Mandola

**Dray** · Jan-23-2006, 12:52pm

My daughter and I were watching a Bon Jovi concert the
other night, and we noticed Ritchie Sambora playing a
mandola. Sounded really coool! Have any of you guys
had any experience playing mandola, and it looked a
little larger than the typical mandolin. Are they tuned
same as mandolin EADG, and could they be to use the
basic mandolin chords? Thinking about buying one
my daugher loved it too, but Bon Jovi much better! LOL

DRay
"Pike County Breakdown"

**bjc** · Jan-23-2006, 1:36pm

Dray a mandola is tuned C G D A. It has the same relationship with the mandolin as the viola has with the violin. At the bottom of the forums list there is one for mandolas and octave mandolins (tuned the same as a mandolin one octave lower). I have a mandola and the chord forms are the same, they "sound" differently...i.e. an G chord shape on Mandola sounds C...hope that helps

**otterly2k** · Jan-23-2006, 1:59pm

So- Dray, to add to what Brian said... you can use the same chord shapes, but they will not be in the same key as someone else playing the same on a mando. However, if you play mostly by yourself, or if you're good at transposing, a mandola may be for you. If not, you might consider a short scale OM instead.

**mandobob** · Jan-23-2006, 2:00pm

Hey Dray,
I have a little thread going myself as a new mandola convert.
I have a low priced Trinty College import and am quite pleased. My mandolin skills were not extraoridnary by any stretch of the imagination, so moving to CGDA was not that big a deal.
If you're tempted to buy online, I strongly suggest you try and find one locally and see how the scale length is for you.

**Stephen Perry** · Jan-23-2006, 2:06pm

Scale around 16". Larger. Different. I have one here now. I like.

**catmandu2** · Jan-23-2006, 2:19pm

I found a used Trinity mandola in a store last week and it immediately captivated me. #I play fiddle and mando, and also a bit of GDAD B/OM. #I really like the deeper tones--being a lifelong guitarist. #Sometimes, the mando seems a bit too small, and the long-scales too big. #I think the mandola is going to be Goldilocks' "just right." #I haven't played any of the shorter scale mandolas, but I liked what I heard from the 17"-scale Trinity 275.

BTW, I just checked out this FOTW video sampler site for the first time and ran across this duet with Mr. Cochrane and Sebie Denson on mandola. This sounds pretty sweet to me. http://folkofthewood.com/page1890.htm

**Dray** · Jan-24-2006, 12:46am

Thanks everyone for the info, and sounds like I may
give the mandola a try. I'm just looking for a new
sound other than basic mandolin. Thanks again!

DRay
"Music City"

**Potosimando** · Jan-24-2006, 9:29pm

I more or less fell into possession a Weber Absoroka mandola a few years ago. #Once a month I have a regular gig in a local wine bar with my guitar/mandolin partner (we do wedding receptions, and so forth, from time to time as well). #I normally play just the mandolin and we get plenty of compliments on our music, but whenever I drag out the mandola for a tune or two, people really take notice--usually enthusiastic applause, followed up by someone coming up to say that the mandola was really cool (usually they call it "that cool really-low-sounding mandolin"). #If you are looking for #a new sound for yourself, coming from a mandolin background, then the mandola is one good and easy way to pull it off in fine style, and with a great amount of fun. #I would highly recommend getting an archtop f-hole mandola for that full and powerful tone--i.e. if you are going to explore the mandola route, then you might just as well get the full hair-raising effect (the flat-tops and oval-holes I have played fall a bit short, compared to my arch-top f-hole). #

Have fun. #I have no regrets whatsoever in shelling out the bucks for my Weber mandola--couldn't really afford the expense at the time, but no regrets then either.

**Dray** · Jan-24-2006, 11:42pm

Thanks Poto.... Real good advise.. Can't wait to start
picking mandola.

D.

**Aehle** · Jan-25-2006, 11:58pm

I picked up an 84 KH-1300 Kentucky Mandola a few weeks back and having a great time with it. It is a little confusing, having played the mandolin for many years, trying to figure out what key I’m playing in.

Keep your chops up!