9 or 10 string acoustic

[Andrew DeMarco]

All,

Has/Does anyone build/t a 9 or 10 string acoustic mandolin, with an added low string/s either being a single or a course?

Thanks,
Linguist

[danb]

yes, quite a few modern builders have experimented with them, and Vega made them in the teens on cylinderbacks. Gibson made a few custom instruments in that style too

[BlueMountain]

Several UK makers make them, and there are US makers who say on their web sites that they can make them, but the names don't come to mind. If they can work out the intonation and string tension problems, it can be a great instrument. It's like playing a mandolin with a mandola C course at the bottom.

[Woody Turner]

Contact Pete Langdell. He's done it. Go to the Rigel Web site for contact info.

[mandolooter]

Check out here...JazzMando (http://jazzmando.com/trcio_ribeiro.shtml)

[trevor]

I have had several made by Old wave, Rigel (the Pete Langdell reference above was made for me), Moon, Fylde Buchanan and Capek. I have also had them in by Monteleone, Curtis and Vega. I am currently having a fan fret made by James Condino. There is lots of info on my website on the 10 string/cittern pages.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Stephan Sobell (http://www.sobellinstruments.com/) builds them, and MC discussion forum regular Dagger Gordon plays one, as does Iain Macleod, formerly of Shooglenifty.

I also think Graham McDonald (http://www.mcdonaldstrings.com/) in Australia might offer them on his sharp looking carved-top/flat-back model.

Message forum sponsor Gypsy's Music (http://www.gypsysmusic.com/) also builds them, and they are quite reasonably priced. I haven't played one of their 10-string models, but I own one of their 8-string models which I am very happy with, and I have seen several nice reviews from other Gypsy's mandolin and mandola owners here in the discussion forums.

[allenhopkins]

How is the chording on a five-course model? Do most players do "full" chords across all five courses, or "partials" using four or fewer courses?

And also, are most five-course players more into Celtic or jazz, or are there some bluegrass players who use a five-course to play that style?

[trevor]

Allen,

There are some basic tips on my 10 string/cittern pages, I think its down at this moment but should be working again later today. I intend to add some std chords in a month or two.

[swampstomper]

Ithaca Stringed Instruments (http://www.ithacastring.com/) has made, and will make, 10-strings in any register. I was in serious negotiation with them about a alto mandola / mandolin 10 string, which is the most common (C-G-d-a-e'). I finally decided it was neither fish nor fowl and I would simply switch between mandolin and mandola as needed. It's quite difficult to get a good sound across the whole range on one instrument.

[groveland]

How is the chording on a five-course model? #Do most players do "full" chords across all five courses, or "partials" using four or fewer courses?

And also, are most five-course players more into Celtic or jazz, or are there some bluegrass players who use a five-course to play that style?
Is there a Jazz Ten String Players' Support Group out there somewhere? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I play jazz on a 10-string (long scale), but I'm thinking I'm way out in left field. I haven't encountered anyone else doing this (though there's GOT to be someone...) Go figure - It's the perfect vehicle for it. As for chording, I'm guessing 50/50 five and four note chords, 'closed' position the vasy majority of the time, though the low C is pretty irresistible!