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Thread: Mandocaster string guages

  1. #1
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    Default Mandocaster string guages

    For everyone with one of these chinese mandocasters, what are you using for string guages? Does anyone make ball-end mando sets, or are you making up a set from single guitar strings?

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    And now there was no doubt that the trees were really moving - moving in and out through one another as if in a complicated country dance. ('And I suppose,' thought Lucy, 'when trees dance, it must be a very, very country dance indeed.')

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  2. #2

    Default Re: Mandocaster string guages

    try here http://emando.com/shop/strings8.htm

    On my 4 string electric I have 9 13 24 34. I suppose gauge is down to personal preferance.
    Last edited by sonic; Jun-26-2016 at 8:58am.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Mandocaster string guages

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    On my Morgan Monroe mandocaster I use the Fender electric mandolin set.

    http://tinyurl.com/jx82lcl

    They are .011 E, .016 A, .026 D and .040 G nickel plated steel with ball ends. Musicians Friend sells them for $5.79 per set. Very recommended.

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL
    Last edited by lenf12; Jun-26-2016 at 11:04am.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Mandocaster string guages

    I get my strings for my mandobird at Emando.com.

  5. #5
    Registered User Tavy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandocaster string guages

    Quote Originally Posted by lenf12 View Post
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ID:	147601 Look familiar?

    On my Morgan Monroe mandocaster I use the Fender electric mandolin set.

    http://tinyurl.com/jx82lcl

    They are .011 E, .016 A, .026 D and .040 G nickel plated steel with ball ends. Musicians Friend sells them for $5.79 per set. Very recommended.

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL
    Along with a .056" low C those are the gauges I'm experimenting with on my next prototype build (more on that later!) and they do sound good at that gauge, with decent A and E response. Only complaint is they make bending notes harder than lighter gauges would - perfectly possible though. I also wonder if lighter gauges would sustain more and give a less mandolin and more electric-guitar like sound... that one's down to personal preference I suspect.

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  7. #6

    Default Re: Mandocaster string guages

    I don't think you can go much below a .036 on the G because you run out of travel on the saddle. I like .038, .024, .015 and .010.

  8. #7
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mandocaster string guages

    Adding a Ball to Loop end strings can be done.. My FM 61 has thru body ferrules (4) so I use saved Cello string balls
    and double up the loops on 1 ball.

    E's break & Id have to slack the unbroken string, any how, if they did have separate balls.
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  9. #8

    Default Re: Mandocaster string guages

    I like to keep the "feel" of my mandolins relatively consistent from one mandolin to another (even though the 1916 F-4 has the luxuriantly soft D'Addario EFW-74s). The Fender set referenced above for my mandocaster feels almost the same as my other acoustic mandolins, caveat that the Fenders are round wound and I use D'Addario EFT-74s Flat Tops on the acoustics. YMMV

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL

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