Best light gauge mandolin strings

[fergmaun]

I began to restring my Kentucky KM-172 mandolin with the Stagg strings set.

Started at G strings then D then A until the 2 E string was tuned up to D sharp and when getting near to E the both strings broke.

I will order a better brand strings like D'Addario set.

[fergmaun]

I restrung my Kentucky KM-172 mandolin with D'Addario EJ74.

The first G string tuner was a wee bit tight to turn when tuning up F# sharp to G

So but a wee drop of WD40 on the G tuning head and the other 7 tuning heads and wiped quickly for any dips. Now far easier and smooth to tune G string.

Cheers

Ferg

[Heady]

Novice question:

I botched my first string change. I picked up a second set so I can swap out the strings that won't stay (searched forum and triangulated the issue, the botched strings can't be saved, but I know how to get it right now.... I think).

The problem is that the original set is daddario ej62, and the closest they had at the shop was ej73. Can I use them together? 1) I don't really relish wasting the original set 2) I'm not completely confident I'm going to get them right so I don't want to redo the ones I got right the first time

[pheffernan]

The problem is that the original set is daddario ej62, and the closest they had at the shop was ej73. Can I use them together? 1) I don't really relish wasting the original set 2) I'm not completely confident I'm going to get them right so I don't want to redo the ones I got right the first time

The D’Addario EJ62 and EJ73 sets are almost identical. They use the same gauges for the E, A, and D strings (.010/.014/.024) and only differ on the G course (.038 instead of .034). I probably wouldn’t mix a G from each set but otherwise you should be able to use the two sets together.

[John Bertotti]

TI but I use Stark and it’s still less tension then the DaD’s I was using. I have really grown to like them more the longer I use them.

[s11141827]

I use Ultra-Light Gauge Mandolin strings but to get more response, I remove the braces.

[Charles E.]

What do you mean by "I remove the braces"?

[s11141827]

What do you mean by "I remove the braces"?

What I mean by that is I shaved off the braces to compensate for the really low tension of these strings

[milli857]

Stringjoy just released light gauge coated strings, which to my knowledge, wasn't available anywhere before. I bought a set of them and will leave a review after I get them installed.

[Mark Gunter]

What I mean by that is I shaved off the braces to compensate for the really low tension of these strings

Wow Oscar, those really are “ultra-lite”, 28 - 7.5

I have several questions:

What type of mandolin? F holes, round hole, oval hole?
How did you go about shaving the braces?
How does it sound now?

That’s a nearly irreversible change to the instrument, hope you’re happy with the result.