Re: Question about string gauge vs tension and 'soft' brands
Originally Posted by
pbaumann22
I had always thought that tension was proportional to string gauge, because I can't think of anything else that would impact tension other than tuning -- and I use standard tuning.
String tension also depends on construction and materials. A string with thicker core (and thinner winding) can give you higher tension. The materials also matter: In the case of the Dogal Calace strings, tension is higher than you might expect by measuring the string gauges alone, because they are made from a very dense, proprietary high-carbon steel. When I visited the Dogal factory in Venice, I had a detailed conversation about this with Dogal's founder and his son, who now runs the company. I like the Dogal Calace strings very much (NFI), but not for antique bowlbacks.
The Calace line of Dogal strings is designed and named for the modern Calace instruments, which use higher-tension strings than most other modern Italian bowlback mandolins. Those, in turn, require higher tension than most antique mandolins, because of a trend in the last century toward heavier construction and longer scale length, in search of better projection. The “dolce” RW92B are the lightest of the Calace line, but they are not low-tension strings.
On a recommendation, I'd like to try Dogal Calace RW92B Carbon Steel Round Wound (10-14-23-33) -- these seem like the tension might be too high?
In my experience this depends on the instrument. They’re good for some, but too heavy for others—probably not heavy enough to cause damage, but for some, heavy enough to limit the vibration of the top. Every instrument has an optimal amount of tension for freest movement.
A more serious problem, I think, is fret wear. I used the RW92B strings for several years and liked them very much—but even on the wider frets of my modern concert bowlback, the high-carbon steel caused much wear on the frets (which are made of a softer material, nickel-silver). Most antique bowlbacks had thin frets, so with string tension concentrated on a smaller surface I would expect the frets to wear even faster.
And I found these, Galli G1420 80/20 Bronze Round Wound (10-14-23-32) -- these seem like the tension also might be too high.
I visited the Galli factory in Naples last summer and asked them to make a slightly lighter version of their silver-plated M158 strings, for antique bowlbacks. They made prototypes for me on the spot; I hope they’ll have a finished product for us one of these days. I have the M158s on my 1902 Calace mandolin now, and they’re working well — but this instrument has been restored, with a carbon fiber rod in the neck.
GHS A240 Phosphor Bronze Round Wound (09-13-20-32) -- this is the set that currently on the instrument and they are 'just okay' in my opinion -- the tension seems good and the strings are well made.
Phosphor bronze was not yet invented when our antique mandolins were built, and unfortunately the tone is different. I don’t think phosphor bronze is the best choice of materials for this purpose, but I am glad that GHS has made a set designed for old bowlbacks!
For reference, I tried Elixir Light 80/20 Bronze Coated Round Wound (10-14-24-34) and the tension was too high -- someone mentioned they might be too 'strong' and when I detuned (after a few hours), there was some ugly creaking, but nothing ‘broke’.
I think a more moderate approach would be to start with lighter strings, see how they respond, and then switch out individual courses, increasing string gauge until they feel right. I like a little heavier E string, so I start with something like 10-13-21-30 and go up from there.
I would appreciate any insights you might have on gauge vs. tension and your favorite strings for vintage instruments
Other European manufacturers sometimes mentioned: Pyramid - Optima Lenzner - Fisoma.
Also: I’m getting excellent results on my 1908 Vega by using two sets of La Bella Tenor Banjo silk and steel strings, 10-12-21-31. Switch out the A string to a 13.
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