It's no secret that I've had the malady, however I also knew that a true mandocello was out of the range of my physical capabilities. I've also had the desire to play fingerstyle for some time, hence my acquisition of some ukuleles, which I immediately strung for fifths tuning.
But my joy was not complete until I had commissioned and received a very special build that satisfied both of these longings at once. The maker, John Weisberg (who also made me my most treasured mandola some years back, pictured below for size comparison), labeled it a "Mandocello-Thing". I had suggested "5-String CelloMandoUkeThing", but I guess the label wasn't big enough!
It's not a double-course instrument, but has 5 nylon strings tuned CGDAE. The sound is mellow and intimate, and I love playing it! Here are some more specs:
Top - western red cedar
Back and sides - figured ovangkol with central padauk strip
Inlaid double-helix rosette
Fan bracing
Neck - mahogany
Nut width 1.5"
Fretboard, "slightly radiused" - black ebony
Headstock overlay & heel cap - black ebony
Bridge - fixed 10-hole tie bridge - black ebony
BWB Purfling and dyed pearwood binding
Frets - 20, stainless steel
Tuners - Gotoh UPTL planetary
Scale - 20" (Yesss!)
Measurements - total length 32", body length 15.5", width 14", depth 3"
Oh, and the case fits like a glove, because I bought it first (it's a Gold Tone Irish tenor large resonator banjo case) and asked John to make the instrument to fit it, and he delivered on that perfectly. It pays to plan ahead!
I had never played on a 5-string instrument of any kind before, only 4 (or 4 courses), so that was my biggest challenge. I underestimated just how much that could mess with one's right hand "muscle memory", and even to this day, accidentally hitting a wrong middle string (confusing the 3rd for the 4th, or vice-versa) is my most common error. But it's met and exceeded all of my hopes and expectations. I've had the new "baby" since last fall, but finally decided to post the happy news and make the formal introduction!
bratsche
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