Mandolin Strings

Our mandolin strings are 92/8 phosphor bronze over a steel hex core on the wound strings, with plain steel strings finished with a loop end lock twist — a twist that holds the loop closed so it does not open up on the tailpiece hook and slip. Phosphor bronze is the standard mandolin wrap because it gives the instrument warmth underneath its natural bite, and keeps the bottom two courses from sounding thin.

A mandolin has eight strings in four courses, and both strings in a course are the same gauge and tuned in unison, so each set contains two of each.

Choosing a gauge

.010–.036 Light is the easier set: less tension on the top, more comfortable under the fingers, and kinder to an older instrument or one you are not sure about. .011–.040 Medium is the bluegrass set — more tension, more volume, a stronger low end and more push behind a chop chord. If you are playing in a jam and need to be heard, go medium. If your hands tire or your mandolin is delicate, go light.

Gauges

Each set contains two strings of every gauge listed, one for each string in the course.

How Mandolin compares to our other specialty sets

These are our mandolin sets. The same 92/8 phosphor bronze wrap is used on our Phosphor Bronze acoustic guitar sets. If you also play banjo, our banjo sets are stainless and loop end. Bouzouki players have their own set, and for bajo sexto and bajo quinto we make loop end sets in both nickel and phosphor bronze.

Made in the USA.