I just got a new MT custom with ivoroid binding and gloss finish on top only. Actually, it's a present for my wife True, she really does want a mando.
Anyway, I know very little about mandos so can anyone suggest what strings/guage I might try? Any other suggestions or tips would be welcome.

I like D'Addario J74 strings. I think those are what is considered a medium gauge for mandolin. I believe the light gauge is J67 or something like that.

Way to go Steve,
I have the same Mando myself. And just a little bit of polish etc and some mild elbow work and the rest will look almost as shiny as the top.
As for strings, anyone who complains about changing the strings on a slot head has NEVER changed strings on a Mando.
Because of that, plus the fact I am old, lazy and have WAY too many geetars, I went with the Elixir mando strings in light gauge. So far, I really like them as well.
But you will have to find the ones you like best. Or should I say your wife will have to !

My understanding is that the MT comes from the factory with J74's. I have the Exp74's on mine and am really happy with them, but the J74's are great too!

Thanks a heap you guys! The store through in a set of Dean Markley regular guage phosphor bronze so I'll give them a go. I (I mean my wife) will have lots more questions. I (I mean she, I mean we) are really stoked...well she will be when she sees it...I hope

Hi Steve: The MT's really are great instruments. I had one a while ago while I was waiting on a lefty Heiden F. You might like to try the Gibson Sam Bush Monels. They have a really nice dry tone and slightly lower string tension. I go back and forth between these and Gibson Bill Monroe's or D'Addario J74s. Although I have tried the coated strings....to me they don't make economic sense since mandolin strings last just about forever.
I'm sure your wife loves that MT.

Steve!
Your wife could not have gotten a better mando! I just got my black topped MT a couple of months ago. Check this thread for pics:
MT thread

Concerning strings I've been using J74 on a regular basis, but I have to change strings every second month or so. I changed the J74 that came with the MT to Elixir Heavy. That was a pleasant surprise soundwise! They give the mando some nice ringing overtones that moves the somewhat bassy and warm sound of my MT towards a brighter but still powerful sound. I have to come back with a report on longevity. I have already noticed that the coating is beginning to come off on the D strings.

I might return to the J74! I always tend to do that, but the Elixir are worth trying if you want to experiment with sound and they might last longer.

Steve, it would be nice to see some pics of your wife's MT!

Mattias

A clarification:

The Elixirs I use are medium and pretty much the same gauges as J74. I'm not sure they're making a heavier set!

Mattias

I was just comparing two MT's yesterday, pretty much the same except for cosmetics. One had J74's and one had FT74's (Semi-Flattened PB's). Both I and the dealer felt, from both in front and behind the two instruments, that there was a shade more clarity and depth to tone of the one with the FT's. Could have been the instruments (I bought the one with the FT's), or it might have been the strings. YMMV

B

I have been using Thomastik-Infeld Mandolin Flat Wound - Stark's on my MT for over a year now. I really like the flat wound feel and the TI tone. They are expensive, but they have a pretty long life span.