Printable View
There's a lot of string threads, but nothing recent that I could find specifically for electric mandolins.
What brands/alloys do you prefer for electric mandolins? Nickel, nickel bronze, Monel, stainless? (And yes, I am aware that unwound strings are plain steel.)
Thanks!
I use regular nickel-would, bought in bulk (dozens) from JustStrings. Worth trying are stainless-steel-would. For a while I enjoyed them on my Ryder 5-string, using .024 for the D. When I began using my 10-string Almuse I went lighter, .022 for the double course and 1/4" longer scale. They are too fragile at that skinny gauge, so I switched to nickel.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mandodork
No point in bronze. I doubt monel is appropriate, just any electric guitar design would be fine. Some here like flatwounds, but I need better sustain and some overtones.
Emando.com offers sets, and info about electric mandolin.
+1 for emando.com strings. They last a long time and are very warm.
The Emando sets are nice, but I typically just buy Ernie Ball 9s and 10s and mix them to get the gauges as close to the emando set as possible, favoring going slightly heavier to lighter, but eventually using up most of the strings. They’re inexpensive and last a while, and available locally. Of course, I should probably just order from Martin and get 2 sets per pack (as I have a 4 string), but then I wouldn’t have a good excuse to wander through the local store...
D’Addario NYXL’s: 48, 32, 21, 13.5 and 9.
I just started using Emando.com’s 5 string flat wound set. Really like them so far.
GHS makes a nickel mandolin string so you don't have to take the balls off electric guitar strings. Comes in two gauges. I like them of my acoustic mandolin a lot, great sound and last a good long time.
Thanks all! I'm needing loop ends for my eight string El Rey.
That's why I asked about Monel, the Sam Bush set would have the gauges I want.
Monel's a nickel alloy right? Or is there not enough nickel in it for an electric mando?
D'Addario makes loop-end mandolin sets in nickel-wound (EJ67, .011-.039) for half the price of monel, a more expensive nickel alloy with good corrosion resistance. Nobody uses them for electric guitar so I doubt you need to.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mandodork
GHS has two nickel-wound sets bracketing the D'Addario gauges.
D'Addario sells loop-end nickel-wound strings 5 at a time if you want to try a different mix of gauges.
Monel. common in non magnetic situations , like on magnetic Minesweeper , ships.
adds mass
but, like bronze, is no more magnetic than the steel core wire in the center contributes ..
(A pair of pliers will crush the ball leaving a loop you can use , if buying guitar strings.)
:whistling:
From Answers.com:Quote:
Originally Posted by mandroid
>Sufficient copper is present in Monel to lower the Curie temperature so that although Monel is usually slightly magnetic at room temperature, it will become non-magnetic when warmed mildly. When the alloy contains about 1.25% Si, it is non magnetic at room temperature. A Si content of 4% lowers the Curie temperature to approximately -70F. The magnetic properties are not affected greatly by cold work or thermal treatment.
Sounds like one should stick with nickel or stainless steel for wndings.