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How often do you change your mandolin strings? I have heard that guitar strings should be changed after every 40 hours of playing. Maybe like most, I go a long time before changing my strings.
Also, doesn't it take awhile for strings to "break in" and it's therefore not recommended to change them right before a performance?
Also, what type of strings for which sound?
Monday, November 2, 2009
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Back in the 60's when I played Classical Guitar, strings lasted from an hour to 14 days. You were always tuning and no elctronic turners. I change Mandolin Strings when they sound dull with poor response. Some last minutes and others last months. I like bright sounding strings and the 80/20 Bronze strings sound this way on my mandolin. Martin Blue Grass Strings or D'Addrio J-62's sound best on my instrument in my opinion. I am sure each instrument and person are different.
I go with three options myself, in no particular order.
1. When they sound terrible. It's totally subjective, just whenever I notice they sound a fair amount worse than they used to.
2. When they're starting to rust/corrode in a very noticeable manner. If wiping the strings leaves them clean, I let them stay. If after a wipe down I'm left with a gritty, rusty feel or my fingers end up dark after playing, then it's time to change.
3. When they become a pain to keep in tune. Usually happens to my A course first. If they won't stay in tune, they won't stay on my instrument.
I've tried J74's, EXP 74's and EXP 75's and FT 74's, Jazzmando, and Thomastik.
I like the feel of the FT's, Jazzmando and Thomastiks, but the Jazzmando's and the Thomastik mediums are too light for my mandolin. I'd need to go to the Thomastik "stark", I think.
From a sound and longevity standpoint, the EXP 74's seem to work the best for me. I change them about 2x a year.
I'd like to try the Thomastik "starks" but they are quite expensive, and I always order 2 packs in case something goes awry when I change strings.
I change strings once or twice per year per instrument. I use John Pearse phosphor bronze mediums on my Weber Fs, D'Addario J62s on my old Gibson A, John Pearse phosphor bronze mandola strings on my mandolas, and whatever I can find for the larger instruments.
I change the strings on my Breedlove and National about every 4 months (EXP 74s), longer if they still sound good and stay in tune. I use GHS A260s on my Mid-Mo, and they last about three months, sometimes four. My old mandos get new strings about once a year (they don't get played as often). I'll change strings more often if they start sounding dull or refuse to stay in tune.
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