Introduction and Mandola string question

**solarbean** · Oct-01-2006, 5:15pm

Hi. Just wanted to introduce myself and ask a question.

My name is Kurt. I live in Littleton, MA. I am a long time fingerstyle guitarist (amateur) and have recently purchased a Weber Mandola. I am very excited to be getting started in the Mando family.

This site is a wonderful resource and seems to have a great community.

I believe I need to change the strings on my 'Dola. It currently has 12-48 gauge strings. It is a bit tougher to fret cleanly than my guitar. (I usually use lights on acoustic guitar.) Would anyone recommend lighter strings? Also, are there coated strings available that will work on my little girl?

Thanks

**Ted Eschliman** · Oct-01-2006, 6:31pm

Current options:

D'Addario J72 #Lights or (not really) Lights.

GHS PF285 Octave Mandolin Strings work great for mandola, too.

JD-13 Labella Flatwound Mandola #supposed to be out in two weeks. (Of course I've been saying two weeks since May...) Pardon the shameless plug, but prototypes currently on my Q-200 are amazing.

**morgan** · Oct-01-2006, 10:34pm

Kurt -

If you search the CBOM section, older posts, there is a post on "mandola string gauges" that you may find helpful.

**solarbean** · Oct-02-2006, 6:56pm

Thanks, Guys.

I did check before posting and saw the interesting thread on Mandola strings. I really love the longevity of the coated strings for guitar and was hoping that something may be available for Mandola. It looks like Elixir makes coated strings for Mandolin, but not Mandola. Too bad.

**Steve L** · Oct-02-2006, 7:41pm

Hi Kurt, greetings from Arlington. I can't remember if Thomastik makes mandola strings, but they might be worth a try if they do. Don't go into sticker shock over the price, they last for a really long time.

What type of music will you be playing on your 'dola?

**solarbean** · Oct-02-2006, 10:16pm

Hi Steve.

I do mostly folky stuff on the guitar, but lately I have been learning pop tunes from the 30's and 40's. I have done a couple of performances at Nursing Homes and hope to do more.

I have thought about joining in at the BBU Picking Party in Groton - see if I can keep up

What type of music do you play?

**Ted Eschliman** · Oct-03-2006, 4:33pm

The Thomastik Mandola strings are marvelous, and don't let the price scare you! They will last you 3-4 times as long as most other brands, and in my book that makes them a better value.

Word of warning, while the silk wrapping on both ends make for a more secure fit, the length between wrappings makes it a poor fit for longer scale Dolas or ones with a Gibson style tailpiece. For proper fit, be advised that the measure from wrapping to wrapping on these is 20-1/2", the wrapping near the loop is an additional 1", and the wrapping on the side that fits in the tuners is 9" (much you will cut off). Before purchasing these for the first time, it's a good idea to measure the mandola to be sure these will fit.

Also, the 164 is correct, the 174 is for Octave mandolin, although the German won't be clear on the label, and the bulk of the places that sell these don't usually know all the above information.

**aries753** · Oct-03-2006, 10:42pm

If you search for Tenor Mandola at that auction place there is a vendor. That's where I got my set. As Ted says they are not inexpensive, close to $35 with shipping but they sound really good. Now when Ted's new set comes out.......:D

**solarbean** · Oct-04-2006, 6:45am

Originally Posted by

For proper fit, be advised that the measure from wrapping to wrapping on these is 20-1/2", the wrapping near the loop is an additional 1", and the wrapping on the side that fits in the tuners is 9" (much you will cut off).

The Webers are a 17" scale.
I measure the following distances:

23.25" from the loop-hook at the bottom of the tailpiece to the nut

28.25" from the loop-hook at the bottom of the tailpiece to the top g-string tuner.

Sounds to me like it may not work, but I don't understand what you mean when you say "wrapping". What is that?

**Ted Eschliman** · Oct-04-2006, 10:30am

Right, the Thomastiks probably won't work on your Dola. A picture is worth 1,000 words; these aren't the Thomastik windings, but it gives you an idea what I'm talking about. We've requested no wrappings on the Labellas for the following reason:

This is 16" scale; you'd have more overhang on a 17".