8STRINGR
Jan-02-2009, 9:10am
Hello fellow Cafe'ers!
First of all, I'd like to wish everyone here a Safe, Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
Please, excuse my ignorance in even asking this. Maybe it's because I never knew any better, was never shown, just never asked or had even forgot to ever ask over the years since I've been playing mandolin but I have a few questions regarding the use of the string loop hooks on the tail piece when changing mandolin strings.
I have always routed both my E and A strings straight up from the hooks, not using the lower hooks. It once again came to mind the question of why some mandolins have the E and A strings hooping on the lower hooks of the tail piece, making their sharp bend around the upper hook and then up to the saddle/ bridge area and so on. Here are my questions:
Is there a "right or wrong" way between the two methods of restringing?
Is there an ONLY WAY you should be stringing a mandolin?
"Pros and Cons" with either method?
Does one way or the other "shorten or prolong" string life (breakage) ? If I've ever (rarely) experienced any string breakage it has never been in the loop/hook area but mostly around the bridge area.
I'm also curious about the possible strain put on the 45 degree bend at the upper hook figuring that's most likely where the string would probably weaken and break.
And finally, does one way or the other make any difference in tone or projection or there's no effect at all?
I know I could easily experiment this myself but I'm seeking input from folks who've experienced trying either methods and have you benefited sticking with one method or by changing to another.
Thanks for any input! Sorry for the long post. :mandosmiley:
First of all, I'd like to wish everyone here a Safe, Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
Please, excuse my ignorance in even asking this. Maybe it's because I never knew any better, was never shown, just never asked or had even forgot to ever ask over the years since I've been playing mandolin but I have a few questions regarding the use of the string loop hooks on the tail piece when changing mandolin strings.
I have always routed both my E and A strings straight up from the hooks, not using the lower hooks. It once again came to mind the question of why some mandolins have the E and A strings hooping on the lower hooks of the tail piece, making their sharp bend around the upper hook and then up to the saddle/ bridge area and so on. Here are my questions:
Is there a "right or wrong" way between the two methods of restringing?
Is there an ONLY WAY you should be stringing a mandolin?
"Pros and Cons" with either method?
Does one way or the other "shorten or prolong" string life (breakage) ? If I've ever (rarely) experienced any string breakage it has never been in the loop/hook area but mostly around the bridge area.
I'm also curious about the possible strain put on the 45 degree bend at the upper hook figuring that's most likely where the string would probably weaken and break.
And finally, does one way or the other make any difference in tone or projection or there's no effect at all?
I know I could easily experiment this myself but I'm seeking input from folks who've experienced trying either methods and have you benefited sticking with one method or by changing to another.
Thanks for any input! Sorry for the long post. :mandosmiley: