what strings should I use?

[MontanaMatt]

So what strings does everyone think will produce the most mellow sound from a 305? I don't do bright or chop.

Try the GHS silk n bronze, and the silk n steel. The extra silk in the core seems to add warmth and mellow out the g and d courses. If your a and e strings are too shrill, as far as I know, the only option is to change gauges, which subsequently changes tensions, or change mandos.

[CES]

Monels have a bit mellower tone, and the coating on Elixers (and Bronze rather than PB windings) eliminates some of the initial brightness you can get with PB strings like EJ 74s. They sound like they've been on a week straight out of the box. Those who don't like this string site that characteristic as one of the reasons..."they sound dead." I don't think they sound dead, but it is a less brilliant string.

If you want to shell out some cash, check out TI Flatwounds. I've never tried them personally, but they're supposed to be less bright as well. And, though they're expensive, they reportedly last long enough to make it worth it to those that like them.

[Roger Moss]

So would the heavier strings have a darker sound? I generally lean towards lighter strings for their being easier on the fingers.

As far as changing mandolins, my current Frankensteined 305 is going to be it for me until I can find somebody to trade me for an oval hole flat top (if that might be you, pm me).

[MediumMando5722]

My 315 sounds much better with .0115 E strings. Every mandolin I’ve ever restrung has sounded better with those, though.

[Raybel]

If you find something that sounds mellow, let me know. I have 414 which is a sensational sounding instrument resonant and mellow, I also have a 515 which needs taming. Very bright, I’ve only had it a couple of weeks and got it second hand. I thought I’d stick some ej74’s on because I wasn’t sure what was on there and they looked pretty old. Now the new strings are on (as of this morning) I’m pretty sure the old ones were 74’s as well.

[fatt-dad]

I'm stuck on the EXP74cm right now. They are just like the x74s, but the unwound strings are a half-tick heavier.

I was stuck for many years on Thomastik 154ST. Yeah, they're expensive! But for solo play, almost zero string noise and endless string life, they're great. Some folks claim they loose horsepower? I just never felt that. They are a bit different though. . . and expensive!

f-d

[JeffD]

... that sounded horrible for two or three days, then improved a bunch.

That is another fly in the ointment. My experience with J74s is that the first week of playing they sound too brassy for my taste, but somewhere in the second week, they start to sound wonderful and stabilize to that great tone I love. GHSs, if I remember right, seem to settle in quicker.

The point is timing. To compare apples to apples you need to compare "post stabilization" sound. Crazy I know, but to my ears this factor makes a large difference.

[David Kennedy]

I play mainly Celtic tunes on my Eastman MD305. I recently put on a set of medium gauge "Straight Up Strings" by Roger Siminoff (NFI). The difference they made was astounding. I think the E course is .115
Cheers