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?
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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.
ReplyDeleteI go with three options myself, in no particular order.
ReplyDelete1. 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDelete