Heavy strings

[MediumMando5722]

After posting a question about .017" A strings, I got to wondering if anybody uses anything heavier than 11.5-41.

So... anybody using anything heavier than that?

[pops1]

I was using some guitar strings that I liked the sound of for a while that were 42, but the core was several thousands less than a 40 so didn't think it was too much tension.

[Denny Gies]

I've always used medium gauge on mine.

[MediumMando5722]

Never mind. I'm an idiot and asked the same question not all that long ago.

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...=heavy+strings

[dan in va]

The heavy MD-12 set from DR might give you the tension you seek. (12,16,28,41)

[MediumMando5722]

The heavy MD-12 set from DR might give you the tension you seek. (12,16,28,41)

And still no 17 A. Interesting.

Thanks

[CWRoyds]

I like heavier strings, but I found that heavier strings seemed to choke the tone a bit on both my mandolins.
It made them louder, but less open and resonant. Tighter sound.
Might be good for some particular mandolins, and might suit the sound you are going for, but I went back to EXP74s and they both sound much better to me.

[Ivan Kelsall]

I can't help but think that on the A & E strings,the heavier you went,that the sound when you picked them would become more of a 'plink' than a note. The string tension & also it's resistance to movement would increase.

I use DR MD11's on my larger than standard Lebeda F5. At one point,seeking more volume,i put a set of MD12's on it. The A & Es weren't too bad,but i had to pick harder on the G & D strings for the same volume & the 'clarity' of the notes wasn't as good to my ears. I went back to MD11's,picked harder on those & got all the volume i ever needed & the clarity of the G & D strings returned. My experience was very similar to that of CWRoyds above.

IMHO - there's an upside & a downside to heavier strings,however,it might depend on the specific instrument,so all you can do is to try them,
Ivan

[Beanzy]

I’m in exactly the same situation Ivan, was loving it with the MD11 set just tried the MD12 on the last string change. However I notice they give nothing more that’s obvious but take more force to fret so lose much of the subtlety I like.
They do feel like they lift off harder, so if your chopping wasn’t crisp, you were getting buzzy lifts, or you tended to lift too much, they might help a bit with quick chord changes by engaging more with the finger tips.
That’s not an issue for my fat finger pads so for subtlety and endurance reasons I’ll go back to,the MD11 on the next change.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Hi Eoin - I find that 'chopping' - playing rythm on heavier strings, is a bit like strumming a plank !. Unless you pick hard,the pick slides over the strings rather than pushing them to create a 'sound'. With my past experiences,i have to say that i don't like heavy strings at all. ''Heavy'' is exactly what they are - in gauge & in tone - on MY mandolins,other folk with think differently,
Ivan

[mandroid]

Generally heavier strings bring out the Man, in mandolin..

then you whomp on them with more sforzando..