Commodium Mandola

**Chris Hasty** · Jul-28-2012, 9:17pm

I thought I would post this pic as a new thread so I wouldn't hijack the capo thread...

This is my Commodium resonator Mandola (#29) made by Keith Cary. It is the only mandola he has made, with the rest being standard scale mandolins or the odd guitar or two. I got it in February and it's been a joy to play.

I have it strung up with flat wound strings on the 18.5 inch scale. The body is a bedpan with a national style cone... yep I said bedpan for those of you that aren't familiar with his instruments. The deep resonator body and flat wound strings give it a smooth mellow tone, but it really carries across well. The sound is hard to describe, but most people I have played with have been surprised and really enjoy it when I show up at a session with it.

I keep meaning to record a video of me playing it, but I haven't had time. I will remedy that soon though...

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**JEStanek** · Jul-28-2012, 10:36pm

I have serious MAS for one of his mandolins.

Jamie

**Chris Hasty** · Jul-29-2012, 9:00pm

They are very nice to play and Keith is a pleasure to talk with. I am actually talking with him about a second instrument now, a 5 course that would cover the range of both the mandola and mandolin. I will say that the commodium with phosphor-bronze strings has a presence that cannot be ignored when played aggressively.

**scifi** · Jul-30-2012, 8:49am

Is the tailpiece made from an old spoon??????
Pretty innovative. I like that :-)

**Chris Hasty** · Jul-30-2012, 4:08pm

Originally Posted by scifi

Is the tailpiece made from an old spoon??????
Pretty innovative. I like that :-)

Yes it is a spoon. If I had to nitpick and find a downside, the spoon would be it. Only because it makes string changes difficult. However, since I use flat-wounds and spent a great deal of effort finding the "just-right" diameter for each set I seldom need to change them... hope I didn't hex myself on that one!

**Beanzy** · Aug-01-2012, 10:50pm

Great beast that one. I've only heard the mandolin one in action on TouTube.

If he turned the spoon the other way up would it work better in terms of string changes?

**Chris Hasty** · Aug-02-2012, 9:59am

Originally Posted by Beanzy

If he turned the spoon the other way up would it work better in terms of string changes?

It might help string changes, but it would changes the string angle and tension on the cone, which are both pretty critical. As far as I know, this is the only spoon he set up like this so it's no big deal for other models. The rest have 8 holes so they are not paired up like mine. We also discussed the fix for mine, which is no big deal I only need to wait for my next string change... flatwounds last a really long time!