A　new　type　of　sensing　coil　for　magnetostrictive　sensor　(MsS)　is　presented　in　this　paper.　The　flexible　printed　meander　coil　(FPMC)　can　offer　micron　level　dimensional　accuracy　for　the　structure　parameters　which　link　to　the　central　frequency　of　the　MsS.　Thus,　the　actual　central　frequency　of　the　FPMC-based　MsS　can　precisely　meet　the　expected　value.　The　number　of　coil　groups　in　the　FPMC　is　optimised　to　maximise　the　excited　and　received　energy　of　the　megahertz-range　longitudinal　guided　waves　in　the　strand　and　its　central　rod.　Meanwhile,　the　FPMC　can　be　easily　wrapped　onto　the　twisted　strand　surface　and　also　can　be　installed　onto　the　central　rod　of　the　strand　after　being　wrapped　into　multiple　layers.　With　the　proposed　megahertz-range　FPMC-based　MsS,　the　rod/strand　inspection　system　is　potential　to　be　applied　for　practical　inspections,　having　higher　axial　inspection　resolution　and　sensitivity　to　small　defects.　©　2012　Inderscience　Enterprises　Ltd.