Strings for bowlback?

[FilipHolm]

Hi!
Noob quesion here.
I have a Calace bowlback mandolin (model 24 if I remember correctly) and I am looking to change the strings.
But being a novice on this subject, what kind of strings should I get? Do bowlbacks use the same strings as flatback A or F-style mandolins? Should they be lighter? Do you have any recomendations?

Regards,
Filip

[Jim Garber]

Is it a vintage one or more recent? Generally I love Dogal Calace strings RW92b for vintage. Those are quite light for the older ones. The RW92 is more for modern mandolins. Where do you live? In US I know where to get them: Bernunzio.com. Not sure in Europe. I have ordered in Europe from Seitenkatalog in Germany.

Fisoma and Optima strings are very good too.

Just don’t put medium gauge like D’Addario J-74 on vintage bowlbacks.

[FilipHolm]

It's a more recent one.
I live in Sweden unfortunately, but I can try looking around!

[Jim Garber]

What are your choices? Is it prohibitive to order from Germany?

[FilipHolm]

It could be, because of the pandemic, I'm not sure. But I found a danish company that I think has locations in Sweden that have the strings you mentioned.