Hi all
Recently I've been focusing on bouzouki more accompaying myself singing and such. However I had a small problem where I broke a string recently, and didn't have a corresponding bouzouki string to replace it with. But I did have a mandolin string of roughly the same gauge so I stuck that on instead. My zouki hasn't been staying in tune as much recently, paticuarly on that string, so I was wondering, was I right to do this? Should I have soldiered on regardless, without that string, because bouzouki strings are pretty scarce in Carlisle, so I'm not sure when I'll get another. And no I don't buy online.
I'd be much appreciative of any help you amazing guys could give me! x
Funnily enough, one of the first bouzoukis I saw for sale in a shop was in the window of J P Dias in Botchergate, Carlisle - in the 70s.
It doesn't matter whether the string is sold as a mandolin string or whatever, if the gauge is the same and it is long enough it should do. There may be other reasons why it doesn't stay in tune.
I'm surprised you can't find a dealer in Carlisle who stocks strings to suit. If you can't get them, though, mail order seems to be the way. Malcolm Newton of Newtone Strings would be a choice.
That will probably work just fine unless it is a different material. Maybe not ideal, but don't worry for the short term. Not sure why you are having tuning problems. Maybe if the strings on the instrument are phosphor bronze and the mandolin string was nickel wound the difference in tension is an issue. Because you have two strings that are not identical at the particular note, they are not equal in tension.
Strings vary in material, construction, length, and gauge, but are not specific to an instrument. For a particular instrument and scale length, you need a string of a particular gauge to get a particular note. There are string tension calculators to help you pick the ideal gauge, but you can vary from that and still get ok results. If you vary too much the string is either too floppy or too tight at a particular note, which can be bad for the instrument. What ends up changing is the string tension. Perhaps someone here can tell you more about the physics of it all.
Remember you don't have to buy a prepackaged set of strings for your instrument. You can buy individual strings at many music stores and create your own sets.
I think it is a simple matter of the mandolin string not being quite long enough. On occasion I have cut strings too short and found that they wouldn't stay in tune. If you can't wrap enough of the string around the tuner pin (for lack of a better wording but I mean the part of the tuning mechanism that the string is wrapped around) the string will slip out of position. That would be my guess.
To help with staying in tune you need to put strings on the machine head capstan in a certain way and then they don't slip. See this video (especially about 7:20 in). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIzVdvzn8d8 You then don't need to have many windings round. Also tighten up any nuts and screws on the machine head. I spent years and years with slipping strings until I started doing it like this (I have mandolins and an octave mandola - I also restring my banjo like this)
Richard makes a good point about loose screws on the machine head. Worn heads can cause problems too.
I aim for two wraps around the barrel when stringing up. then they don't slip on my bouzouki or mandolins
Mandolin string on bouzouki???
Mandolin string on bouzouki???
Hi all
x
Recently I've been focusing on bouzouki more accompaying myself singing and such. However I had a small problem where I broke a string recently, and didn't have a corresponding bouzouki string to replace it with. But I did have a mandolin string of roughly the same gauge so I stuck that on instead. My zouki hasn't been staying in tune as much recently, paticuarly on that string, so I was wondering, was I right to do this? Should I have soldiered on regardless, without that string, because bouzouki strings are pretty scarce in Carlisle, so I'm not sure when I'll get another. And no I don't buy online.
I'd be much appreciative of any help you amazing guys could give me!
# Posted on November 17th 2011 by mandolinist
Re: Mandolin string on bouzouki???
Funnily enough, one of the first bouzoukis I saw for sale in a shop was in the window of J P Dias in Botchergate, Carlisle - in the 70s.
It doesn't matter whether the string is sold as a mandolin string or whatever, if the gauge is the same and it is long enough it should do. There may be other reasons why it doesn't stay in tune.
I'm surprised you can't find a dealer in Carlisle who stocks strings to suit. If you can't get them, though, mail order seems to be the way. Malcolm Newton of Newtone Strings would be a choice.
# Posted on November 17th 2011 by Weejie
Re: Mandolin string on bouzouki???
That will probably work just fine unless it is a different material. Maybe not ideal, but don't worry for the short term. Not sure why you are having tuning problems. Maybe if the strings on the instrument are phosphor bronze and the mandolin string was nickel wound the difference in tension is an issue. Because you have two strings that are not identical at the particular note, they are not equal in tension.
Strings vary in material, construction, length, and gauge, but are not specific to an instrument. For a particular instrument and scale length, you need a string of a particular gauge to get a particular note. There are string tension calculators to help you pick the ideal gauge, but you can vary from that and still get ok results. If you vary too much the string is either too floppy or too tight at a particular note, which can be bad for the instrument. What ends up changing is the string tension. Perhaps someone here can tell you more about the physics of it all.
Remember you don't have to buy a prepackaged set of strings for your instrument. You can buy individual strings at many music stores and create your own sets.
# Posted on November 17th 2011 by John Conoboy
Re: Mandolin string on bouzouki???
I think it is a simple matter of the mandolin string not being quite long enough. On occasion I have cut strings too short and found that they wouldn't stay in tune. If you can't wrap enough of the string around the tuner pin (for lack of a better wording but I mean the part of the tuning mechanism that the string is wrapped around) the string will slip out of position. That would be my guess.
# Posted on November 17th 2011 by Why Bother?
Re: Mandolin string on bouzouki???
funnily enough I did it in reverse yesterday. Took a bouzouki string and put it on the mandolin. Not noticed any significant issues.
# Posted on November 17th 2011 by mickyfong
Re: Mandolin string on bouzouki???
To help with staying in tune you need to put strings on the machine head capstan in a certain way and then they don't slip. See this video (especially about 7:20 in). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIzVdvzn8d8 You then don't need to have many windings round. Also tighten up any nuts and screws on the machine head. I spent years and years with slipping strings until I started doing it like this (I have mandolins and an octave mandola - I also restring my banjo like this)
# Posted on November 17th 2011 by RichardB
Re: Mandolin string on bouzouki???
Richard makes a good point about loose screws on the machine head. Worn heads can cause problems too.
I aim for two wraps around the barrel when stringing up. then they don't slip on my bouzouki or mandolins
# Posted on November 17th 2011 by greg sheils