Re: String recommendations
My 1901 Gibson oval hole A has the D'Addario 80/20 10-34 (or 36) set. My dad mentioned that it needed to be strung up lightly so as not to self destruct.
If your mandolin is harder to fret than a guitar, it's because the setup is bad. My Doyle Lawson is strung 11.5, 16, 26, 40, and plays effortlessly. The neck and fretwork are very good, and allow an extremely low action with great sound and no buzz. I had 11-40 on it at first, but the thicker plain strings sound and feel better. I use D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings on both F-5s and my guitar. They're a little lower tension than Phosphor Bronze, but I use them for the punchier tone. The extended life and slightly lower tension are bonuses.
Re: String recommendations
I used to use the J74's all the time until I discovered Elixir Nano Web mediums. I use them for both guitar and mandolins. The sound is great and they last much longer than other strings. Good luck and give these a try, you won't be sorry.
Re: String recommendations
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Oregon Jim
I know a mess of people swear by the D'Addario J74s, but I'm wondering what other brands or gauges are popular.
Popular brands include Elixir, John Pearse, DR, GHS, etc.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Oregon Jim
Can anybody tell me what their favorite strings are and why?
I like Curt Mangan, because I can find sets in a range of materials and gauges for different instruments with periodic promotions and incentives for buying in bulk.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Oregon Jim
(Anyone else feel like the mando is harder to fret than a guitar?)
Because of its double courses and shorter scale, the mandolin requires more pressure to fret cleanly, but you also might be experiencing the effects of playing an “Amazon cheapo” that has not been thoroughly set up by someone who knows his or her way around a mandolin.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Oregon Jim
Does anyone have recommendations for something lighter than the J74s?
D’Addario makes a medium-light J73 as well as a light J62; however, I’d wait for the Eastman to determine whether the gauge or the setup is the true issue you’re encountering.
Re: String recommendations
Thanks for your thoughts everyone. As a couple of you said, there's a good chance my fretting problem is related to setup issues. I look forward to getting the Eastman tomorrow (fingers crossed) with the fresh TMS setup and hope it will prove a lot easier to make clean chords and notes.
The strings on my cheapo are about 1/14 of an inch from the 12th fret. That translates to .0714, which is a fair amount more than the .059 Rob Meldrum suggests in his nifty ebook on setup, but not outrageously high. Would that be enough to cause the problem? I've tried lowering the action from the bridge end, but I begin to get buzz which I think is associated with the nut end of things.
Jim
Re: String recommendations
It sounds like your issues are due to the setup, or lack there of. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the Eastman’s playability.
Re: String recommendations
My Eastman 315 seemed to really like the Siminoff Straight up sets. The E and A courses tended to have a bit much bite for my ears, and the Siminoff's had a great balance.
