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I have an 8-string mandocaster that doesn't get played much. I think I might enjoy it more if it was a four-stringer.
How practical (or pointless) would it be to try and rig it as a four-string instrument?
Are the technical changes required of the nut and the bridge too bothersome to make it worthwhile? Would the positions of single strings over pick-ups placed for double courses make it even less worthwhile?
ron
It's pretty easy to just remove 4 of the strings as an experiment and not worry about the extra notches in the nut and saddle. Give it a try. BTW - I had a 5 string emando (Mann SEM-5) but found it was too much like a little electric guitar sonically. I sold it and replaced with an 8 string emando which I greatly prefer although I can now appreciate the sound of single string mandolins. Someday I'll get another 4 or 5 stringer.
The magnetic field generated by the pickups are overlapping so you shouldn't notice a signal falloff between individual strings but the signal may not be as strong due to only 4 vs. 8 strings.
Len B.
Clearwater, FL
I have an EM 150 ized A 50 that the last owner had converted to a CGDA 4 string..
(thus eliminating the weak E string output issues )
the 'Is It worth It?' question is for you alone to answer.. :popcorn:
I'd be interested to hear what Soundfarmer Pete has to say :)
I agree just remove 4 strings to see if you like it if you really like it you can always have a new nut made for it and keep your old one incase you want to go back one day
What about the floppy C string issue on such a short scale length?Quote:
Originally Posted by mandroid
Len B.
Clearwater, FL
Its an 0.050" not that floppy (pickup is Magnetic)..
my mandobird is now 4 string. I even removed half the machine tuners so it is less top heavy
Original nut, or new four-string nut, Barry?Quote:
Originally Posted by Barry Wilson
That's a pretty hefty C string Mandroid. I've played a bit heavier on mandola and guitar. I can see where that could work.
Len B.
Clearwater, FL
I find I am now less interested in single-course emando---I like the richer and smoother attack of the doubles, and I use much lighter strings so I can bend when I want. It is possible, with some practice, to either bend the pair cleanly for a small pitch change, or to damp one string and bend a whole step or third. So the advantage of single strings is small and the advantage of doubles significant in offering a different sound and it preserves the mandolin response and feel.
If the gauge ratio for fifths-tuned short strings is around 1.5, like a .040 G with a .026 D, a C should be .061. The problem with short C is the stiffness of the heavy gauge making the tone thudding and the overtones false and harsh.
I found .056 good for matching tension, but nickel-wound strings were dull (Ernie Ball), or even very ugly tone (D’Aquisto). I found that the Ernie Ball stainless-steel wound have good overtones at short scale and heavy gauge. I recommend them for 4- and 5-string emandos. These are not the dark tone of flats, more the twang of country electric guitar. My 5-string set is .010, .014, .024, .040, .056.
For bending and low effort with 8 strings I would say try .009, .013, .022, and .034.
I followed Johnny Gimble's example (from what I read)..
Actually so did the Luthier who did the A50 to EM 150 like conversion
[Included extra sets of strings ]
used a shortened 'Strat' like 4 pole stacked humbucking pickup ..
inset at midpoint between fingerboard end and the bridge.
... which was also unique..
I do tend to take forever to get around to things, but eight months after I asked the original question, I finally removed four strings from the mandocaster.
What a transformation - for the first time, it's suddenly fun to play. At the moment it's still on the original double-course nut, which plays just fine, but I'll surely get a new nut to spread the strings a little better at that end of the fingerboard.
The Almuse pick-up is nicely balanced across the four strings, too.
Now I might even be tempted to remove the redundant tuners. Hmmmm......
+1 on a .056 bottom C, works a charm. I used Newtone nickel wound which give great tone and were easily available for me, but for preference I would probably go with Chromes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Wright
It's about time Ron!!! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron McMillan
Len B.
Clearwater, FL
Guilty as charged, and feeling all the more silly since the 'new' mandolin is so much fun :)Quote:
Originally Posted by lenf12
I put mine back to 8. I just didn't use it enough. I want a 5 string someday
I'll keep that option open, at least for now. The reason I tried going to four strings was simply because I never played it when it had eight, and I've spent too much money on a lot of custom work on it for it to sit doing nothing. So either I enjoy it this way, or I return it to eight strings and sell it on.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barry Wilson
Try it with a slide. Big fun as well!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron McMillan
Len B.
Clearwater, FL
I'd suggest you set it up like a 5 or 6 string uke, regardless, with just 2 or 4 strings paired. I just thought of it...I have a mando kit and I think I just solved my own problems.Quote:
Originally Posted by lenf12
Well you could string it any way you like. As an 8 string mandolin you might wanna consider using these Dragao Attachment 206100 Mandobanjo Strings which have a lower tension to allow bending.