Anyone play a 5-string (10-string) mando?

[jarombra]

I'm curious because I have a few fiddle friends who swear by the 5-string fiddle - now, all of them are old-time fiddlers. So maybe that low-C string has something to do with cross-tuning. In fact, I'm quite sure that's what they use it for more than anything else - a specific drone note. But are there any mando players who are getting into this? I would think chop-barking on a 5-string mando would be totally different, if not impossible.

- J

[Tim2723]

Never played a five course mandolin, but I got to mess around with a cittern once. I had no idea what to do with the C course when chording, and for melody work I had no tunes that needed it. All the Irish trad tunes I know go no lower than the G string of the fiddle they were written on, and many of them don't go below the bottom D of the flute or whistle, so even the G string on the mandolin sees little service for me for melody playing.

I think I understand the concept of trying to combine the violin/viola and mandolin/mandola ranges in one handy package. I suppose if you're playing some genre of music where that's actually important, like mandolin orchestras where all the violins are doubled in mandolin family instruments, but otherwise it holds no allure for me.

[John McGann]

It is fantastic to have an instrument with extended range!

It's pure mandolin on the top 4, pure mandola on the bottom 4. You can play deeper, fatter chord voicings, extend your melodic range lower, be more supportive in a duo/trio setting, you keep your high E so all your tunes and orientation from the mando are in place, play bluegrass, jazz, classical, rock, Celtic, or whatever you want...what's not to love?

[Chief]

I play 5 string electrics- I've got 4 of them. The extra low C is great for leads. You get a more guitar sound- plus the extra range. I've also got a 5 string electric fiddle. I don't use the low C for a drone, but again for more range for leads. I obviously play more electric type stuff. The chording I play on the mando is more of a muffled chop, which sounds great through and amp.

[zekelittle]

I play a 5-string in a western swing band. It is a fully acoustic instrument with Kent Armstrong floating pickup as well, and of course I plug in on stage.

[catmandu2]

Very cool, Zeke. (mine's a guitar)

[Jake Wildwood]

I don't own a 5-string/10-string, but the one's I've played... wow! Loved it. Extra depth is a welcome thing for a mandolin, especially if you like to play low-to-high leads, or simply want to play in C with a more open voice. Not to mention, it opens up different, bigger chords.

[Dagger Gordon]

I've played a 10 string as my main instrument for about 25 years.

I tune the bottom strings to low D. I don't use it for chopping really, but it's handy for rhythm.
I quite often use it as a drone for, particularly for solo playing.

Sounds like this

http://www.paythereckoning.com/DG2.mp3

[zekelittle]

catmandu2.. Is that a guitar converted to a 5-string w/5th tuning?? ..zeke

[catmandu2]

Naw...just plain old jazz box. But I love em...be they big or little :cool:

[swampy]

Hey John. What's with the rotated/offset/asymmetrical f holes. I assume it has to do with the fanned frets, but perhaps a little more explanation or a link if its already been discussed.

Thanks

[jarombra]

John, that picture you posted of the 5-string mando, why are the frets/nut/bridge so fanned like that? Does the low string really require the neck to be built like that? Really pretty mando nonetheless. I gotta play a 5-string sometime!

[John McGann]

Hey John. What's with the rotated/offset/asymmetrical f holes. I assume it has to do with the fanned frets, but perhaps a little more explanation or a link if its already been discussed.

Thanks


John, that picture you posted of the 5-string mando, why are the frets/nut/bridge so fanned like that? Does the low string really require the neck to be built like that? Really pretty mando nonetheless. I gotta play a 5-string sometime!

Most questions answered in this thread. (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51501&highlight=smart+string)

The body offset/holes would be best explained by Lawrence Smart himself; my intuition is that the asymmetry is for sonic reasons, with a 'more body' on the bass side for resonance and vice versa...

There are plenty of 10 strings, especially Brazilian bandolims, that don't use the fanned fret design...it's something that Mike Marshall and Lawrence came up with together, but I actually had the same thought while Mike's was being built- I sent him an email asking what he thought of the concept and he replied 'you got your finger on the pulse, baby!' :mandosmiley:

The idea is to get a 1.5" longer scale length on the low C (about 15.75), so it doesn't 'flop around' and sounds as substantial as a standard mandola, without wrecking the mandolin tone on the top strings (About 14.25 on the 1st course). I think it's very successful; yes, the fanned frets are different and take some getting used to; yes, a first finger 10 string barre at the 1st fret is tough (!) but the tradeoffs are really worth it for the sound IMHO. It's maybe not an instrument for the mando masses; hardcore bluegrass types may not dig it as a main axe, because it's not trying to be a Loar copy, etc. (hey, it's not even an F style!)

It's a natural extension of the mandolin's range downward, which any jazz player will appreciate not only from a melodic range standpoint, but from a harmonic standpoint- having lower range for chord voicings opens up many possibilities; being able to play 5 note chords in a chord soloing context (and/or comping) is a wonderful option with some really fantastic voicings available...

Viva la difference, as they say up there in Canada!!!

I tried Mike's and liked it, so I went for it. Mine is #3, I believe a 4th is being built now...and before too long (say over the holidays) I will record a track or two for the Café to show what a versatile and interesting sound this instrument makes!

[jarombra]

Thanks for the thorough reply John, I can't wait to hear your 5-string in action!