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Strings

Every acoustic instruments need strings to actually provide the tone of the instrument. Regardless the quality of woods, the careful craftsmanship and attention to detail, the most expensive instruments can't make a tone without the string, which is a relatively inexpensive item. The string is the element that provides the source of vibration on bluegrass instruments like the guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, dobro and bass. Strings come in a huge variety of materials and gauges for differing tonal qualities and notes.

Banjo Strings

The banjo string provides the vibration, which transfers through the floating bridge, to the head of the banjo, which creates to tone. Typically, banjo strings have a loop end to attach to the tailpiece. Most common material is nickel, and the first through third and fifth string are unwound and the fourth string is wound. There are various gauges of string sets to accommodate the players style and the tonal qualities of each individual banjo.

Banjo Strings
Bass Strings

Bass strings are a very heavy gauge (Thickness) necessary to produce the long wavelengths and low tones of the bass instrument. Traditionally, bass violin strings were made of gut for an even mellow tone. While gut strings are still available, the cost and high maintenance has seen them be replaced by synthetic materials. Steel strings as well as a synthetic material wrapped with steel are also a common bass string construction.

Bass Strings
Dobro Strings

Dobro strings provide vibration through the bridge and to the cone and soundwell. Dobro strings typically have a ball end to slip into the slot in the bridge. Dobro strings come in many different gauges (thicknesses) and materials. Flat and semi-flat wound strings are a popular option to reduce bar noise. We carry the best brands of dobro strings and several signature series sets by artists such as Tim Shearhorn and Phil Ledbetter.

Dobro Strings
Fiddle Strings

Fiddle strings were originally made of sheep's intestine, also called catgut. Most fiddle strings today are either a stranded synthetic core wound with metal, or a solid or stranded steel core, wound with metals. Fiddle strings may have several layers of winding to influence the warmth or brightness of the string. Fiddle string prices vary greatly by the materal type with gut-core being the most expensive, followed by synthetic cores, and the cheapest being steel cores.

Fiddle Strings
Guitar Strings

Guitar strings provide the vibration that travels through the bridge and saddle to vibrate the top of an acoustic guitar, with the sound further vibrating inside the chamber and exiting the soundhole. Today, there are as many different types and gauges of strings as there are varying tastes in music. A heavier gauge guitar string (higher number) provides higher tension and generally a louder tone, Lighter strings provide a softer tone and are easier on the fingers.

Guitar Strings
Mandolin Strings

Mandolin strings come in sets of eight, with two of each gauge that are strung in pairs. The strings provide the vibration for the instrument which transfers through the bridge, and causes the top of the mandolin to vibrate and produce a tine. Mandolin strings typically have loop ends to attach to the tailpiece. Usually, the first two pair of strings are plain, with the lower two being wound. Mandolin sets come in various materials and gauges to suit any players taste.

Mandolin Strings
Other Strings

Autoharp strings and dulcimer strings at PlayBetterBluegrass.com. All autoharp and dulcimer strings are discount priced and most ship the same day.

Other Strings
Items [25]
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D'Addario Phosphor Bronze Guitar Strings
D'Addario Phosphor Bronze Guitar Strings
Genuine phosphor bronze alloy retains flexibility as well as brilliant tone for many hours of hard play. Computer controlled wrapping around a hex core ensures consistency and extends life. We recommend D'Addario phosphor bronze strings to our customers and students.
Product# EJXX
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More info on D'Addario Phosphor Bronze Guitar StringsBuy D'Addario Phosphor Bronze Guitar Strings Now!List Price: US $13.99Our Price: US $7.59

Martin Phosphor Bronze Guitar Strings
Martin Phosphor Bronze Guitar Strings
Martin Phosphor Bronze strings are made with a unique composition to give brilliance, clarity, and longevity of sound. The Phosphor Bronze winding alloy is ideally suited for making strings that have deep, rich basses and clear, bright trebles
Product# M5XX
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More info on Martin Phosphor Bronze Guitar StringsBuy Martin Phosphor Bronze Guitar Strings Now!List Price: US $11.95Our Price: US $5.39

John Pearse Phosphor Bronze Guitar Strings
John Pearse Phosphor Bronze Guitar Strings
English studio musician John Pearse first began researching into music string manufacture in the mid-sixties. In 1980 John started Breezy Ridge Instruments. From this came a line of music strings designed especially for the professional musician. Within months of their introduction, word of these exciting strings had spread across the country things have just kept growing since then!
Product# JP
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More info on John Pearse Phosphor Bronze Guitar StringsBuy John Pearse Phosphor Bronze Guitar Strings Now!List Price: US $12.95Our Price: US $8.99

GHS Phosphor Bronze
GHS Phosphor Bronze
The special durable alloy delivers long-lasting rich, bright tone. The core to cover ratio has been perfected to increase brightness and flexibility without harsh overtones.
Product# GHSPB
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More info on GHS Phosphor BronzeBuy GHS Phosphor Bronze Now!List Price: US $13.25Our Price: US $7.95

Elixir Polyweb Guitar Strings
Elixir Polyweb Guitar Strings
Elixir Strings are covered with an ultra-thin, space-age polymer tube that contacts the string on the tops of the windings only. This leaves the all-important winding-to-winding-to-core space free from the fear of the enemies of tone! Most players report that Elixir Strings keep sounding great three to five times longer than ordinary strings.
Product# EPOLY
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More info on Elixir Polyweb Guitar StringsBuy Elixir Polyweb Guitar Strings Now!List Price: US $28.00Our Price: US $15.99

Gibson Earl Scruggs Signature Series
Gibson Earl Scruggs Signature Series
The Earl Scruggs Signature Series Mediums bring out the best tone in my banjo. They are what I always put on my banjo and what I recommend to my customers and students, Tim Roggenkamp (owner).
Product# GES
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More info on Gibson Earl Scruggs Signature SeriesBuy Gibson Earl Scruggs Signature Series Now!List Price: US $12.42Our Price: US $6.79

D'Addario Banjo Strings
D'Addario Banjo Strings
D'Addario banjo strings are the Player's Choice for many professional bluegrass musicians. Made from top quality plain steel and nickel plated steel or phosphor bronze wound strings.
Product# J6X
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GHS Banjo Strings
GHS Banjo Strings
GHS loop end sets are extra long (42" Winding) to fit any banjo. Loops are special shape to fit a variety of tailpieces. Plain steel strings feature GHS Lock Twist to stay in tune.
Product# PF1XX
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More info on GHS Banjo StringsBuy GHS Banjo Strings Now!List Price: US $6.55Our Price: US $3.89

Martin Vega Banjo Strings
Martin Vega Banjo Strings
The name Vega has been synonymous with fine quality-crafted banjos since 1889. All raw materials are of premium quality to assure brilliance, clarity, and longevity. Vega strings are highly resistant to corrosion. The smooth consistency of the wrap wires makes them ideal for all styles of banjo playing.
Product# V7XX
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Elixir Banjo Strings
Elixir Banjo Strings
Elixir Strings are covered with an ultrathin, space-age polymer tube that contacts the string on the tops of the windings only. This leaves the all-important winding-to-winding-to-core space free from the fear of the enemies of tone!
Product# 116XX
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More info on Elixir Banjo StringsBuy Elixir Banjo Strings Now!List Price: US $17.35Our Price: US $9.49

Gibson Bill Monroe Signature Series
Gibson Bill Monroe Signature Series
Bill Monroe used only the best strings for his mandolin. Now you can too. His personal set features a premium phosphor bronze wrap for true tone and maximum response. For the discriminating player who wants the legendary Bill Monroe feel and sound. All Gibson strings are bench tested and builder approved to bring the best sound possible out of your instrument.
Product# GBMS
More info on Gibson Bill Monroe Signature SeriesBuy Gibson Bill Monroe Signature Series Now!List Price: US $17.27Our Price: US $9.49

D'Addario Mandolin/Mandola Strings
D'Addario Mandolin/Mandola Strings
D'Addario Phosphor Bronze mandolin strings are the choice of many top bluegrass mandolin players. Genuine phosphor bronze alloy retains flexibility as well as brilliant tone for many hours of hard play. Computer-controlled wrapping around a hex core ensures consistency and extends life. We recommend D'Addario mandolin strings to our customers and students.
Product# J7X
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More info on D'Addario Mandolin/Mandola StringsBuy D'Addario Mandolin/Mandola Strings Now!List Price: US $12.99Our Price: US $7.69

GHS Mandolin Strings
GHS Mandolin Strings
GHS Phospher Bronze mandolin strings deliver clean, bright tone and longer life. Specify Light or Medium Gauge.
Product# GHSMando
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More info on GHS Mandolin StringsBuy GHS Mandolin Strings Now!List Price: US $10.95Our Price: US $6.39

Martin SP Phosphor Bronze Medium Mandolin Strings
Martin SP Phosphor Bronze Medium Mandolin Strings
Studop Performance phosphor bronze medium gauge mandolin strings. Martin mandolin strings are the string of choice for mandolin players all over the world. Martin's state-of-the-art equipment winds their strings to exacting specifications.
Product# M-4460
More info on Martin SP Phosphor Bronze Medium Mandolin StringsBuy Martin SP Phosphor Bronze Medium Mandolin Strings Now!List Price: US $15.95Our Price: US $7.39

John Pearse Mandolin Strings
John Pearse Mandolin Strings
John Pearse is not the largest string manufacturers, but has an excellent reputation for quality strings, particularly among bluegrass pickers. The mandolin strings are 80/20 bronze for a bright, punchy sound.
Product# JP2100M
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More info on John Pearse Mandolin StringsBuy John Pearse Mandolin Strings Now!List Price: US $11.45Our Price: US $7.49

Old Fiddler Strings
Old Fiddler Strings
Ideal for Country, Western & Bluegrass. Produce and crisp clean sound, stay in tune and hold a perfect tone even under changing outdoor concert conditions.
Product# SS240
More info on Old Fiddler StringsBuy Old Fiddler Strings Now!List Price: US $32.60Our Price: US $24.99

Super Sensitive Red Label Medium
Super Sensitive Red Label Medium
Full core steel string with nickel winding. These long-lasting strings provide good tonal quality and dependability. Favored by instructors, students, and by many professional musicians.
Product# SS2107
More info on Super Sensitive Red Label MediumBuy Super Sensitive Red Label Medium Now!List Price: US $34.57Our Price: US $24.99

D'Addario Prelude
D'Addario Prelude
Solid steel core string that is durable and not affected by temperature and humidity changes. Prelude strings have a clear, bright sound without the shrill sound of traditional steel strings and have a quick bow response.
Product# J810
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D'Addario Helicore
D'Addario Helicore
Helicore's multi-strand, twisted steel core strings have a small string diameter providing a quick bow response. Thanks to special manufacturing techniques, the Helicore strings have a warm clear sound with excellent pitch stability and longevity.
Product# H310
More info on D'Addario HelicoreBuy D'Addario Helicore Now!List Price: US $60.00Our Price: US $42.99

Thomastik Dominant Violin Strings
Thomastik Dominant Violin Strings
The core of Dominant strings are made of perlon, a synthetic material which retaines the elastic nature of gut, while exhibiting superior response, durability and volume.
Product# 135
More info on Thomastik Dominant Violin StringsBuy Thomastik Dominant Violin Strings Now!List Price: US $90.50Our Price: US $66.95

Martin Nickel Wound Dobro Strings
Martin Nickel Wound Dobro Strings
Martin selected a nickel/steel alloy for its tonal qualities which are best suited to accent the strong resonating tendencies of most resonator guitars. In addition, Martin Bluegrass strings are highly resistant to corrosion.
Product# M980
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GHS Pure Nickle Rollerwound Resonator Strings
GHS Pure Nickle Rollerwound Resonator Strings
Rollerwound pure nickel, G-tuning, for Dobro type / acoustic slide guitar, 016 018 028W 036W 046W 056W
Product# 1600
More info on GHS Pure Nickle Rollerwound Resonator StringsBuy GHS Pure Nickle Rollerwound Resonator Strings Now!List Price: US $14.00Our Price: US $7.99

GHS Phosphor Bronze Roundwound Dobro Strings
GHS Phosphor Bronze Roundwound Dobro Strings
These Phosphor Bronze GHS strings are specially combined to give the best "G-Tuning" set for acoustic slide guitar and dobro.
Product# 1650
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Supernill Bass Strings
Supernill Bass Strings
One of the only Nylon core bass strings still on the market. Thick diameter, loose tension, that are a good choice bluegrass bass playing. Easier on the fingers than steel and much cheaper than gut.
Product# 1006SN
More info on Supernill Bass StringsBuy Supernill Bass Strings Now!List Price: US $160.00Our Price: US $105.00

Red Label Bass
Red Label Bass
Full core steel string with nickel winding bass set.
Product# SS810RG
More info on Red Label BassBuy Red Label Bass Now!List Price: US $158.00Our Price: US $109.00

Banjo Strings - Mandolin Strings - Fiddle Strings - Dobro Strings - Guitar Strings

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