Mandolin strings

[jvanhorn]

Up until about a month ago I couldn't have told you the diffrerence between a banjo or mandolin if my life depended on it, but a then I happened to catch the Marty Stuart show on RFD-TV and I was just amazed about what he could do with that thing. I still don't know anything about it but I was wondering what kind of strings you would use on a mandolin? Would it make a difference if is was acoustic or amplified? It looked like to me that he had 8 [8!] tuners on that thing--is that right. Thanks for any help explaining this thing to a retard, LOL!

Also he seemed to use a very thin strap. Is there a "special" strap that people use on mandolins?

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Yep, 8 strings on it! The strings are typically arranged in 4 pairs and each pair is tuned to a specific pitch; typically G - D - A - E, although G - D - A - D is also common. Usually the high e strings are .009 or .010, just like on a guitar.
As far as the strap goes, I think my uncle uses an old belt

 

[DrKev]

Mandolins are usually 8 strings, in 4 pairs, tuned GDAE from low to hi. All-electric versions are less commonly 8 strings, often just plain 4 or even a 5 strings.

And no, there is no special strap. what ever fits or feels comfortable.