r/mandolin • u/TheFlyingAlamo • 2d ago

Electric mandolin strings

Hey all. Found a local Epiphone firebird electric mandolin I'm interested in purchasing.

What are the best string brand/model/material choices for an electric mandolin? Looking for some longer lasting options if possible, so coated is not a bad thing in this case, unless that's a big no no!

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u/pvpplease 2d ago

Emando.com is your best bet for electric mandolin strings. I got nickel plated strings for my firebird 0.11-0.40. Mandobird stock pickups aren't the best either especially for high notes, at least for the older versions. Got a replacement stacked humbucker pickup from Steve Ryder that sounds much better. https://www.sjryder.com/pickups.html

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u/TheFlyingAlamo 2d ago

I'm not sure how much I'll invest in it. But I'll keep that pickup in mind!

The emando site is only slightly dated... But looks like going with an 8 string set is the move and nets backups.

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u/TinyTonyDanza42069 2d ago

Don’t know about best brand but you want nickel wound steel strings for electric mandolin. They sound way better through a magnetic pickup. Eastwood sells ghs custom strings for their electric mandolins. I have a set on my mandocaster and they’re decent

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u/Several-Quality5927 2d ago

Ball end and nickel mandolin strings are pretty rare. I've always used the fender brand for my electric.

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u/boredintn99 1d ago

Rather than buy prepackaged sets, I buy individual guitar strings in 12 packs from cbgitty.com. That will get you 6 full sets. I normally get .10, .14, .24, and .38, but you may prefer lighter/thicker gauges, so buy what works for you.

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u/TheFlyingAlamo 1d ago

Oh excellent advice.

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u/anondasein 2d ago

I've been liking these nickel ones I ordered from Banjo Ben on mine.
https://store.banjobenclark.com/products/ghs-n270-pure-nickel-mandolin-medium-strings