mad dawg
Nov-22-2004, 10:23am
(Yet another thread about string preferences...)
If you have different mandolins set up for different music or playing styles, what different strings do you use for each, and why?
John Flynn
Nov-22-2004, 10:49am
I have just finished a "string experimentation" phase and the jury is in, for me. I have three mandos for three purposes: A Rigel A+ Deluxe for church music, situations where I need more volume and my very infrequent dabbling in rock, blues and bluegrass. After a professional setup and trying FTs, EXPs and J67s, I have come "back home" to J74s. They have the volume and are closest to the sound I want, even though they lack a mellowness or woodiness I would prefer. I may try J75s, JS74s and/or Monels at some point, but for now, the J74s are very satisfactory.
I have a Parsons Flat-top that I use for old-time, which is my main genre. After a professional set up and trying T-Is and FTs, I returned to my original choice for that mando/genre, GHS Silk and Steels. They have a nice "bell-like" quality I am looking for. The T-I's had too little volume and I had buzzing and breaking problems with the wound A strings on both the T-Is and the FTs.
I have a Medieros Travel Mandolin that I just use to practice in my hotel room three nights a week. I have T-Is on that, because I don't care about volume and the T-Is relieve some of the tinny sound that travel mandos tend to have.