View Full Version : Converting Mandolin to Mandola
Hey Guys,
I have an F-5 kit that I've recently put a new top on and I'm getting close to stringing it back up. I have been wanting a mandola and I'm thinking of stringing this mandolin up as one.
I understand that mandolas have larger bodies and longer scale lengths, but is it crazy for me to think that I could tune this as a short-scale mandola. Obviously I could use mandolin string gauges for the G-D-A and just find a heavier gauge string for the C.
Has anyone tried this? Does anyone see any problems with doing this?
Walt
man dough nollij
Jun-12-2009, 11:28pm
I've seen threads on this before. The verdict I seem to remember was that the C would be floppy on such a short scale.
Daniel Nestlerode
Jun-12-2009, 11:29pm
Hmmm. I doubt you'll be able to intonate the C course properly.
I did this with my Mandobird and I had to crank the saddle for the C course back nearly a 1/4 of an inch to get to intonate properly. You don't have that kind of flexibility on a standard mandolin bridge.
Daniel
mrmando
Jun-12-2009, 11:36pm
Won't work. Best bet is to string it up and trade it for a mandola.
Gail Hester
Jun-13-2009, 12:35am
I wonder if on the fiddle sites this question comes up wanting to string a fiddle like a viola.:)
I like Martin's advice. There are some nice mandola kits out there now.
Mandolins a mandolas are different designs for a reason. Gibson's original mandola scale length of a less than 16 inches is as short as I would go for a real mandola. The challenge in building a mandola is to get good volume and presence from the "C" strings and the proper scale range is key.
I've been eyeing that Siminoff H-5 kit for a few days now. Are there any other mandola kits that anyone is aware of? Maybe an H1 kit?
That is a good point about fiddles. I've seen several fiidles that have been retrofitted with an extra C string.
I saw a post somewhere that said some mandolas have a 20 in. scale. That seems like to much distance to cover on an instrument that is tuned in fifths. I guess I should probably stay away from mandocellos.
mrmando
Jun-13-2009, 1:15am
I wonder if on the fiddle sites this question comes up wanting to string a fiddle like a viola.:)
You could do that ... just use strings for a 3/4 viola ... but I think the tone would be unsatisfactory.
Gail Hester
Jun-13-2009, 2:07am
I guess I should probably stay away from mandocellos.
Don't stay away from them, just don't string one like a mandola.:))
Lefty Luthier
Jun-13-2009, 10:15am
I have experimented with using mandola strings on a mandolin and never found it satisfactory. Not only is the C string impossible to correctly intonate, the C strings are not pressing evenly on the bridge due to their lower tension and hence it is a bit unstable, ie. your soundboard is going to be lopsided.
Could the C string tension problems be solved with a heavier gauge string?
Lefty,
Did you use mandola strings across the entire instrument, or just for the C strings?
What I was thinking about doing was using mandolin strings for everything but the low C.
For the low C, I would use a gauge heavier than a mandola string, in order to get the tension right.
Kerry Krishna
Jun-15-2009, 9:07am
Walt, it does'nt matter what string guage you use, it just is'nt going to work. See about getting that mandola kit. What you COULDa done though is make a mandola neck for the kit you now have. It would work, but the sound cavity is still not the right size, so it will never sound as good. The lows just would not be there....KK...
Lefty Luthier
Jun-15-2009, 10:38am
Lefty,
Did you use mandola strings across the entire instrument, or just for the C strings?
What I was thinking about doing was using mandolin strings for everything but the low C.
For the low C, I would use a gauge heavier than a mandola string, in order to get the tension right.
Yes all D'Addario J76 strings the only two times I tried this. Never used a heavier pair of C strings. That might work, would at least be an interesting test.
Folkmusician.com
Jun-16-2009, 8:10pm
In the violin world it is common to use a violin as a fractional size viola. A 4/4 size violin is equivalent to a 14" viola (considered a 3/4 size viola). While there are some differences between the two instruments, it is generally considered to be acceptable to restring a violin to make a fractional "student grade" sized Viola. Keep in mind that bowed instrument strings are made specifically for a given scale length, and no frets equals fewer intonation issues. :)