I just got a long scale TC Om. I have two other short scale .One TC and a new Weber custom, also a old Flatiron mandola. I would like to try for another sound like a mando cello.Don't want to have to send this new TC to my favorite luthier yet. So can I string this long scale one / without destroying it / to a mando cello ? And how ? I think I already know the answer but I ask anyway. Thanks
Hollis
I'd be concerned that the scale length would be to short to support the tunings you want.
Long scale Octave Mando at 23 inches with Mandocello at 25 inches.
The effect is not enough tension in the stings. The strings might be a bit too floppy to play nicely.
I haven't tried it though.
I'd be inclined to go for the mandocello too. I like the sound and you have most of the rest of the mandolin family. Expensive though.
Mandocello strings are significantly larger in diameter than octave mando strings, so at a minimum you're looking at recutting the nut and saddle to accomodate that. Action would presumably have to be raised at least slightly - best bet might be to just swap out the current nut and bridge (assuming a standard bridge and tailpiece arrangement and not a guitar-type bridge), and keep the current ones for future return to octave mandolin playing.
I don't know how well your particular instrument will take to the low C, it's a lot of air to move around. Many mandocellos have trouble developing any real volume in that range, an octave mando might be disappointing. Worth a try, anyway.
You could try stringing it in octaves, on the bottom courses at least. That might or might not help. Good luck!
As everyone above says;
plus; by the way, what's the scale length you have ? A long-scale OM, but NOT a 'zouk ? These mando-family instruments just multiply in their variety !
I reckon the major problem you will have will be volume and tone, as the box really won't be big enough for the lower notes you want to play.
I have a Trinity College Zouk as they call it.The depth is 3 /1/4'',bout width is 13 /1/2", scale length is 26 /1/2. The nut is 1 / 1/4. While I was looking on the web I ran across the Eastman Mandocello guitar body. Boy, that caused my A.D.D to kick in.Their Mandocello is 1 /3/4" at the nut 25" scale length, 3/1/2"depth,11 /1/2" upper bout and 16" at the lower bout. All just about the sizes of a used $100. Alvarez guitar that I don't play. With all that in mind. What do ya think ? Mutate the zouk or the guitar. I'm thinking that poor guitar !! I guess it just fell into the wrong hands. Hollis
On the MandolinCafe.com site folks do this sort of conversion all the time, so there are folks there who can tell you about almost all aspects of it, particularly the string gauges and tensions relevant to the instrument's strength, scale length and desired tuning.
The section where this is usually discussed is called "CBOM" for Cittern, Bouzouki, Octave mandolin and its address is here:
Octave Mando to mando cello ??
Octave Mando to mando cello ??
I just got a long scale TC Om. I have two other short scale .One TC and a new Weber custom, also a old Flatiron mandola. I would like to try for another sound like a mando cello.Don't want to have to send this new TC to my favorite luthier yet. So can I string this long scale one / without destroying it / to a mando cello ? And how ? I think I already know the answer but I ask anyway. Thanks
Hollis
# Posted on April 27th 2009 by Hollis Sellew
Re: Octave Mando to mando cello ??
I'd be concerned that the scale length would be to short to support the tunings you want.
Long scale Octave Mando at 23 inches with Mandocello at 25 inches.
The effect is not enough tension in the stings. The strings might be a bit too floppy to play nicely.
I haven't tried it though.
I'd be inclined to go for the mandocello too. I like the sound and you have most of the rest of the mandolin family. Expensive though.
# Posted on April 28th 2009 by abuteague
Re: Octave Mando to mando cello ??
Mandocello strings are significantly larger in diameter than octave mando strings, so at a minimum you're looking at recutting the nut and saddle to accomodate that. Action would presumably have to be raised at least slightly - best bet might be to just swap out the current nut and bridge (assuming a standard bridge and tailpiece arrangement and not a guitar-type bridge), and keep the current ones for future return to octave mandolin playing.
I don't know how well your particular instrument will take to the low C, it's a lot of air to move around. Many mandocellos have trouble developing any real volume in that range, an octave mando might be disappointing. Worth a try, anyway.
You could try stringing it in octaves, on the bottom courses at least. That might or might not help. Good luck!
# Posted on April 28th 2009 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Octave Mando to mando cello ??
As everyone above says;
plus; by the way, what's the scale length you have ? A long-scale OM, but NOT a 'zouk ? These mando-family instruments just multiply in their variety !
I reckon the major problem you will have will be volume and tone, as the box really won't be big enough for the lower notes you want to play.
# Posted on April 28th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Octave Mando to mando cello ??
I have a Trinity College Zouk as they call it.The depth is 3 /1/4'',bout width is 13 /1/2", scale length is 26 /1/2. The nut is 1 / 1/4. While I was looking on the web I ran across the Eastman Mandocello guitar body. Boy, that caused my A.D.D to kick in.Their Mandocello is 1 /3/4" at the nut 25" scale length, 3/1/2"depth,11 /1/2" upper bout and 16" at the lower bout. All just about the sizes of a used $100. Alvarez guitar that I don't play. With all that in mind. What do ya think ? Mutate the zouk or the guitar. I'm thinking that poor guitar !! I guess it just fell into the wrong hands. Hollis
# Posted on April 28th 2009 by Hollis Sellew
Re: Octave Mando to mando cello ??
Go with the guitar, you'll only be pushing yourself a major third below the intended range instead of a fifth.
# Posted on April 28th 2009 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Octave Mando to mando cello ??
On the MandolinCafe.com site folks do this sort of conversion all the time, so there are folks there who can tell you about almost all aspects of it, particularly the string gauges and tensions relevant to the instrument's strength, scale length and desired tuning.
The section where this is usually discussed is called "CBOM" for Cittern, Bouzouki, Octave mandolin and its address is here:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=50
Very nice bunch of folks, pleasant place.
Good luck with your project, it sounds fun.
stv
# Posted on April 29th 2009 by stv culchie
Re: Octave Mando to mando cello ??
Thanks again folks
# Posted on April 29th 2009 by Hollis Sellew
Re: Octave Mando to mando cello ??
You may find it sounds better with only one string on the low C.
Due too low tension they often hit each other when double strung
# Posted on May 6th 2009 by UKCITTERN