Banjo Strings and Mandolin Strings How to Choose

Guitar players get all the string advice. Banjo and mandolin players mostly guess. Here is the short version for both, plus a word for the fiddlers.

Banjo strings

A five string banjo uses light, plain steel strings with a nickel wound fourth string. Light gauge, around 9 to 20, is the standard for bluegrass because the strings respond to fingerpicks and the rolls feel fast. Medium sets add volume and a little more work for the left hand. Loop end strings are the common type on banjos, so check which end your tailpiece takes before you buy.

Mandolin strings

A mandolin carries eight strings in four pairs, tuned like a fiddle. Phosphor bronze is the usual choice for a warm, full tone. Medium gauge, around 11 to 40, is the standard that most mandolins are set up for. Lighter sets are easier on the fingers but lose some volume and drive.

Changing them

Change one string at a time so the bridge stays in place. This matters more on banjo and mandolin than on guitar because the bridge is not glued down. If the bridge moves, the instrument plays out of tune up the neck. The string changing guide covers the winding and stretching that apply to every instrument.

How often

Mandolin strings are thin and die faster than guitar strings. A player who picks every day may change them monthly. Banjo strings last longer but go dull. When the chop sounds flat and the rolls sound muddy, that is the sign.

A word for fiddle players

Fiddle strings come in sets for the four sizes. Student sets like the Prelude are built to last and to hold tune, which is what a beginner needs. Change them one at a time here too, so the bridge and sound post stay put.

Setup matters more here

Banjos and mandolins have more adjustable parts than guitars. A good setup is half the instrument. Every instrument we ship is set up by hand on our bench in Athens, Tennessee first. Read what a guitar setup is to see what that covers.

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