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Thread: Plastic coated or smooth mandolin strings?

  1. #1

    Default Plastic coated or smooth mandolin strings?

    When I bought a Tacoma M1e about 11 years ago it came with smooth strings on it. They felt like they were round plastic with a core. They weren’t the Elixir style coating. It was almost like they were flat top strings with a smooth coating over them. I contacted the seller but even they didn’t know. Anyone have any ideas or leads about this?

  2. #2

    Default Re: Plastic coated or smooth mandolin strings?

    They may have been Thomastik strings, or another true flat-wound strings. They feel like they might have a coating on them, but they are really just very smooth. Not cheap, but they last years (sometimes, many years).

  3. #3

    Default Re: Plastic coated or smooth mandolin strings?

    Thank you! I’ll get a set and see how they go.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Plastic coated or smooth mandolin strings?

    Get the heavy gauge(Stark) these strings are much lower tension than a normal set of bronze mandolin strings, they feel almost rubbery like fiddle strings. I'm running them for the first time on my Weber Galatian, while they are quite expensive, I really dig the tone.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Plastic coated or smooth mandolin strings?

    I've also given TI strings a try recently, heavy gauge on my MD315. I love them, it's the tone and feel I've been looking for.

    I've played TI strings on my electric, acoustic, and upright basses for years too. It just seems like they make the best quality strings (to my taste), though also the most expensive.

  6. #6
    Moderator JEStanek's Avatar
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    Default Re: Plastic coated or smooth mandolin strings?

    They may have been Elixer strings. If the bits by the tuners were wrapped in thread (yellow or red) they were likely Thamastik. If not, they were likely either a coated or flatwound string. The Elixers have a coating that cuts down on the whoosh sound when you slide on them. Those TIs are expen$ive.

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  7. #7
    Distressed Model John Ritchhart's Avatar
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    Default Re: Plastic coated or smooth mandolin strings?

    So the G and D strings are flat wound. Anything different about the A and E strings? Or do they rust up just like J-74's?
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  8. #8

    Default Re: Plastic coated or smooth mandolin strings?

    Try the D'addario EFW74 flatwound set
    https://www.stringsandbeyond.com/dmaflme11fw.html
    I love them

  9. #9

    Default Re: Plastic coated or smooth mandolin strings?

    Quote Originally Posted by John Ritchhart View Post
    So the G and D strings are flat wound. Anything different about the A and E strings? Or do they rust up just like J-74's?
    The A string is actually wound, only the E is plain. I don't know about any rusting as I haven't had them on long enough.

  10. #10
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Plastic coated or smooth mandolin strings?

    And ,, there is flat topped, ground down round wound bronze, so half round wound after that process.. the wound A is around a very thin core ,

    so I'd suggest substituting a plain A string..
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