Strings with higher tension?

[mikerofone]

Do some mandolin strings have higher tension than others and if so what brand/model strings would have higher/highest tension? My mandolin sounds a bit squishy at times and I want to try higher tension strings and see if that helps.

[pops1]

What strings are you using? Mostly what are the string gauges. You could buy a set with heavier string gauges than what you have. A common set is 11-40, but there are lighter and heavier sets. What mandolin do you have, some mandolins can't use even the 11-40 as they are designed for lighter strings. It would make a difference on the mandolin you have.

[bwnunnally]

There is a calculator and discussion here which include mandolin as a selection. If you plug in your scale length, string gauges and tuning, it will give you a readout of the tension on each of the strings. Note that there is a "Recalculate" button next to the instrument selection that is pressed to recalculate after changing string parameters.

[mikerofone]

I have an Engelman top Big Mon and I use 11.5-41 gauge strings currently.

[dhergert]

The easy answer is to simply buy a higher tension set of the strings you're currently using, if a higher tension set is available... Most string makers for mandolin and other bluegrass instruments specify gauge, ie: light, medium and heavy, instead of tension and then list tensions on the string set packages. TI may list their mandolin string sets by tension, ie: Weich (low tension), Mittel (mid-tension) and Stark (heavy tension), as they do for other instruments.

But you can also customize your strings; you can put together a set of your own, either from custom selected individual strings or from part of one set and part of another set. This isn't very commonly done with mandolins but with some stringed instruments it is very common, frequently called creating a "mixed set"...

D'Addario makes most of its plain loop and ball end strings available as parts of sets and also makes them available as custom gauges that you can order by each individual string, for example from JustStrings, etc. Make sure to specify ball or loop end if ordering. I think D'A also offers some of their wound strings that way. It wouldn't surprise me if GHS and TI also do the same thing.

Best of luck with this!

P.S. Keep in mind that tension can also be too high for a particular instrument, potentially causing maintenance problems. You might want to be in touch with your Northfield supplier to find out what the option tension, and potentially also the optimum string set is for your Big Mon.

[pops1]

You might have too much tension and choking the instrument. I'd try a lighter set first, the strings you have on there are plenty heavy.

[Jim Garber]

Do some mandolin strings have higher tension than others and if so what brand/model strings would have higher/highest tension? My mandolin sounds a bit squishy at times and I want to try higher tension strings and see if that helps.

Squishiness may be in the ear of the beholder. I’m not too sure what that means but I am guessing the problem may be solved with set up. It sounds like your already have fairly heavy strings on it. Maybe your nut or bridge slots are not properly cut or frets are worn. If this is a fairly new mandolin I would also suggest contacting Northfield and find out whether they think. Mandolins should not squish!

[mandroid]

the physics: thicker string reaches pitch at a higher tension , thinner, a lower tension ,
at a given scale length .

[rcc56]

I'd consider your 11.5 to 41 set to already be a high tension set. I wouldn't go that high for myself.