New Mandocello Day!

[29er]

So I sold a few unused guitars and decided I would treat myself to something I've always wanted but can't really even play very well A brand new Eastman Model MDC 804 mandocello. It should be fun making beautiful noise with this beast. I bought an Octave mandolin a few months ago and it has made my mind work as I learn a new instrument. Transferring my mandolin "knowledge" to the mandocello shouldn't be too tough.

[Kerbie]

Gorgeous! I like it. Congratulations. Tell us what it sounds like.

[Mandobart]

Very nice. I've got a 2007 f-hole version. These are great instruments!

[Paul Roberts]

Handsome axe, well-priced for solid wood construction. I'd love to hear a comparison of oval and f-hole.

[Wade Hampton]

I had a Weber mandocello for a few years, but found that anything I could play on it I could play twice as well on my baritone guitar. That’s the advantage of the baritone’s fourth interval tuning over the mandocello’s fifth interval tuning.

But mandocellos are marvelous instruments, and more power to anyone who takes one on.


Wade Hampton Miller

[catt]

Cool man. Love bass clef.

[catt]

Cool man. Love bass clef. Enjoy!

*Er, I guess I pressed a wrong button..

[29er]

Thanks, all. It's been a hoot to noodle around on it. I'm sure most of you understand that even though one may not be able to "properly" play an instrument we may not be familiar with it sure is a blast making it sound good by just finding things that are enjoyable to play. I've blindly discovered new things that make my brain work and perk up my ears. Kind of the same experience I've had with the octave mandolin.

[Wade Hampton]

29er, something I had Bruce Weber do when he built my mandocello is put an octave string on the low C string - so there was the low note plus a higher one that seemed to “clarify” and clean up the sound somehow. That’s something you might want to experiment with after you’ve had the ‘cello for a while.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller

[29er]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

29er, something I had Bruce Weber do when he built my mandocello is put an octave string on the low C string - so there was the low note plus a higher one that seemed to “clarify” and clean up the sound somehow. That’s something you might want to experiment with after you’ve had the ‘cello for a while.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller

Excellent advise. I may do that. Any advise on what gauge for high C? My Eastman is strung with a .022-.074 set.

[Wade Hampton]

29er, it’s been so long since I had the mandocello that I’ve forgotten the exact gauge of the high octave string. Maybe a .048 or .050? Somewhere in there.


whm

[Mandobart]

Originally Posted by 29er

Excellent advise. I may do that. Any advise on what gauge for high C? My Eastman is strung with a .022-.074 set.

Real simple - an octave higher string should be half the diameter of the regular C, which would make it a .037 (which I've never seen) so I'd go .036. Don't use a 048 or .050 - WAY TOO MUCH tension tuned to an octave higher C!

I use octave pairs of the G, D and A of my 21" octave mandolin and octave pairs on the C, G, and D of my 5 course 26" mandocello and follow the thumb rule above.

I had octave pairs on my Eastman MDC805 until I converted it to a 6 string arch top guitar and used octave pairs on the G and D.