Hi. This is a follow-up to my post of Sep-10-2017 ("Advice on Instruments in Japan")
As I wrote before, I've been thinking of getting a mandolin because I'd like to get something tuned in fifths and of similar length/scale to my violin. In the meantime, I've been using a friend's mandolin while contemplating what to buy.
Maybe it's just that the loaner instrument isn't very good or well adjusted, but the double metal strings and overall string tension has got me wondering if there aren't special-made mandolins or other mandolin-like plucked instruments that I might consider...
So that the fingering and reaches are similar to what I already know, I'd like something tuned in fifths and close to violin length/scale, as I mentioned. And I'd also like a radiused fretboard. I'm not seeking an instrument that'll cut through a loud band. Mostly, I just want to enjoy playing various things in a small acoustic group, as well as some Bach and other classical music by myself.
Maybe lower tension or some gut or gut&wound strings that might be easier on my 60-year-old fingers? Or possibly even single strings?? Is there such a mandolin or mandolin-like instrument???
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