Mandriola / 12-string mandolin machine heads.

[Robb1]

I have had this mandriola / 12-string mandolin for about 40 years, having bought it secondhand in a junk shop in Bath (UK) for £12.50p. It’s clearly hand-made but there’s no maker’s name. I quickly abandoned the idea of having twelve strings on it as it was impossible to keep in tune with the terrible machine heads on it. Nevertheless it’s been good to play as a conventional 8-string. The tuning is easier with the development of clip-on tuners but it still tends to go out of tune. I’d like to try it again with 12 strings but not with these machine heads.

Thus, the real reason for this post is to ask if anyone can recommend me a set of suitable replacement machine heads? The spacing is mandolin standard 23mm and the post height is 20mm with the string hole at about 15mm. The post height isn’t too crucial but the spacing obviously is. I suppose I could use mini-Schallers but I don’t think they would look right and it would be a very expensive option.

Also - any suggestions as to string gauges?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Rob

[Jim Garber]

Too bad this would not work. StewMac 12 string guitar tuners.

It is interesting which tuners you use for the 8 string set up. Looks like you strung the G-strings on pegs 10 and 11; the D-strings on pegs 7 and 8; A strings on 4 and 5; and the E-strings on 2 and 3. Was there a reason for that?

For me mandriola fare useless the same way as American tiples. They never will play in tune. An 8-string is hard enough to keep in tune.

I believe that these were originally meant to be strung all in unison so you would have to buy 1-1/2 mandolin sets. However, if you want to play it with 12 strings I would string the two lower courses with octaves. That would really drive everyone crazy, especially yourself.

Actually, I would probably try tuning it with 5 2-string courses instead -- with a lower C course and just using ten tuners.

[allenhopkins]

Allparts has these. Can't tell about spacing -- you'd need to contact them.

I got ten-string tuners for my luthier-built instrument from Allparts for $25. They're working fine after four years.

[Robb1]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your reply:-

It is interesting which tuners you use for the 8 string set up. Looks like you strung the G-strings on pegs 10 and 11; the D-strings on pegs 7 and 8; A strings on 4 and 5; and the E-strings on 2 and 3. Was there a reason for that?

I can't exactly remember but I think I chose the nut slots which gave the best string spacing and then followed the string in the straightest line to a tuner but the top "A" string tuner was the worst of the lot so I mover that course down one.

Actually, I would probably try tuning it with 5 2-string courses instead -- with a lower C course and just using ten tuners.[/QUOTE]

That's a good idea and i might try it. The neck might be a bit too narrow for single note work. Chords would sound much bigger though.

Thanks again for your thoughts

Rob

[Robb1]

Allparts has these. Can't tell about spacing -- you'd need to contact them.

I got ten-string tuners for my luthier-built instrument from Allparts for $25. They're working fine after four years.

Hi Allen,

Thanks for your reply. I'll give Allparts a look.

Regards and thanks again
Rob

[bbcee]

You might want to contact Dave Hynds at mandolinluthier.com. I've seen restored mandriolas on his site, he may have the set you need kicking around.

[Simon DS]

The head's a bit wide so the lowest and highest strings have quite an change in direction as they pass the nut. I don't know, maybe there's a way to ensure those strings slide through the nut more easily? I seem to remember electric guitars with tiny pulleys on the head?

[Robb1]

You might want to contact Dave Hynds at mandolinluthier.com. I've seen restored mandriolas on his site, he may have the set you need kicking around.

Thanks bbcee I'll have a look.

Regards
Rob

[Robb1]

The head's a bit wide so the lowest and highest strings have quite an change in direction as they pass the nut. I don't know, maybe there's a way to ensure those strings slide through the nut more easily? I seem to remember electric guitars with tiny pulleys on the head?

Good point atsunrise. A new nut, better aligned might help, as might bushes on the tuner posts.

Regards
Rob