only find them in Europe.

[Eugene]

Greetings racuda,
I get Dogal strings from a violin shop in California called Classic Bows. #You can reach them at classicbows@cox.net or 1-888-402-5277. #Talk to Greg Gohde; he's their mandoguy.