Customer Reviews

D'Addario J80 Phosphor Bronze Octave Mandolin Strings, Medium, 12-46

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I haven't been able to find much choice for octave mandolin strings, so I gave these a try. As with most strings they sound tinny at first until they are broken in (1 to 2 days of playing an hour or so seemed to be enough to me.)

They sound great on my Weber Absaroka, crisp and clean. It seems like I hear more of a distinction between various playing styles than I did with my old set. (e.g. playing with a pick, strumming with fingers, plucking, etc...)

Also, they stay in tune. I would have to tune my old set quite often, but these are very close to perfect every time I pick up my instrument.

Again, this may just be new strings vs. old strings, but without any comparison (no other choices), it don't have any problems with these what-so-ever and are very happy with them.

These are excellent strings which is a good thing since I have not had an extreme amount of success finding octave strings.

Unlike mandolin strings, three of these strings are wound and only the first or E string is plain steel. This, I am given to understand from researching this instrument, is important since the Octave is tuned a whole octave lower than the mandolin.

A mandolin normally has two wound and two plain strings.

You might actually be able to assemble a set of octave strings from mandolin strings by buying a set of heavy guage strings and one of medium strings. Since this would probably cost you the same amount of money I plan to juwt order these strings. You do, of course, save on shipping when you order two or three sets at once.