Thomastik Mandolin Set light

To use technical language - these are "da bomb". I understand that many people may want a more twangy, metallic, kind of sound - but for me the sound is perfect. I've never heard strings that sound so sweet. At the same time they can be as full-on loud as your instrument will allow.
There are three things that are worth noting besides the sound quality 1. both ends of the strings are wrapped in silk - this is really useful when winding them round the tuning pegs - it's very easy to fit them cleanly and that makes for easier tuning and less breakages 2. the A string is wound - this makes for more consistent sound across the four strings. The much cheaper flat-wounds from some major manufacturers don't have this and you can hear and feel the difference 3. the flat tape windings are only just barely visible to the naked eye - this distinguishes the Thomastiks from any other flat wounds that I have encountered - and again it can be heard and felt.
I will try to revisit this review after 6 months and report on how they hold up. I expect them to do very well indeed.

These are very good quality strings that last a very long time in use. Sound is excellent too - if - you like the flatwound sound - some do some don't, only way to find out is to try them and see. Unlike most mandolin string sets these have a wound A string, giving less difference in tone as you move from course to course.

On the down side, these are painfully expensive (so just as long they last a long time then!) and those wound A strings are outrageously fragile: the core breaks pretty much as soon as you wind them round the post. That's actually fine as long as you don't need to remove them before then next change and make sure the cloth-wound section is on the string post, but no good for us set-up guys.

Other than that, if you want a flatwound set on a vintage bowlback then these are the ones.