possible to string and tune a bouzouki like a mandolin?

[kevbuch]

Would any problems occur from this? Thanks.

[kevbuch]

Is it possible to delete a topic? :(

[Pete Jenner]

112706

A frayed knot.

[kevbuch]

Well, sorry for wasting board space with dumb topics :/

[multidon]

There are no dumb questions kev. Nobody knows everything right out of the gate. Short answer is no. Scale length is way too long. Bouzouki is essentially a long scale mandolin tuned an octave lower. One might be tempted to think what you propose is possible because of the octave strings on the lower courses bt that will not work on the upper courses which is why they are in unison. Octave string gauges would be impossibly thin.

Last time I checked board space is essentialy unlimited. Kerp asking questions! Its the best way to learn. Hope this helps.

[kevbuch]

Welllll, let's make this topic useful. What's a decent bowlback mandolin maker? What is a website that carries a good selection of Hispanics? What genres are bowlbacks best suited for? What does the "bowl" do? When is it good/bad to use nylon strings?

[multidon]

Bowlbacks are the traditional choice for classical music. The bowl is just a resonating chamber like any other. The stave construction is a leftover from the days when the lute was the predominant fretted instrument and also shows us that the mandolin has its roots in the lute family. The bowlback is also used for folk and roots music occasionally. For example when you see a modern mandolin being played at a Civil War re enactment it is an anachronism. All that would have been available then would have been bowlbacks.

Bowlbacks can have a very sweet sound but are usually quieter than more modern designs. They also often have a shorter scale length similar to a violin's. Nice examples come from various sources. Late 19th early 20th century models from American makers like Martin Washburn et al are pretty common. It is difficult to find one that does not require some kind of repair. Suziki Japanese examples from the 70's are easy to find and inexpensive. There are still finely made ones made in Europe that are expensive. And occasionally a modern Eastman turns up although they do not make many. There is one right now at The Mandolin Store for around 1700 I think.

Truthfully bowlbacks have their fans and many serious classical players would not consider anything else. But for most of us they just are not versatile or loud enough for the styles commonly played on mandolin today.

Use of nylon strings is not common on mandolins. Even bowlbacks usually use ultra light steel. My nylon string Gypsy was an experimental build specifically designed for use with nylon. It is fan braced like a classical guitar. Putting nylon strings on a mandolin braced and voiced for steel as most are probably would not sound very good.

Do not understand your question about Hispanic web sites. Cant help there.

[Tim2723]

Kev, Don is right. No bad questions. Concerning Hispanic suppliers, the traditional bowl back bouzouki is most strongly associated with Greece. One would need to look toward traditional builders in the Mediterranean for the finest examples. Those may be available from numerous suppliers world-wide, but that's where you'll most likely find out about them.

[kevbuch]

Bowlbacks are the traditional choice for classical music. The bowl is just a resonating chamber like any other. The stave construction is a leftover from the days when the lute was the predominant fretted instrument and also shows us that the mandolin has its roots in the lute family. The bowlback is also used for folk and roots music occasionally. For example when you see a modern mandolin being played at a Civil War re enactment it is an anachronism. All that would have been available then would have been bowlbacks.

Bowlbacks can have a very sweet sound but are usually quieter than more modern designs. They also often have a shorter scale length similar to a violin's. Nice examples come from various sources. Late 19th early 20th century models from American makers like Martin Washburn et al are pretty common. It is difficult to find one that does not require some kind of repair. Suziki Japanese examples from the 70's are easy to find and inexpensive. There are still finely made ones made in Europe that are expensive. And occasionally a modern Eastman turns up although they do not make many. There is one right now at The Mandolin Store for around 1700 I think.

Truthfully bowlbacks have their fans and many serious classical players would not consider anything else. But for most of us they just are not versatile or loud enough for the styles commonly played on mandolin today.

Use of nylon strings is not common on mandolins. Even bowlbacks usually use ultra light steel. My nylon string Gypsy was an experimental build specifically designed for use with nylon. It is fan braced like a classical guitar. Putting nylon strings on a mandolin braced and voiced for steel as most are probably would not sound very good.

Do not understand your question about Hispanic web sites. Cant help there.


That Hispanic thing was a wierd auto correct mistake. It was supposed to say "bowlbacks" not "Hispanics"

I want an o-hole for playing old European tunes and really like the look of bowlbacks. If I can find a well repaired bowlback, would that work well for classical European music?

[JEStanek]

There are MANY old not very expensive $100-300 American Bowlbacks (American Conservatory, Lyon and Healy, etc( built in Chicago and Philly around 1900 laying around. Many of them are still playable (keep to the very light weight strings). This would be a good way to get into bowlback mandolin playing.

I have one that had been restored by a guy and it plays great and is fun to play. For more recent builds, you're limited to ones from Japan (a bit more sturdily constructed), China (Eastman if you can find one), Italy and Germany have their builders, and Brian Dean of Labraid.com in Canada. The latter are all significantly more expensive.

Jamie

[Dan Hulse]

To answer your original question, yes if by "like" you mean GG/DD/AA/EE. You would of course need to tune it one octave lower. Not to mention use heavier strings, esp. if using unison vs octave strings.

[Tim Griffin]

Tune GDAE and capo at 12th fret.