Looking for that Mandocello sound

[FadeOutAgain]

I love the sound of the mandocello, its very thunderous and powerful.

I have a very low budget (400-600$)

What what be the best way to get my hands on a 'cello or something with similar sound?

Maybe getting a luthier to do a conversion from a guitar?

maybe all fifths tuning on a guitar?

i just gotta have something with that booming sound!

[Jim Garber]

This thread is still in session, even as we speak.

[Rvl]

I recommend getting an archtop and only putting on 4 strings CGDA
It doesnt require any mods , only ball end strings
I have 2 guitars setup like this

I have tried doing this with 2 12 strings guitars with pin bridges....not so easy.....works a little better putting on a archtop tailpiece
And have tried it with a 6 string.....again not so easy

Thanks

Robert VanLane

[JEStanek]

Wishnevsky. I've never played one and for $600 it's not the cleanest looking thing (so we have had reported here) but it will give you a double course mandocello.

Jamie

[Marcus CA]

I love the sound of the mandocello, its very thunderous and powerful. I have a very low budget (400-600$)

That thunder usually comes from an arched top and carved back, which you're probably not going to find at even double your price range, I'm sorry to say. However, you might be able to find a flat top and back one that will at least give you a sense of what it's like to play in that low register and on that large of a string scale.

[Bill Stokes]

I recommend getting an archtop and only putting on 4 strings CGDA
It doesnt require any mods , only ball end strings
I have 2 guitars setup like this

I want to try this. My old Epiphone (laminate) archtop just sits in its case.

But didn't you at least need a different nut? If not, where do the strings sit in the nut?

[Rvl]

Sorry you do have to replace the nut eventually,but try it out with the original nut
I strung up the tailpiece on the middle 4 slots,the C and A strings saddle slot has to be a cut a bit deeper
You could replace the tailpiece with a bass tailpiece , the string break angle is a little better
http://www.emando.com/shop/strings_cello.htm

Thanks

Robert VanLane