Weinstein's mando/cello

[montana]

Aaron is playing tunes on YouTube with a mandolin tuned like a mandocello. Looks like just four strings. Can anyone explain that?

[Franc Homier Lieu]

From the video: "Aaron plays a mandolin tuned like a mandola to kill time while his butler dog makes him toast."

[Franc Homier Lieu]

From this thread http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...ys-TEA-FOR-TWO

"Re: mandolin setup, it's just an acoustic mandolin with 4 strings tuned like a mandola--it's the way Johnny Gimble strings his mandolin."

[montana]

So are they mandola strings but just four? Will the tension hurt a mandolin or does it have to have a special setup?

[JH Murray]

Mandola strings are heavier than mandolin strings, but because he went with just 4, the total load is less than 8 mandolin strings, so it is all good.

[Franc Homier Lieu]

That and, as his videos demonstrate, Aaron has magical powers.

[Beanzy]

That and, as his videos demonstrate, Aaron has magical powers.

Nonsense, it's the bow tie that has all the magical powers, Aaron is merely a puppet under the control of a sentient neck ornament.

[AaronWeinstein]

Actually, you're all wrong. It's the toaster that has the magical powers.

[JH Murray]

Aaron did you have to modify the nut and/or bridge for the heavier gauge of strings?

[AaronWeinstein]

Nope. No set-up modifications.

[Marty Jacobson]

Well done as usual, Aaron. Cool stuff.

Mandola strings are heavier than mandolin strings, but because he went with just 4, the total load is less than 8 mandolin strings, so it is all good.

They are heavier. But the tension is the same. Stringing a mandolin like a mandola shouldn't hurt it. Now, if you were to tune it up to GDAE with that string set, it could be bad news. (Some of the strings would probably break, too.)

[Ted Eschliman]

More here: 10 Questions for Aaron Weinstein

[Beanzy]

Actually, you're all wrong. It's the toaster that has the magical powers.

How fantastic is that?, you've got Gandalfs toaster of awesomeness in your place. Did you buy it at the Baggins clearance sale?

[montana]

Got Aaron's book got mandola strings. Ready to start my journey.