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Thread: Bowlback mandolin Preston-style tuners and interesting bridge

  1. #1
    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
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    Default Bowlback mandolin Preston-style tuners and interesting bridge

    Unusual bridge design, and Preston-style or Portuguese-guitar-style tuners, but only 4 of them, not 8, so unclear how it'd actually be tuned?

    Interesting thing either way...

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-S...cAAOSwiFZc4b3i
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  3. #2
    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin Preston-style tuners and interesting bridge






    I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin Preston-style tuners and interesting bridge

    I would guess that you use one long string for each pair. I am not sure how that would work for fine tuning.

    I love the eBay seller's title for the listing as if SISTEMA BREVETTATO were the name of the maker. It means patented system.
    Jim

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  6. #4

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin Preston-style tuners and interesting bridge

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    I would guess that you use one long string for each pair. I am not sure how that would work for fine tuning.

    I love the eBay seller's title for the listing as if SISTEMA BREVETTATO were the name of the maker. It means patented system.
    With the roller bridge and roller nut, I bet it works great! Not sure where you find the strings, but the strings in each course should always be in tune relative to each other, at least. The question is whether you'd actually like the sound of a mandolin whose strings are the exact same tension - we might actually prefer them a little out of tune with each other, like a piano.

    BTW Preston tuners keep strings rock solidly in tune anyway, I bet this thing is quite stable.

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  8. #5
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin Preston-style tuners and interesting bridge

    Also bear in mind that Preston tuners require a loop at both ends. Portuguese guitarra players have to find a way to make a loop that works and does not unloop. Ron Fernandez has a very informative page on these tuners and strings.

    I guess that most guitar strings come in lengths that are twice what a mandolin would need since they are usually much longer than the scale lengths of guitars.
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  10. #6

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin Preston-style tuners and interesting bridge

    how do you tie two strings to one tuner and get both strings in tune??? having played portuguese guitars the double loops are not a problem . i used to use a nail and a pair of pliers. now i have a portuguese string winder. it ain't difficult. but i really wonder how you get these in tune.

  11. #7
    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin Preston-style tuners and interesting bridge

    Quote Originally Posted by ollaimh View Post
    how do you tie two strings to one tuner and get both strings in tune??? having played portuguese guitars the double loops are not a problem . i used to use a nail and a pair of pliers. now i have a portuguese string winder. it ain't difficult. but i really wonder how you get these in tune.
    The bottom end tailpiece under the armrest has rollers, so the strings theoretically will even up tension and tuning.

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    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin Preston-style tuners and interesting bridge

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidKOS View Post
    The bottom end tailpiece under the armrest has rollers, so the strings theoretically will even up tension and tuning.
    Emphasis added.
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    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin Preston-style tuners and interesting bridge

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    Emphasis added.
    Ah, you noticed!

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  16. #10

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin Preston-style tuners and interesting bridge

    waa???? i'd have to see that to believe it works

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