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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2014 8:14:36 GMT
Just wondering what you guys use for your octave mandolins? Must admit I'm struggling a bit trying to find the right gauges. Currently I'm using a pretty heavy gauge set by John Pearse (14 to 48) as this is what Weber recommended. However, Brook measured the guages that were on mine as 14.5 22 34 52 (!) Must admit, I've lost some of the punch I had on the bottom string with it only being a 48. Thought I would try Wyres to make me up some custom sets of coated ones (amazingly there are no coated strings in existance for OMs) but after a flurry of emails in which I still can't quite work out whether they say they can do them or not I've all but given up. So, any recommendations? I think I'm going to try Newtone next. I know you can get youor own gauges made up via Eagle Music, but again, the exact guages I would like do not exist! If only Newtone would do coated strings Robbie
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on May 8, 2014 8:19:44 GMT
What scale length Robbie?
Keith
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2014 8:30:53 GMT
What scale length Robbie? Keith 22" I believe. Not exactly the shortest of scale lengths, but considerably shorter than the Tobin, Robbie
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Post by ocarolan on May 8, 2014 10:01:52 GMT
22", so that's about 558mm. My Defaoite is 530mm so at least an inch shorter than your instrument, so bear that in mind when looking at my gauges. The strings I use, after a fair bit of experimentation, are 14-22-32-49 (though I still have some 47s to try soon - 52 was definitely too clunky). I use normal D'Add PB (surprisingly for me!) bought as singles. I did try their coated ones when they were on offer, but hated the muted sound from them! Will you plus octave mandolin be at Paul's on Sat? If so I'll bring my octave mandolin. Keith
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Post by vikingblues on May 9, 2014 7:08:15 GMT
I'm afraid I just boringly have used D'Addario J80 Phosphor Bronze : way too light for you Robbie I would think at 12 22 32 46. I think I'm stuck in a D'Addario rut with nearly all my fretted instruments!
The joys of aching finger joints rule out heavier for me than the J80s. But it is a 585mm / 23" scale length - bringing into question the manufacturers Octave Mandolin badge rather than maybe short scale Bouzouki.
Not that putting better strings on my cheap Hora would be likely to add hugely to the sound, but I'm very happy with the noise the J80s make so far.
Mark
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2014 8:44:40 GMT
I found strings direct stock a mandola set that just about has the right guages: 14, 23, 34, 49, so I've ordered a set to try. But I've also put in an order with Newtone now.
Robbie
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Post by Trevor TAMCO on May 9, 2014 8:45:00 GMT
"amazingly there are no coated strings in existence for OMs"
Hi Robbie, you can use single guitar strings, strings aren't generally made specially for OMs or mandolins just cut differently.
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2014 11:53:52 GMT
"amazingly there are no coated strings in existence for OMs" Hi Robbie, you can use single guitar strings, strings aren't generally made specially for OMs or mandolins just cut differently. Thanks Trevor- you know you are right, I hadn't thought of that. An 8 string set of elixirs would be expensive but maybe economical if a set lasts me more than a couple of weeks! Thoroughly enjoying the weber btw Robbie
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