Vinaccia String Recommendation

[mandoGJE]

I just received a 1902 mandolin which has been passed down in the family - it is a beautiful instrument and I am looking for a recommendation for strings from people familiar with this type of mandolin.
Thanks!

[derbex]

You need a light gauge set, if you are in the US then GHS 240 are probably the easiest to get hold of.

Beautiful looking instrument, enjoy it

[Jim Garber]

GHS A-240 would be easiest but this mandolin should have better strings. My favorites for that Italian sound are Dogal Calace RW92b Dolce. You can get them from Bernunzio's. They have them on sale right now. More expensive than GHS ones but sound much better to my ears. Make sure you do get the dolce which are the lightest gauge, best for older instruments.

You can also put flatwounds on it like Thomastik but personally I like my vintage Italian mandolins to "speak" Italian, not German.