What are the string gauges for the gdae strings on a classical-size mandolin? My mandolins and mando-banjo are the size of the classical Neapolitan mandolin, rather than the slightly larger size of the typical modern mandolin.
Thomastik Mediums, a popular set among classical players
E .010 A .015 D .021 G .033
Martin lights, used for their short-scale mandolins
E .010 A .014 D .024 G .034
What kind of mandolin do you have? Irish type? F-style? A-style but with F holes? All arched mandolins can take 012 (on the E-strings) which is what I prefer, it gives more sound volume. But if you have a flat mandolin with oval hole (like most Irish-type mandolins, and all Italian), 012 are usually too heavy, then 011 or 010 would be the best. When I play mandolin I mostly play bluegrass so I’m not after that beautiful chanting sound, I want attack. I like D’Addario or John Pearse.
this is set up for a mountain dulcimer, so I don’t know if it will work, but theorecitally it should…
Tom has a string calculator on our site:
http://www.strothers.com/string_choice.htm
Put the distance from the nut to bridge in, and the note you are trying to tune the string to, and it should give you a close approximation on size. I think it tends to calculate a bit on the “light” size.
If you do try it for mando - would you mind either letting me know via pm or letting Tom know via the web contact on the site? It will be interesting to see if it works for other instruments!