Living as I do a l-o-n-g way from any source of mandolin strings, let alone a source of my preferred brands, I depend upon friends buying and bringing multiple sets from abroad. So I don't change strings unless I have to, and when I do, I take considerable care not to break one while tuning up.
I was looking forward to experiencing D'Addario EFW74 Flatwounds for the first time on my most expensive instrument. The installation went swimmingly until I was uncoiling the A strings, which flew apart and made a break for freedom. I wasn't too concerned until I realised both of them had flown straight out a window I'd never even opened before (it's a new house) - and fallen thirty feet to a rock garden one floor down.
With all the dogged parsimony that comes with being Scottish, I finally tracked them down - not an easy task. They could run but they couldn't hide. Spirited souls, these EFW74s.
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