Mandolas again!

[Hans]

I've been looking in the archives (thanks Dan for doing a great job!) at mandolas, and see that most all H1's and 2's have 12 fret necks (longer riser block), the H-4's have right around 11 fret necks, and the H-5's have 13 fret necks. I've also heard that a few builders are making 15 fret necks. Any players care to comment on the different neck lengths and the need for accessability up the neck on mandolas. I'm thinking 12 on the oval hole 3 pt, as I don't want the bridge to be too far forward.

Thanks! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Bob A]

I've had an H4 for years - somehow I don't do much playing past 1st position on a mandola, so neck length is a secondary concern for me.

[acousticphd]

I have a Peter Sawchyn pancake-style mandola (17" scale), so it is a different basic style. The neck meets the body around the 11th-12th fret, but the neck heel is fairly compact so its not hard to get up to the octave fret on occasion. Ease of play up there has a lot to do with the shape/span of the neck heel, which tends to be under the 8th-9th fret on the Gibson ovalhole styles. I think being able to use a 2nd-fret capo for some keys is useful on a mandola, so having a bit more neck free might be handy.