Hello,
I bought a German bowl back mandolin from 1940. But which strings should I use for it?
I am concerned about the tension.
Hello,
I bought a German bowl back mandolin from 1940. But which strings should I use for it?
I am concerned about the tension.
Extra light. GHS makes a set which many people use; others swear by the Dogal Calace strings, but they're much pricier.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
Use a “light” set. Most brands list as light, medium and heavy.
Or “extra light” as Allen says
A German mandolin might like Thomastik flatwound strings 154W -- those are the Light gauge. Very pricey tho. Maybe best to start with GHS A-240 ultralights as allenhopkins links to above. Then try the other strings. Personally, I am a fan of the Dogal Calace RW92b for vintage bowlbacks but I like the bright sound. The Thomastiks would be a lot more mellower.
Jim
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Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
I wouldn't put Thomastiks on an old German bowlback -- the association of flatwounds with German bowlbacks is a much more recent thing, 1970s onwards. An instrument from c. 1940 would be fairly similar to a Catania trade instrument and should take bronze roundwounds. The GHS ultralights would be fine. If the OP is in Germany, other options such as Fisoma or Optima may also be within easy reach.
Martin
I agree with Martin that TI strings may not be historically appropriate but that never really stops many players from even putting them on old Italian bowlbacks. Personally, I don’t like them either, just that some folks do.
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Thank you. Do you think D'Addario J 62 .10 - .34 are also suitable?
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