My understanding is that the main reason for coated strings (e.g. D'Addario XS) is to prolong string life without harming the sound it can produce. My impression is that the sounds produced fell into two groups where the XS is the brightest and the other group, with the remaining three strings, are all darker and quite similar to each other. As far as my own preference goes, I liked the Monel and EJ67's equally. Of course playability is equally important and I'd choose the XS if they were noticeably better playing even if they weren't my most preferred sound. That's because the difference between the strings, while definitely noticeable, wasn't like night and day.
Your points are dead-on. The XS PB's are a very different string from all the others. Two points that I said but want to reemphasize: 1) the XS are "grabby". I commented on that in the guitar string video, too. 2) I use PB's on my other mandolin, therefore I do like something different on this one. You're exactly right that all the "silver" strings are pretty close and this is really a test of D'Addario "silver" strings, rather than a test of "a wide variety of strings". They all sound similar so playability was most definitely the deciding factor here. Here's the guitar video: ruclips.net/video/8yDVejcQTLc/видео.html
@@Bryankimsey Just ordered two sets! I'm glad you commented on those waverly tuners. I was thinking about them. Need a set on my f model, what would you reccomend?
I don't know my mandolin tuners that well. The ones on my Krishot work just great. Lemme find out if they're Schaller or Gotoh. The measurements and the screw hole locations are different between the two. One of them is an exact replacement for Waverly (well... usually vice versa) but I don't know which.
My understanding is that the main reason for coated strings (e.g. D'Addario XS) is to prolong string life without harming the sound it can produce. My impression is that the sounds produced fell into two groups where the XS is the brightest and the other group, with the remaining three strings, are all darker and quite similar to each other. As far as my own preference goes, I liked the Monel and EJ67's equally. Of course playability is equally important and I'd choose the XS if they were noticeably better playing even if they weren't my most preferred sound. That's because the difference between the strings, while definitely noticeable, wasn't like night and day.
Your points are dead-on. The XS PB's are a very different string from all the others. Two points that I said but want to reemphasize: 1) the XS are "grabby". I commented on that in the guitar string video, too. 2) I use PB's on my other mandolin, therefore I do like something different on this one.
You're exactly right that all the "silver" strings are pretty close and this is really a test of D'Addario "silver" strings, rather than a test of "a wide variety of strings". They all sound similar so playability was most definitely the deciding factor here.
Here's the guitar video:
ruclips.net/video/8yDVejcQTLc/видео.html
EJ 67 had a lot better low end response. Got to try a set on my mandolin now!
I kept saying stainless steel.... they're nickel wraps on steel. Try a set!
@@Bryankimsey Just ordered two sets! I'm glad you commented on those waverly tuners. I was thinking about them. Need a set on my f model, what would you reccomend?
I don't know my mandolin tuners that well. The ones on my Krishot work just great. Lemme find out if they're Schaller or Gotoh. The measurements and the screw hole locations are different between the two. One of them is an exact replacement for Waverly (well... usually vice versa) but I don't know which.
@@Bryankimsey Thanks. Maybe you could do a short video sometime about it.
D’ Addario XS all the way! Not even close to me.