4 string mandolin?

[Fred_Murtz]

I was just wondering, has anyone ever seen a four string mandolin (one E string, one A string, one D string, and one G string). #It would have only 4 tuners, not 8.

Seems like it would have a unique sound, but I've never heard of such an instrument being made/played.

Next time I change strings I may try it out and see how it sounds/plays. Of course, an instrument built for 4 strings could have some lighter bracing due to the decreased string tension and that could be utilized to modify the tone.

[Trip]

I restrung my Fender acoustic/electric with TIs as a four string and it sounds pretty thin unplugged, but does give a good showing as an electric with effects.....some of the volume is probably killed by not having much pressure on the top for acoustic play

[Eugene]

There were a couple historic versions of 4-string mandolins: the mandolino Cremonese and its descendent, the mandolino Bresciano. They were strung with gut, but played with picks. The latter persisted into the 20th c. You can download Paganini being played on a mandolino Bresciano here (http://www.duozigiottimerlante.it/download.htm). Check it out.

[ourgang]

The Fender Mandocasters are 4 and 5 string. I'm sure that there are other 4 and 5 string mandos (electric) out there.

[johnwalser]

I have two 4 string electric mandos (a Schwab and a Epiphone) but the nicest 4 string accoustic I have seen is this one owned by Michael Lampert. It is from the ukraine and has a beautifully bowled back. He makes a wonderful tone with it, but then he gets far better tone from my own instruments than they ever make for me.
John

[Jim Garber]

The four-string Russian bowled single-strung instrument is a domra.

Check out the playing of
Tamara Volkskaya (http://www.doremi.com/ddr71119.html).

Jim

[johnwalser]

I'm not sure if Tamara plays a 3 or 4 string domra, but you can hear her play at: http://www.amazon.com/exec....4323267 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000005FWU/qid%3D1083618215/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/002-4521361-4323267)
John