Strings for more sustain

[John Flynn]

As we all know, mandos are pretty sustain-challenged and low sustain is great for some kinds of music, like bluegrass. One of the reasons I like oval hole mandos, though, is I like at least as much sustain as I can get.

I also have a Rigel A+ F-hole, however, and it has good volume, but is not much for sustain, so I'm looking for a string set that maximizes what it does have. It is set up very well and I have tried lots of string sets on it. Right now, I have EXP77's on it, which are just OK for sustain. I was wondering if anyone has found a string set that maximizes sustain.

[250sc]

I think sustain is more a product of the construction of the instrument than the strings as long as the strings are new. I've always thought that archtop/f hole instruments have a strong fundimental tone but little sustain and overtones. Flattop instruments with round holes seem to sustain better and have more overtones, but that's just my opinion.

Try an army/navy copy. They can be real nice and they're not expensive.

[John Flynn]

Good tip on the Army/Navy copy. I actually have one of those, but didn't really think about using it instead of the Rigel. Might be a solution. Thanks.

To your point about sustain being more a product of construction than strings, I agree, but certainly strings, even new ones, are still a factor. It has been talked about here multiple times that for instance, Monel strings have less sustain than others and that is just fine with bluegrass players. So it is reasonable to assume that there are strings at the other end of the spectrum. Based on my experience, I think EXP74's are probably somewhere on the other end of spectrum, but I was hoping someone knew of something that was even further in that direction.

[UnityGain]

Coated strings, definatly. They will really help.

Also picking closer to the middle of the string helps, I find that the closer you pick the center of the string the better the sustain, aso rounded tip pics help too. It might not technically make more sustain, but to my ears it does. It might be that if puts more energy into the strings and therefore it takes longer for the strings to release that energy. dunno.

Some claim a heavy cast tailpeice will also help, I'm a skeptic but thats what they say...

[foldedpath]

I tend to think sustain is either in the instrument or it's not, but here are a few ideas you could try (along with what others have said):

Heavier strings? You could move up a little in string gauge with something like EXP75's, if I'm reading the specs right. Generally speaking (always a dangerous phrase), heavier string gauges sustain longer with the same attack... although this is still going to depend on your individual instrument and its quirks.

Flatwounds? I don't play bluegrass, mostly OldTime, ITM and blues, and I really like the TI Starks or the similar Jazzmando set for a woody, sustain-heavy sound. It may be that the damping of high frequencies in flatwound strings, helps give the impression that the string is ringing longer on the fundamental, after the initial attack is gone. Or maybe that's just my imagination.

Also, I like UnityGain's recommendation for a rounded tip pick. I use a Fender Heavy guitar pick (which isn't really all that heavy in the mandolin world), turned on its side, picking with the rounded shoulder edge. That trades some initial attack "ping" for driving the string with a bit more pick surface.