new strings

[Cary Fagan]

I just put on a new set of J74s (which is about all I've ever used) and as usual I wince for the first week. I find them too harsh, too wiry sounding when new. Is it just me or are there others who react that way? Maybe I should try some other strings. What do you think?

[MDW]

I hate the sound too. I've switched to the stainless steel JS-74's. The jangly sound when new is much less pronounced and only lasts about a day. Also I just liked the overall tone better and they bring out a better bass response on my mandolin.

Mark

[Bluegrasstjej]

I don't like the sound of new strings either. What brand are you talking about here? I use D'addario, that Ricky Skaggs brand, they're good strings but they have a lot of that awful sound of new strings.

[Bluegrass Boy]

The simple solution is to never change strings.

[mandopete]

You might give the D'Addario EXP coated strings a try. #I find that these strings sound a little less harsh when new and they are coated so they they last forever (or at least a couple of months anyway!).

[Ken Sager]

I'll gladly live with bright new strings over lifeless dead strings any day. I also switched from J74's to JS74, but more for the benefits of stainless. I think they sound terrific new, and stay fresh longer, too.

But that's just me.

Love to all,
Ken

[Rroyd]

I always thought that the function of new strings was to mask the quality of the instrument, so that the cheapest mandolin and the finest Loars would all sound just the same.

[John Flynn]

I respectfully disagree on the EXPs. I have used several sets and I find they take longer to break in than plain bronze, but not in the same way. They may not be as bright, but I find they have some weird overtones for a couple of weeks after you put them on. I do agree about the stainless strings. I have experimented with T-Is and Monels and I find they don't seem to have much of a break in. I think I am moving toward a general rule of using T-I's on my flat tops and Monels on my arch tops.

[glauber]

I like new strings, but i use plain steel.

[Tim Saxton]

I can't stand new strings. The D'Addario strings sound like #### for weeks on any of my 4 mandolins. I prefer to use D'Aquisto Stainless strings. They sound broke in out of the bag and last 2 times longer than the others.

Tim Saxton

[Fretbear]

I have never understood how a tone-meister like Grisman can use a brand new set every night. Doyle Lawson once said that he "hates the first show that he plays on a new set" and likes it when they "die a little". I use GHS Silk & Bronze, and while they also sound a "little" bright when brand new, it is short-lived and less extreme than compared to a set of P. Bronze.

[mrbook]

I used to put new strings on before every gig and liked the sound, but now when I change they go on 3-4 days ahead and stay on as long as I can tune them. 3-4 weeks and at least that many gigs and they seem louder and have just the right sound.

[wallflower]

Most every mandolin I've owned has sounded terrible with new strings. #But the Gibson I have now sounds great with new strings and it keeps sounding great until the strings get so bad they're like bailing wire. #I also had a Collings MF5 that sounded really good with new strings but then it sounded not very good after only a couple days of playing.

Kind of funny. #I think it depends entirely on the mandolin.

[Aran]

I have J74's and I reckon they are too light and don't give enough bark!!

So yesterday I have ordered 20 sets of J75's from first quality music as they are not available in Ireland.

I've been to at least 10 music shops in Dublin and none of them have any kind of heavy mandolin string!! I suppose for the traditional Irish style with open chords etc. the lighter strings work better!

I do like to support my local music shops but if it's not even available never mind more expensive it doesn't take much thinking about.

That's my 2 pennies

[picksnbits]

I played guitar for years and have always loved the sound of new strings on my guitar.

The first few times I put new strings on my mando I was sorely disappointed. Aged strings definitely sound better. D'addario J75's BTW.

[Chip Booth]

My first post on the cafe was asking what had happened to my new F5 when I put new strings on it. Suddenly it was dead, thin and lifeless. It was a week before the tone came back and I was terrified the whole time. I hate new strings, all brands so far, though some are less troublesome than others. It even seems to differ by gauge of the same brand. I leave strings on until they just aren't acceptible anymore, and then wait about a week.

Chip

[AndyG]

Anyone tried Elixir mando strings? It appears they are only available in Polyweb-the thick coating(which sound awful on guitar-I use Nanoweb).The reason I mention it is that my sweat chemistry kills strings in days,sometimes hours!

[Willie]

Cary...Here is my advice and of course every one has good advice...I use nothing but GHS Silk and Bronze and as soon as I install them and stretch them out a little I spray the with Finger ease spray, it keeps the wrapping from vibrating and you don`t get the bright ringing sound that you mentioned...Hope this helps, The GHS S&B also seems to last longer than anything I have ever tried, I gave away four sets of J-74`s, they suck along with D`Aquistos or what ever they are called....Good luck....Willie

[Cary Fagan]

Well, a lot of interesting replies. I guess the good news for someone like me is that we don't need to replace our strings as often.

A couple of questions you all might be able to answer. I've never drived D'Addario J75s. Can anyone describe the difference from 74s? More sound? Do they 'feel' different?

As for the GHS silk and bronze, do they come in different thicknesses and is there one that is closest to the J74s?

Thanks.

[250sc]

J75s are heavier and will feel stiffer. As to tone, it really depends on your mando and what sound your looking for. One thing you should do when you try any new string is play them for a while. When I went from J74s to 75s my mando didn't vibrate the way that it did when I used the 74s but after a couple of weeks it started to break in all over again and now they are my string of choice. On my Collings they sound the way I want them to brand new. I also have less problems with my A strings going out of tune.

Good luck.

I think new strings are great. I love having a little string sound to really balance out the mandolin. If you have a good mandolin it will not sound any better or worse with new or old strings. Either situation will just bring out a different tone. My mandolin happens to sound very round and warm with new strings so i dont have a problem.

Alex

[shiloh]

Hi
This topic is exactly what I needed to read tonight. I recently purchased a Lebeda F from Jeff Cowerd in Kentucky. The instrument came with SIT strings and set up well. I loved the tone. (And, BTW, Jeff is marvelous to work with and I adore this Lebeda mandolin!)
But, well, I've always used D'Addario. So two nights ago I put some EXPs on. My brand new, awesome mandolin, now sounds a lot less "great." I was about ready to put the former SIT strings on. Guess I'll wait a little longer.
I've never had this "problem" with new D'Addario strings. Thanks for all the comments. I'll wait awhile for these strings to settle in before I panic. I love this mandolin and was afraid I really screwed up a good thing.
Jill
San Diego

[steve in tampa]

Gibson Sam Bush strings sound pretty good out of the box on several instruments that I have put them on.

Got some EXP 75s that lasted about as long, but prefer the monel feel and sound.

I like the FT74s. Nice tone and feel. Have yet to break an A string, but I don't punish my music like some.

Tried the Elixers, and they last well, but the sound is thin.

Regular 74's and 75's are bright at first, bbut settle in after a couple hours of hard playing.

I tend to play at least a couple of instruments regularly so I can compare and have something ready to go for a gig.

Keep coming back to the Gibson Sam Bush strings as the all around favorite.

[Pete Martin]

What Steve said, try the Monels.

[Dano Reible]

Wow, now I have to decide what strings to get. What kind does Eastman send on when you buy a new mando? The guitar player in my blues band is a GHS dealer so maybe I will try some of those.