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| Site last updated . This particular page was created 19/02/2005 and last updated 13/11/2005 Site updates |
There are huge differences in style though so it may be a good idea to try different types until you find the ones you like.
Most mandolinists seem to prefer bronze wound strings because of their fuller and bigger tone.
Steel wound strings sound a bit duller - or maybe I should say smoother? They also have more sustain and apparently last a bit longer. If you play an A style mandolin you may want to try them to empasize the characteristic smooth tone of your instrument. Also, if you play electric mandolin (with a magnetic pickup that is), you have to use steel wound strings.
There are also a number of special strings. Coated, flatwound and polished strings all give a smoother and softer tone than regular strings. They are also said to last longer, although their durability may be a bit exaggerated in the ads.
When it comes to gauges, if you're in doubt go for a light 009 or 010 set. If you find them too light for you taste, increase the gauge next time you change strings.
My favourites
At the time I write this, Martin seems to have the best prices on regular mandolin strings. They're perfectly good standard strings and well worth trying. My personal favourite is Thomastik though. They may be expensive, but they're absolutely wonderful!Bronze wound strings
| A few words about this list | |
| Martin M450 Bronze Round Wound "Bluegrass" Mandolin strings | |
 | Good round wound 80/20 phosphor bronze strings, according to Martin especially suitable for bluegrass Medium/light gauge: 011-014-024w-038w.
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| Martin M460 92/8 Phosphor Bronze Mandolin strings. | |
 | Wound with a thread made of 92/8 phosphor bronze, that is an alloy with much more copper than the common 80/20 alloy. I haven't tried these string yet and have to admit I'm a bit confused. In theory more copper should mean a much rounder and fuller tone, but Martin actually claims these strings have more brilliance than regular strings. Medium gauge: 011-015-026w-040w.
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| Martin M400 Mandolin Light Strings | |
 | Good standard style 80/20 phosphor bronze strings. Light gauge: 010-014-024w-034w.
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| Dean Markley Phosphor bronze mandolin strings | |
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| Ernie Ball Mandolin strings | |
 | Ernie Ball has chosen to use tin-plated steel rather than bronze wound string for their regular mandolin string set. This may not be to everybody's taste but is well worth a try. Available in light (009-013-022w-034w) and medium (010-014-024w-036w) gauges.Although Ernie Ball seems to favour tin plated steel wound strings, they also have their "Earthwood" series of more common 80/20 bronze strings. Medium gauge: 010-014-024w-036w.
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| GHS Bright bronze mandolin strings | |
 | Standard, good quality bright bronze strings from one of the world's most popular string brands.
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| Fender Phosphor bronze mandolin strings | |
 | Gauges: 011-016-026w-040w. |
| GHS Phosphor bronze mandolin strings | |
 | Standard, good quality 80/20 phosphor bronze strings from one of the world's most popular string brands. Available in ultra light (009-013-020w-032w), light (010-015-024w-036w), medium-light (011-016-024w-036w) and medium (011-016-026w-040w) gauges.
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| D'Addario J62 80/20 Phosphor Bronze mandolin strings - light | |
 | D'Addario's phosphor bronze mandolin strings are probably the most popular mandolin strings in the world today. Available in light (010-014-024w-034w), medium (11-015-026w-040w) and medium/heavy (011.5-016-026w-041w) gauges.
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| John Pearse Mandolin strings | |
 | John Pearse is a relatively small string manufacturer known for their high quality. Their strings are especially popular among bluegrass musicians. Available in regular (011-014-025w-039w) and heavy (012-015-026w-040w) gauges.
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| Gibson 167ML Mandolin strings | |
 | 80/20 Bronze Wound Mandolin String medium light 11-41. Please note that the Music123 price giben is a closeout sale price. They're planning to discontinue this product as soon as they're out of stock. |
| Gibson Bill Monroe signature mandolin strings | |
 | Bill Monroe signature mandolin strings. Gauge: 011-015-026w-041w. |
| D'Addario EJ70 Phosphor bronze ball end mandolin strings | |
 | D'Addario EJ70 strings are designed for mandolins requiring ball end strings. Each string has a ball end instead of a loop end. The plain strings are plain steel and the wound strings are Phosphor Bronze. Medium gauge: 011-014-025w-039w. |
| Boston 80/20 phosphor bronze mandolin strings, light gauge | |
 | Usually Boston is just another brand name for standard US-made strings, neither better nor worse nor much different from the other (better known) US brands. When it comes to mandolin strings, there's a slight, but important difference though: instead of the common nickelplated steel wound strings, Boston's chosen to use 80/20 "brass" (I suppose that should really read bronze) just like regular acoustic guitar strings. And unlike the few other brands offering bronze mandolin strings, Boston has managed to keep the price down to "normal" level! The advantages of bronze wound strings are more significant the larger the instrument is and on the small mandolin it has generally been regarded as a waste of money. There is a noticeable difference though, especially on a flat top mandolin and since you don't have to pay extra for bronze strings anymore you defintiely should give them a try! Gauges: 009-012-024w-036w |
| La Bella 80/20 Phosphor/bronze Mandolin strings | |
 | 80/20 Phosphor/bronze wound strings. These are the strings I use myself at the moment (but ask me again in a month or two ;-) It may be my imagination, but the seem to have a bit softer to the touch and rounder tone than D'Addario. Available in light (009-012-021w-036w) and medium (011-015-024w-038w) gauges.
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| All the links in the list are "commercial" links, that is sales generated through them leads to a small comission for this site. If you object to this, you can type the URL to the store you want to buy from directly into the address field of your browser. Also, please note that Musician's Friend only ships within the United States. The other stores included in this list generally ship internationally, but there may be some exceptions. |
Steel wound strings
| A few words about this list | |
| Fender Nickelplated steel mandolin strings | |
 | Gauges: 011-016-026w-040w. |
| Ernie Ball Mandolin strings | |
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| D'Addario Nickelplated steel mandolin strings | |
 | Nickelplated steel probably won't suit most mandolin players, but if you're not happy with the way your mandolin sounds, they are definitely worth a try, and they're definitely the thing to go for if you play the electric mandolin! Available in medium (011-014-025w-039w) and medium/heavy (011-015-026w-040w) gauges.
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| La Bella Silver plated Mandolin strings | |
 | Silver plated wound strings. Silver plated strings gives a lighter and brighter tone than the more common phosphor/bronze ones. Probably not to everyone's taste, but definitely worth a try. Available in light (009-012-021w-036w) and medium (010-014-024w-038w) gauges
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| All the links in the list are "commercial" links, that is sales generated through them leads to a small comission for this site. If you object to this, you can type the URL to the store you want to buy from directly into the address field of your browser. Also, please note that Musician's Friend only ships within the United States. The other stores included in this list generally ship internationally, but there may be some exceptions. |
Special strings
| A few words about this list | |
| GHS Phosphor bronze mandolin strings | |
 | Standard, good quality silk and bronze strings with a "drier" tone and longer life thn regular mandolin strings. Medium gauge: 011-016-026w-040w |
| GHS Phosphor bronze mandolin strings | |
 | Standard, good quality silk and steel strings with a "drier" tone and longer life thn regular mandolin strings. Medium gauge: 011-016-026w-040w |
| D'Addario Coated mandolin strings | |
 | These coated phosphor bronze strings are D'Addario's answer to Elixir. I don't know: this coating may prolong the strings' lifespan a little, but you pay quite some price for it both in terms of money and lost tone. Then again, some people prefer the smoothness of coated strings and rumours say that EXP's coating are a bit less obstrusive to the sound than Elixir's when it comes to mandolin strings.
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| Elixir Nanoweb mandolin strings | |
 | When reviewing products I always try to be nice and find at least something good to say, but this time I had to give up Elixir strings have never really caught on among mandolin players, and for a good reason. The whole idea with coated strings like these is to keep dust and dirt away from the strings, prolonging their lifespan. That may make some sense when we'e talking guitar strings, but mandolin strings never grow old. They break long before that. Apart from the protective coating Elixir aren't very good strings, stiff, unresponsive and with a small, pitifull tone. They cost twice as much as ordinary strings an ain't worth half.
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| D'Addario FT74 Flat Top PB Mandolin Strings | |
 | Semi-polished phosphor bronze mandolin strings. Try these if you have problem with finger noise or if you want a smoother, mellower sound. |
| Elixir Polyweb mandolin strings | |
 | When reviewing products I always try to be nice and find at least something good to say, but this time I had to give up Elixir strings have never really caught on among mandolin players, and for a good reason. The whole idea with coated strings like these is to keep dust and dirt away from the strings, prolonging their lifespan. That may make some sense when we'e talking guitar strings, but mandolin strings never grow old. They break long before that. Apart from the protective coating Elixir aren't very good strings, stiff, unresponsive and with a small, pitifull tone. They cost more than twice as much as ordinary strings an ain't worth half. Light or medum gauge. |
| Thomastik Mandolin strings | |
 | Flatwound, polished silver-plated steel strings with chrome steel core. Even though they have a very "European" sound, Thomastik strings are all the rage among American mandolin players these days. They're smooth, flexible and seem to live forever. If standard American strings are what you're used to, you better be prepared for a serious shock when your mando put these beauties on.
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| Savarez 1540 | |
| Mandoline "Argentine" set of strings. Silverplated copper wound. | |
| All the links in the list are "commercial" links, that is sales generated through them leads to a small comission for this site. If you object to this, you can type the URL to the store you want to buy from directly into the address field of your browser. Also, please note that Musician's Friend only ships within the United States. The other stores included in this list generally ship internationally, but there may be some exceptions. |