is it possible ...

[germano]

Would it be possible to take an ordinary 4-string bass guitar, change the strings and have a mandocello? Or perhaps even a bass mandolin? Would the frets be in tune or is this just a wacky, you-don't-know-stuffing idea?

'Just asking.

germano
_____

[Polecat]

If you chose strings of the right gauge, there is no reason why it shouldn't work. However, bear in mind that there are good physical reasons (scale length, string tension) why all the other members of the violin family (fiddle, viola, cello) are tuned in fifths, whereas the double bass is in fourths.

Polecat

[Tim2723]

Having never played one I'll ask: Isn't the bass mandolin tuned in fourths too? I seem to recall hearing that somewhere.

[rico mando]

I have done this and it works well but you really have to move your hand up and down the neck a lot while playing

[Jacob]

A shorter scale bass such as the Ibanez Mikro Bass would make this much more player friendly.