Octave Mandolin String Recommendations
A couple months ago, I was very fortunate to find a Garrison octave mandolin being sold in a city a few hours away. It was made in 2007 and the former owner, a serious collector, had kept it in pristine condition. It literally did not have a scratch and looked like it just came out of the box. Build is similar to the Trinity OMs: flat sound body and fairly short scale of about 20 inches. I love it! The tone and volume are great and the fretboard isn't much more difficult than my standard sized mandolin.
But strings are a challenge. Not a lot to choose from. All I can find for OMs is d'Addario strings. I'd like to find strings that have a somewhat higher tension to reduce string movement. Any recommendations?
Re: Octave Mandolin String Recommendations
I’m using 014/.022w/.032w/.045w on my Ashbury OM which has a similar scale length. I think that’s the set that d’Addario sell as (Tenor) Mandola strings but I wouldn’t describe them as especially tight
Re: Octave Mandolin String Recommendations
Some people have reported good luck with the D'Addario Light Mandola set (J-72) on short scale octaves. The J-80 OM strings are 12-46, the Light Mandola strings are 14-48.
Re: Octave Mandolin String Recommendations
Quote:
Originally Posted by
John Flynn
Some people have reported good luck with the D'Addario Light Mandola set (J-72) on short scale octaves. The J-80 OM strings are 12-46, the Light Mandola strings are 14-48.
That’s more or less what I’m using, but as I said not especially tight.
Re: Octave Mandolin String Recommendations
You might go with the heavy set from emando.com
http://emando.com/shop/strings_zouk.htm
13, 24, 38, 54
He recommends them for 19-20" scale lengths. You'll have to make sure you cut the nut slots accordingly
Re: Octave Mandolin String Recommendations
Quote:
Originally Posted by
OneChordTrick
That’s more or less what I’m using, but as I said not especially tight.
You could try the regular mandola set, J-76. They are 15-52.
Re: Octave Mandolin String Recommendations
Quote:
Originally Posted by
John Flynn
You could try the regular mandola set, J-76. They are 15-52.
Thanks - wasn't clear when I posted, it was just after 5am here :), whilst they're not tight they're also not loose so work fine for me!
Re: Octave Mandolin String Recommendations
I use the Mandola J-76 Mandola set on my 20" OM and like the tone and tension better than the light set.
