Mandocello Questions & Answers

Date: Mon, 27 Dec 2004 08:41:14 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Mandocello vs. Irish Bouzouki

Dear Mickey,

Could you explain the difference between a mandocello and an Irish bouzouki? Could a mandocello be used as an Irish bouzouki in a GDAD tuning?

Karl Vargas, Oakdale, CA

Greetings Karl,

There's a difference in scale length and the gauge of strings used...

The Mandocello has larger gauge strings along with a longer scale. It's tuned one octave lower than the mandola at C G D A...hence, it's too far off from the G D A D pitch intervals to use as an Irish Bouzouki. I, personally, would stick with the bouzouki for its dedicated purpose.

Mickey

Subject: mandocello question...
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 23:00:51 -0500

hello,
I was told that instead of buying an actual mandocello, which is intensly expensive, you could buy a tenor guitar and just exchange the nut and bridge on the tenor guitar with those of a mandocello, before I even buy an intensly cheap tenor guitar I would like to know if you, an expert, would give advise in support or against this...
thanks a bundle,
anonymously - Rob Lewis -

Yes, I've heard this before...consider this, the tenor banjo is tuned standard to a mandola tuning of C G D A...only, keep in mind, a mandocello is tuned to C G D A, however, this is an octave lower than a mandola. And, then another consideration would be the fact that there are different scale lengths even though two instruments may be considered tenor scale. I personally would feel like there would be too much tension on the neck of the standard tenor guitar of which was designed to take the tension of 4 strings at a particular tuning...not 8 strings...

I've seen an Ovation guitar that came through as trade, that was classified as a mandocello...it seemed to be priced right. You might want to look for one of these. Keep in mind, Only, it still didn't sound like a traditional mandocello...

Best of luck to you in your research...Mickey

Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 14:24:21 EST
Subject: instrument choice

Hello:

I have an interesting question. I play violin (mostly Irish fiddle) and some guitar and I want to fool around with some Irish tunes on something else. I saw the octave mandolins and am somewhat interested but, how about mandocello? I never used one of these but thought it might have a low interesting sound like guitar. So, for Irish tunes and ballads and accompaniment chording...Octave mandolin or mandocello...any problems with either?

I would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks.... Jim

Greetings Jim,

Well, I personally believe that the Mandocello is more of an ensemble instrument...almost designed for supporting other instruments...yes, I suspect it would work for supporting vocals. Notwithstanding, I believe that the Octave is also in the guitar range and probably more versatile since it also is more of a lead instrument. I've used the octave as a solo instrument extensively. Be sure to check out our video samplers:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page319.htm

I don't believe there would be a problem with either as a solo instrument...I only have more experience with the Octave...and have full confidence that it would work well as a solo instrument for Irish Tunes and Ballads...

Please get back with me if you have further questions...Mickey