Mandolin strings

[darahbee]

Hello again folks: new question to follow up my question about mandolin picks:

I suppose gut strings were still in use around 1900. When did they change to steel? what would happen if one were to use a vintage tourtoise plectum on steel strings? I am wondering if this is unheardof or common. Did the shift from tourtoise plectrums and steel strings happen around the same time? Do Mandolin players, such as those who play in orchestras for Mahler or Schoenberg or some of the opera stage bands ever use gut strings anymore? As a violinist, I know that gut strings don't project like steel strings, but I am wondering how all this plays out in the mandolin world. THANKS IN ADVANCE!

[mandobassman]

This was talked about in depth no too long ago in this thread.

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...ory-of-Strings

[Jim Garber]

Gut strings were not used on Neapolitan or Roman style mandolins since about the 18th century. These instruments developed with metal strings. There are other mandolin variants that do use gut strings. TS plectra have been and can be used on metal strings. In fact, for the most part, the gut string mandolins are usually picked with a softer material like a feather quill or even fingers or fingernails.

[darahbee]

thanks people!

[Greg H.]

With all of this said, if you're putting new strings on an older bowlback mandolin, you want to use the lightest strings possible. Probably for the least money (and still very good) would be GHS_A240. A lot of the heavy strings used for bluegrass could do some damage to an older, more fragile, bowlback mandolin.

[mandobassman]

Mandolins don't get used in orchestral music all that often. It is used more with small ensembles or solo performances. Also mandolin orchestras. But most every classical mandolinist that I know of use some sort of flatwound chrome wound string. Thomastik is probably the leading string for classical, but many use Fisoma flatwound. Other brands include Dogal, Pyramid Gold, Lenzner, Optima. all variations of chrome steel flatwound strings.

It's interesting that you cited Mahler as an example because one of the few orchestral pieces that I know uses mandolin is the Mahler 7th Symphony.