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Thread: Peculiar Stringing?

  1. #1
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    Default Peculiar Stringing?

    https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...e-a79401229808

    Due at a local auction. The tailpiece appears to have been bodged but I can see no reason to cross the strings at the head other than for decorative purposes. To quote a famous Monty Python sketch "That could cause some confusion!"

  2. #2
    Registered User mandobassman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Peculiar Stringing?

    Not only would that be confusing as all heck, but I would think it would be a great disadvantage for sound. It seems it would add more lateral tension to the bridge slots and nut slots and decrease tension to the soundboard. And, it just looks silly!
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  3. #3
    Fatally Flawed Bill Kammerzell's Avatar
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    Default Re: Peculiar Stringing?

    "Another fine mess you've gotten yourself into Ollie."
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  4. #4

    Default Re: Peculiar Stringing?

    Must have been strung by a weaver.

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  6. #5

    Default Re: Peculiar Stringing?

    Not only confusing, but adding lateral pressure on the nut slots is a bad idea.Many electric guitars are built to make sure that the pull behind the nut is straight. The seller shows their cluelessness by actually advertising the "cross-stringing", especially since it wouldn't change the sound any.

  7. #6
    Registered User Tom C's Avatar
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    Default Re: Peculiar Stringing?

    It makes cross picking easier.

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  9. #7
    Fatally Flawed Bill Kammerzell's Avatar
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    Default Re: Peculiar Stringing?

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom C View Post
    It makes cross picking easier.
    Very easy to see how that would be possible.
    Ray Dearstone #009 D1A (1999)
    Skip Kelley #063 Offset Two Point (2017)
    Arches #9 A Style (2005)
    Bourgeois M5A (2022)
    Hohner and Seydel Harmonicas (various keys)

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  10. #8
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Peculiar Stringing?

    Cross tuning would be a snap!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

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  12. #9
    but that's just me Bertram Henze's Avatar
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    Default Re: Peculiar Stringing?

    Somebody's into merovingian knots...



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  13. #10

    Default Re: Peculiar Stringing?

    I think this was a peculiarity used by Frederick Winslow, the chap who aded his adjustment label and he used it on a number of his mandolins (I believe he used to build his own as well as modify the Dallas mandolins). Perhaps the adjustment label was added when he altered the stringing.

    It is very odd, but then he was from Swindon (North Wiltshire)!

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  14. #11
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Peculiar Stringing?

    I have seen it done on the tailpiece but up at the nut... it is nuts.

    Here you go, for when the image disappears:

    Click image for larger version. 

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  15. #12
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    Default Re: Peculiar Stringing?

    Quote Originally Posted by Seter View Post
    Must have been strung by a weaver.
    Well, Pete did play banjo and guitar, but let's not accuse... Oh, never mind!
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  16. #13
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Peculiar Stringing?

    Quote Originally Posted by EdHanrahan View Post
    Well, Pete did play banjo and guitar, but let's not accuse... Oh, never mind!
    Seeger also played mandolin, a Martin I believe:

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  17. #14

    Default Re: Peculiar Stringing?

    That's just messed up. To make matters worse (if that were possible) it looks like the bottom A string is wound the opposite direction around the tuning peg.

  18. #15

    Default Re: Peculiar Stringing?

    it seems to me to be an altogether pointless exercise.

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  19. #16

    Default Re: Peculiar Stringing?

    or was it designed by Erno Rubik ?

    Dave H
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  20. #17
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Peculiar Stringing?

    Dallas mandolins have some historical interest; I'm not sure whether they're regarded as good mandolins, though.

    Jamie Curtis, a builder here in Washington state, sometimes uses cross stringing at the tailpiece, but not at the headstock.
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