More mellow sounding strings for my MT?

[FrDNicholas]

I've been using D'Addario J75s on my mandolin which seemed to give me more volume when I was playing in regular jams. Since moving, I've yet to find some folks to play with and I'm wondering if a different set of strings might make my Collings MT sound a little softer, especially on the E string? Of course, I've already stocked up on J75s so maybe another string in that price range? Thanks.

[lflngpicker]

Have you considered Monel steel wound strings? They provide a bit more mellow sound on the G and D courses and it might be what you are looking for.

[pops1]

Most plain strings are the same, or so close to the same, that going to smaller gauges would be the only alternative. I also find that the better I am intonated and the better I am in tune the warmer those strings are. I notice slight changes from weather that raise/lower the body, and the hence the action, have an effect on intonation. I carry a gauge to keep it accurate and check it often, especially if I hear my E strings are sounding bright.

[dan in va]

If 0.0115" E strings don't give you a mellow enough sound, then maybe there is another pick that will help. i didn't see in the OP how far away from the bridge you're picking. DR makes a set with 0.012" E strings.

[Northwest Steve]

I tried a few sets on my Flatiron Festival and they were really base heavy and not as balanced on the treble side. I tried a set of Elixir medium strings. It is still plenty loud but took the edge off and is a much more pleasing sound. The other benefit is they seem to be easier on the fingers. Might be worth a try.

[FrDNicholas]

Thank you all for your replies. I should mention I am using a Blue Chip pick, can't remember the number but it's the one that's closest to a 1.5 primetone in shape. I do seem to notice that as I play more, the E string does seem to mellow out, so maybe it's just the mandolin when I haven't played it for a couple of days. Anyway, I'd appreciate any other ideas or experiences you've had.

[onassis]

+1 for the Monel. Right now I'm really into the D'Addario NB's. Fewer overtones, very fundamental tone.

[pops1]

Playing with the rounded part of a pick is more mellow than the pointy part.

[FrDNicholas]

Who sells the Monel? I looked at Just Strings and they don't seem to carry them.

[ccravens]

+1 for the Monel. Right now I'm really into the D'Addario NB's. Fewer overtones, very fundamental tone.

I would second the D'Addario Nickle Bronze strings.

Not all plain strings are the same, and their tone changes slightly in relation to the other strings in the set.

[onassis]

Who sells the Monel? I looked at Just Strings and they don't seem to carry them.

Curt Mangan sells ones that I've liked in the past. Have never tried the Martins, though I really like their Retro monels on guitar.

[Russ Jordan]

silk and steel

[oliverkollar]

Curt Mangan sells ones that I've liked in the past. Have never tried the Martins, though I really like their Retro monels on guitar.

Great service and great strings.

I had an MT2 that I needed to tame the brightness on.
The Mangan monels did the trick.

[WoMando]

Silk and bronze

[George R. Lane]

Silk and bronze

+1

[banjoboy]

I just put Silk and Steel on my mando. They started out sounding really dead. But the more I play, the more alive they are sounding. Much mellower than other strings I've tried.

[Ted Eschliman]

Scoop: D'Addario is introducing two monel steel mandolin string sets next month, one in a Sam Bush gauging.
Stay tuned...

[CES]

Great news on the pending D’Addairio options! Agree that silk and steel or Elixirs may help out as well.

[gspiess]

I found that the Mapes coated strings toned down the twangyness of my E strings.

[David Lewis]

I have flatwounds on my Gretsch - they're quite mellow. You might want to try those. Monel's I've found are temperamental - on my oval hole Epiphone they're great - on my F-Hole Epiphone, they're not... Don't know why... (YMMV)

[DougC]

If you pick near the bridge you'll get a bright tone. And if you pick near the fingerboard a mellow tone.

[mandroid]

General NB: A & E strings are going to be plain steel *

so you are just having the variation of winding wire around the other half of the strings..

*With few exceptions , then the wound A is a very thin steel core, so needs a very light touch or it breaks quickly..




..

[lflngpicker]

I gleaned a lot from this thread. Thanks to all for the string and picking suggestions.

[dang]

...
I had an MT2 that I needed to tame the brightness on.
The Mangan monels did the trick.

I had the same experience with the Mangen monels on my MT2, highly recommended.

[bradeasley]

OP specifically mentioned the E strings and, as others have stated, plains are the same regardless of the composition/alloy of the windings on the wound strings. Lighter gauge strings may reduce volume somewhat. Sounds like you're using a BC TAD60 (most similar to Prime Tone 1.5), which is both brighter and louder than other picks, so you could definitely test out other picks (either less hard material or thinner or both). Outside of all that, work on controlling dynamics with your right hand is another possible suggestion. I like Monel strings (and vote for Curt Mangan, if you want to test those out), but Monel strings won't dramatically reduce the volume of your instrument and will make no difference on the E and A courses.