Re: Loop-end strings with 'sheaths' for 1895 Bowl-back Mandolin
Originally Posted by
pbaumann22
Thanks Eric C. I've detuned the instument to reduce the stress after checking the gauge of the old strings versus the new ones. Should have done that first -- mistake 3, I guess. I'll pick up a pair of GHS A240s as they're the only pair of ultra-lights I can find.
I've purchased quite a few old mandolins with those fuzzy sheaths on the string ends -- I think they were designed to reduce breakage. Today's strings are better-made, so no need for the string coverings.
I'm glad we have the A240s, but I wish an American manufacturer would make strings more like the older designs -- softer materials, and tension light enough for old bowlbacks. There are a couple of good European options, such as the Optima Lenzner Consort strings. For my antique bowlbacks, I'm still piecing together sets from single strings, and parts of other sets.
Exploring Classical Mandolin (Berklee Press, 2015)
Progressive Melodies for Mandocello (KDP, 2019) (2nd ed. 2022)
New Solos for Classical Mandolin (Hal Leonard Press, 2020)
2021 guest artist, mandocello: Classical Mandolin Society of America
Bookmarks