Loop or ball-end?

[GarY Nava]

Hi Guys,
I know that this has probably been asked before, but for electric mandolins, are there are any strong preferences for loop or ball-end strings? I’m working on the design for my first e-mando and the choice of string type will make a big difference to my tailpiece design.
Thanks in advance for your comments.
Cheers Gary

[Ron McMillan]

Hi Gary,

I'm sorry I can't answer that question, but I have to chip in and say I am really looking forward to seeing whatever e-mando design you come up with. Please share it here.

ron

[GarY Nava]

Hi Gary,

I'm sorry I can't answer that question, but I have to chip in and say I am really looking forward to seeing whatever e-mando design you come up with. Please share it here.

ron

Thanks Ron- you'll be the first to see it!

[jmp]

Which style is it easier to find strings for?

[GarY Nava]

Which style is it easier to find strings for?

Doesn't matter as I'll make my own tailpiece from scratch.

[Travis Wilson]

Hi GarY,

I have owned a few electrics now, and they have all been configured for ball-end strings. This could be due to a couple of factors: 1.) the builder's preference. 2.) the HUGE variety of ball-end strings available for electric guitar.

[mandrian]

Hi,

Personally I would prefer loopends as I like Thomastiks and their ballends although made are almost impossible to find. Incidentally my Regal tenor has tailend piece that accommodates both types and so gives flexibity in choice of string.

Regards

[mandroid]

a small pin would let you use either , breaking out the brass Ball results in a Loop end .

I have added A Ball, To Loop end strings to use for my thru the body ferrule
FM61se .. the ball out of Cello Strings fits in the ferrule,
and the loop end can double up strings, on that ball.

I use regular bulk guitar strings, typically I have to slack both strings when I break One of the Pair.
because they jam together in the ferrule..

I put a 5 pin No Knot Tailpiece on a 4 string electric, I can Use either ..

The ball is trapped between the pins, or I can Loop over the pin.

So Id say Both, rather than either/or..

[Chinn]

I'd say for a 4/5 string go with ball ends. But for an 8 string go loop.

[mandobassman]

You could design a tailpiece similar to this one, that accommodates both loop and ball.

[Soundfarmer Pete]

You don`t state what kind of electrics......
For a magnetic pickup, nickel electric guitar strings are best (unless you have a specially designed pickup) and so, ball end guitar strings.
For a piezo then bronze probably work better tonewise....so either loop (ready made mando sets) or ball end (individual acoustic guitar strings)......

[rico mando]

It has a lot to do with the kind of bridge you want to use .

[GarY Nava]

Interesting responses- thanks Guys!

Re pick-up; I'm thinking of a bog standard humbucker and a piezo under the saddle. It is very much a prototype that I'm going to build.
Cheers Gary

[Mandobart]

Balls, definitely. Ball end strings are available anywhere. If someone feels the need to use strings that are only available in loops, it is easy to slip a ball in the loop (I keep the old balls when I change strings, I have hundreds of 'em). Easier and far less chance of damaging the string than going the other way and removing the ball from a string to make it loop-tailpiece friendly.

I've got an Allen TP on my acoustic OM that takes either kind; don't know model exactly, you could ask the builder.

[Tim2723]

Since you're building the tailpiece from scratch why not just make it accept both kinds?

[GarY Nava]

Well,I must admit that I didn't think of tailpiece to accommodate both styles of strings; seems so obvious!

So thanks for that idea.
Back to the drawing board!
Cheers Gary

[mandobassman]

Well,I must admit that I didn't think of tailpiece to accommodate both styles of strings; seems so obvious!

So thanks for that idea.
Back to the drawing board!
Cheers Gary

Re: Post #10

[Daniel Nestlerode]

Gary,
I will be happy to test drive the prototype when you're ready. A trip to Norfolk is not a hardship coming from Cambridge.

Daniel

[GarY Nava]

Gary,
I will be happy to test drive the prototype when you're ready. A trip to Norfolk is not a hardship coming from Cambridge.

Daniel

Hi Daniel,
I might just keep you to that!
Beer or coffee?
Cheers Gary

[Daniel Nestlerode]

Coffee before mid-day. Need it to charge the batteries.

Hope to meet you soon!

Daniel