The right strings

[weekstimmy]

I've used all kinds of different strings on my mandolin, and I was wondering what some of your favorites were?

[mandobassman]

Now you've done it. Opened up a "What's the best strings" shootout.

A large majority of Bluegrass players seem to favor D'Addario J74's, although lately there has been a lot of praise for the DR strings. For me, I have used flatwound strings for many years and will probably continue to do so. I love the smoothness of the feel and sound from flatwound. Used Thomastik for several years but now use D'Addario's FW74's. Once they break in, the sound seems to never change and I can leave them on for more than a year.

[bingoccc]

John Pearse heavies. They bark.

[3rdegree]

I really like the D'Addario EXP's 74 & 75. I'm trying the different gauges at the moment to see which is best.

[LongBlackVeil]

I don't have a "favorite string"

They react so differently depending on the mandolin.

For instance I put dr md11s on my weber and hated them, but I put them on my ellis and they are the best strings by far for that mandolin.

When I get a new mandolin, I really do try as many as I can.

I usually just try daddario exp74, ghs a270s, daddario exp77s, and dr md11s. So I guess you could say those are my favorite, but I love the flatwound daddarios on oval holes as well

[Joey Anchors]

So far I am really liking Pyramid Pure Nickel Classics. They make my Gretsch G9310 ring and the pure nickel wrap round core are lower tension which is a plus for me.

[Paul Busman]

I like flatwound strings too. I made up a set from single strings at the local music store and put them on my Fullerton Gloucester acoustic and also an Eastwood Electric. I love the smooth feel and they have plenty of oomph for what I play (mostly Irish)

[William Smith]

Big can O'Worms! Me thinks anyway, each mando may need a different gauge/brand to help get its true "voice"/ potential? I used to be of the school well what can I afford. now for my old main Gibson F-7 conversion I love the power/force I get from the EXP 75's or just the J-75's I believe they are a really heavy gauge. Experiment.

[Denman John]

I'll be getting a new mandolin in about a week and look forward to trying out different strings and see how they sound. It has DR's on it right now, but the current owner/seller says he doesn't like them and prefers j-74s. I'll try those out and get a feel for them then give GHS silk and bronze a try. I also like Thomastik's. I love them on my Pomeroy, but my son prefers Sam Bush monals on the same mandolin.

Enjoy the journey!
John

[Astro]

They all sound a little different until you get used to them and then they all sound about the same until you change them again and then they sound a little different until you get used to them and then they sound about the same for awhile until you change them and then.....

[Pick&Grin]

I've been using D'Addario stainless-steel strings, as they have great lasting power and I've been getting a nice tone out of them (they don't buzz-out for a long time). That said, I recently read that they can wear on the frets, so I'm going to change things up on the next round.

[Bertram Henze]

my vote goes to left strings.

[Barry Wilson]

I am with LonBlackVeil. I have a box of string sets and depending on the mandolin. Mostly D'addario but J's, FT's and exps (74 and some 62's... 62's on the electric so can bend them notes but also have John Pearse